ACOUSTIC DESIGN FOR PRECOMPLETION SOUND TESTING
It’s extremely important that careful consideration is given to the acoustic design for pre-completion sound testing at an early stage of the design and construction process. It can be very problematic if the building fails the pre-completion sound testing just before buildings due to hand over. To try and reduce the chance of a sound test failure APT can visit site to conduct a comprehensive acoustic design survey and review. We also take this opportunity to meet; the site/project manager, architects etc. to go through the building’s design, site constraints and most cost effective method of achieving Part E of Building Regulations.
Our proactive acoustic design service, takes into account the build-ability, programme time and material cost. We ensure the relevant parties are fully aware of the installation detail required, highlighting possible ‘onsite’ construction problems and their prevention to achieve a successful installation and building sign off.
PROACTIVE SITE SUPPPORT
Once we have completed the acoustic design report our services don’t finish there. We provide the site team with on-going design support. You will have direct contact with the allocated acoustician from the start of the process through to the successful completion of the project.
Once the part of the building is completed we can undertake sample sound testing to ensure the design and onsite construction methods are sufficient to achieve a Part E sound test compliance.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LABORATORY AND ONSITE SOUND TESTING
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to construct acoustic details to the stringent standards of the laboratory. When the construction assembly is tested in the lab, it is also certified and an exact description of the materials and the installation techniques are described in detail and followed to the letter, obviously this should be replicated on the your site as closely as possible. However, it is not always possible to replicate the exact conditions on the job-site compared to the ideal conditions normally present in a lab setting, which is the reason why a 5dB point difference is allowed between the construction design on paper and the actual on site construction performance.
NOISE FLANKING
To try and work out if you have flanking sound you first need to understand how the sound is travelling into your home. It may be coming directly through the separating partition, i.e. wall or floor or it may be coming along another indirect route – called a flanking path. The most common such flanking path is the inner leaf of an external cavity wall.
Problems with airborne and structure borne sound are often associated with direct flanking transmissions through floors and supporting walls and other associated structures. It is essential to establish if your problem is due to direct transmission, flanking transmission or a combination of both so that the most effective remedial treatment can be chosen. If you are unsure where the sound is getting through, then contact us as we should be able to identify the worst areas by undertaking sound testing on the problematic partitions.
Unwanted noise travelling along flanking paths makes the building structure vibrate and this causes the sound to radiate into your room. One solution is to build another wall or ceiling in front of the original, but not connected to it (often called an independent wall or ceiling). APT can help to locate the flanking sound and propose a cost effective design that will satisfy Part E of Building Regulations.
If you would like more information in regards to sound testing please also follow our blog at: http://soundtestinguk.blogspot.co.uk/, or contact us at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or phone us on 07775623464 or visit our website at: www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk