One set of sound tests needs to
be undertaken for every ten flats or houses, provided the construction system
is the same. A set means that the test should
include two locations where the party element (wall or floor) is tested.
This is equivalent to two
individual sound tests when assessing the performance of a wall (airborne performance
only) and four individual tests when assessing a floor (two airborne and two
impact tests). All tests must be
undertaken between habitable spaces (e.g. bedrooms, living rooms) and not to or
from common spaces such as stairwells and corridors.
Approved Document E 2003 states that a
minimum of 10% of all party walls and floors is sound tested for every
construction group or sub-group. This means that where variations in the
construction may occur then further testing may be required.
- Houses: a set of tests would usually comprise of two airborne sound insulation tests of a pair of separating walls
- Flats:a set of tests would usually comprise of two airborne sound insulation tests on separating walls; two airborne sound insulation tests of separating floors and two impact sound transmission tests of separating floors
- Rooms for Residential Purposes: (student residences, hotel rooms & care homes) a set of tests would usually comprise of one airborne sound insulation test of a separating wall; one airborne sound insulation test of a separating floor and one impact sound transmission test of a separating floor
