What is Part E Sound Testing?
Part E Pre-completion sound testing has been a mandatory requirement since July 2003. All new build properties and conversions which were built after this date require 10% of each party wall/floor construction type to be sound tested.
Sound Testing is to be carried out between pairs of rooms separated by party walls or floors. In most cases the rooms that require sound testing will be the two main habitable rooms which would be living rooms and bedrooms. The sound test procedure involves setting up a noise source in a room on one side of the party wall or floor and measuring the noise on both sides of the partition.
Airborne sound tests may be required between horizontally and vertically separated pairs of rooms. The sound test is undertaken by using a sound source, amplifier and loudspeaker to generate a high noise level in one room (the source room). Noise measurements are then taken in both the source and receiver rooms using a prescribed number of source and microphone positions. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured. From the results, the airborne sound insulation (DnT,w + Ctr) is calculated and compared to the requirements of Approved Document E.
For vertically separated rooms, Impact sound testing may also be required. This sound test is undertaken using a “tapping machine”, (as above) which drops a series of weights onto the floor of the upper room. The noise level in the lower (receiver) room is measured for a prescribed number of source and microphone locations. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured. From the results, the impact sound insulation (L’nT,w) is calculated and compared to the requirements of Approved Document E.
Our sound test engineers carry all the latest test state of the art Norsonic equipment, which are class one rating and all of our acoustic testing/sound testing is completed to a strict quality controlled standard. We provide full ISO complaint sound testing. We can also undertake planning noise surveys to your projects to comply with part L as well as part E. We offer both Sound & Air Testing in one cost effective package.
We can help with all your sound testing requirements
APT Sound Testing can provide telephone advice, quote to undertake an acoustic design review of your architect’s drawings to help the likelihood of passing the sound insulation test at the first attempt, reducing the risk of costly remedial works to your project prior to handover. If you require sound insulation to party walls or floors, or you need an acoustic design review on your development, please contact us now or visit our acoustic design page. Also, for more information on how to prepare your development for the sound insulation testing please download our informative sound test checklist.
For further advice on Sound Insulation Testing across the London and the UK, contact APT Sound Testing. Call our expert acoustic consultants today on 01525 303905 or email us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk for friendly advice about building party walls and floors and/or sound insulation testing on your construction project.