Acoustic testing (also known as sound insulation testing) is designed to measure the reduction of sound between adjacent buildings. Approved Document E of Building Regulations requires that buildings and developments in the UK have a specified minimum level of sound insulation between dwellings. Acoustic testing became a mandatory test in 2003 when Approved Document E of building regulations was updated.

Under Part E Building Regulations, a sample of units in new dwelling developments and refurbishments will require testing to demonstrate levels of sound insulation unless registration of the development with Robust Details has been undertaken. This has been extended to new schools (BB93) and to developers of buildings where sound might be an issue, for example, hospitals and hotels.

There are two ways in which you can test to achieve compliance. These are:

1. Test to the regime outlined in Approved Document E
2. Opt to use design details approved by Robust Details Ltd.

Build Check undertakes acoustic testing on all domestic, commercial and educational building types. We are accredited by UKAS for Sound Insulation testing to Part E.

Our highly trained engineers have a thorough understanding of current building regulations, so we can intelligently interpret your results and help you reach your compliance goal. We will advise the correct number of tests required and, where necessary, the required increase in performance. In order to do this, we will require the following information:

• GA drawings including construction details for each dwelling
• Floor plans and sections for each dwelling
• Site layout

We offer nationwide coverage and can support you with a quick response, expert advice and a professional service including:

• Flexible testing times to minimise site disruption
• Immediate on-site results
• Detailed, acoustic performance reporting with constructive feedback, where necessary

Testing of Schools and Colleges: - BB93

All new build and refurbished or extended education properties require acoustic testing.

Testing will require a minimum of 25% of the total number of usable rooms to be acoustically tested. There are several tests required, these are:

• Airborne Party wall testing
• Airborne Party floor testing
• Impact Party floor testing
• Reverberation time measurements
• Indoor Ambient Noise Level measurements

Testing of sound insulation is to be conducted in line with procedures in Part E.

BREEAM acoustic testing:

Credits available for HEA05- acoustic performance and POL05- noise attenuation.

• HEA05 credits are awarded if the building performs to the pre-defined levels based on the type and use of each internal space. Testing can include party wall and party floor sound insulation testing; reverberation time measurements and or ambient noise level measurements.
• POL05 credits can be awarded through means of measurement and calculation if the building is within 800 metres of a ‘noise sensitive’ area. The purpose is to reduce the likelihood of noise arising from fixed installations.

Additional services:

• Ambient noise/ façade noise assessments- measurements to assess the likelihood of noise complaints due to external noise and internal background systems e.g. ventilation systems.
• HTM08-01 Health Technical Memorandum- Healthcare construction acoustic requirement testing. Good acoustic conditions improve patient privacy and dignity as well as promote regular sleeping patterns.
• Manned noise surveys- to assess the background noise level of a location prior to building construction.
• Manned noise impact assessments- An assessment of factors contributing to potential noise source complaints and the impact that a noise source may have on the surrounding area.
• Reverberation time calculations- A calculation to demonstrate speech intelligibility in a specific area