How quickly can I get Approved Doc E Sound Testing Results?

Where possible, Soundguard Acoustics will provide preliminary test results before we leave the site. We will follow this up with a fully documented and signed report with the ANC online access to your test certificates which will be emailed to you normally within 24 hours of your test. This can then be submitted to your BCO, we can submit the report directly to Building Control if you prefer. Printed copies are available if required.

Approved Doc E - What do the numbers mean?

A sound insulation test of a separating partition will be considered as a pass if the airborne sound insulation is equal to or greater than the DnT,w + Ctr value required for the appropriate dwelling and if the impact sound insulation is equal to or less than the L’nT,w value for the appropriate dwelling. The performance criteria are different for new builds and conversions and also differences may occur due to the use of the dwelling type. 
   
DnT,w is an in-situ measured performance parameter which demonstrates the level of resistance to sound transmission between two adjacent spaces. The measurement will include both direct sound transmission and flanking sound transmission of the construction. Flanking transmission is the effect of sound travelling through the building and may be particularly evident where beams and joists bridge a common partition or along poorly isolated lightweight wall constructions. The DnT,w of a separating wall or floor will typically be of the order 5 to 7 dB lower than the manufacturers specified Rw (single figure quantity of sound insulation) for the single element, due principally to the contribution from flanking sound transmission around the element when it is built on site.

Ctr is the spectrum adaption term. It is a correction attributed to the sound insulation quantity to account for urban traffic noise.

L’nT,w is an in-situ measured performance parameter which demonstrates the level of resistance to impact sound transmission between floors. The impact measurement includes both direct sound transmission and flanking sound transmission.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Soundguard Acoustics or by downloading our FREE developers guide to Approved Doc E sound insulation testing

Where do I find an Approved Doc E Sound Testing company?

Approved Document E states that the sound insulation testing body should be either a member of the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) and have joined their PCT registration scheme or be registered testers with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

Choosing an accredited company under these schemes gives you the peace of mind that your reports will be accepted by all local authorities, building control and national guarantee companies.

By using an ANC member registered under the PCT registration scheme, such as Soundguard Acoustics Ltd, then you will receive a full report including instruction for your Building Control Officer for accessing the secure online testing certificates for your build. Our company, Soundguard Acoustics, will also liaise with and release the report directly to your BCO if required to ensure that they are satisfied with the test selection.

What if I use an unregistered company?

Don’t! The quality and validity of the testing and results may be questionable and may not be accepted by the necessary approval bodies. It is likely that your BCO will ask for further or repeated testing by an accredited test company to validate the results. This will result in delay for your project and further payment to the accredited test company.

How many Approved Doc E sound tests do I need within my development?

One set of 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 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

Contact Soundguard Acoustics today for your advice or quotation for your testing requirements EMAIL

Approved Doc E Sound Testing

Approved Document E – ‘Resistance to the passage of sound’ came into force on July 1st 2003 and provides minimum sound insulation Building Regulation requirement for newly built and converted residential dwellings as well as the Code for Sustainable Homes. Properties include houses, flats, student residences, care homes, hotels and schools.
Approved Document E of the Building Regulations is a government-issued document providing guidance for architects, developers, building control bodies, building services engineers, and others involved in the design and conversion of buildings for residential purpose. The document explains the sound testing requirement and provides advice and details about building procedures and materials that affect test results.
Devon based, Soundguard Acoustics Ltd is approved under the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) registration scheme for carrying out sound insulation testing (Registration number: 194-01) and will carry out sound tests across the South West and the UK.
The ANC scheme is supported by Approved Document E and ensures that sound insulation tests are carried out by suitably qualified and experienced staff, in accordance with the appropriate standards.
The scheme ensures that sound tests are properly traceable, audited and that you receive a fully documented report and certificate which will be easily recognised for approval by your local Building Control department.
If you require further advice with your project or end of build sound testing then please contact us.

How is a build Sound Tested?

Airborne sound insulation test (walls & floors):  A controlled noise is generated by an amplifier and loudspeaker across a broad range of frequencies. The generated noise is very loud and can be in excess of 100dB. Initial measurements are taken using a Sound Level Meter within the ‘source room’ followed by further measurements in the ‘receiver room’ on the other side of the wall or floor under investigation. The source room speaker position is then changed and the measurements repeated either side of the partition under test.

Background noise measurements are made using a sound level meter in the receiving room and are used to apply appropriate corrections for external sound such as traffic noise. Similarly the reverberation time (the time taken for sound to decay by 60dB) is measured within the receiving room using the sound source and a sound level meter to determine the corrections that must be applied to account for the characteristics and absorptiveness of the room. 

The difference in the two airborne noise levels (for walls and floors), corrected for background and reverberation characteristics determines the airborne sound insulation performance of the wall, or floor. A greater airborne noise difference between the source room and the receiver room determines a higher airborne sound insulation performance.

Impact sound transmission test (floors only):  This test is different, a calibrated ‘tapping machine’ which comprises of five 'hammers' driven up and down by a cam and electric motor is used to "tap" the floor surface by applying a known force on the floor structure. The machine is placed in several pre-determined positions. The resulting noise is measured in the dwelling below, using a sound level meter.

Background noise measurements are made using a sound level meter in the receiving room and are used to apply appropriate corrections for external sound such as traffic noise. Similarly the reverberation time (the time taken for sound to decay by 60dB) is measured within the receiving room using the sound source and a sound level meter to determine the corrections that must be applied to account for the characteristics and absorptiveness of the room. 

The measured noise levels in the receiving room (for impact floors tests), corrected for background and reverberation characteristics determines the impact sound insulation performance of the floor. For the impact noise the lower the measured level, the better the performance as less sound is being transmitted into the dwelling below.

How do I pass a Sound Test?

Performance in builds varies for many reasons. Assuming correct designs and material selection, the most common factor influencing performance is poor workmanship. Detailing is critical to maximising on site performance, especially in floor isolation and appropriate party wall construction.

Soundguard Acoustics recommend that you appoint our expert acoustic consultants at the start of your project to review the designs, and then also to carry out on site inspections during the build process to check specifically for any workmanship issues that could cause problems when it comes to sound testing. Soundguard Acoustics can provide routine review of basic plans to complex computer modelled partition designs to predict the completed performance.

 If you would like Soundguard Acoustics to review your designs and proposals or to comment on their suitability, then please speak to us about our acoustic design advice service. This is a relatively inexpensive option that can avoid sound testing failures which result in expensive remedial treatment and delay in your project.

What do I do if the test fails?

In line with the regulations you are required to carry out remedial works to ensure the development meets the relevant performance requirements and re-test. If you don't know what to do by way of remedial works then Soundguard Acoustics can advise you. You may also be asked by Building Control to test further examples of the construction elsewhere on the development in order to restore confidence and/or highlight the extent of the problem.