To try and help our clients achieve compliance with Approved Document E, we offer the following 4 step acoustic design advice package:
- Site Survey Visits – to let us view the existing site construction. This allows us to check for potential problematic construction such as inclusion of lightweight blocks in the existing construction. It also lets us check that the installation teams are installing the acoustic materials as per manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Sample Sound Testing – of the existing construction. This offers an accurate overview of the acoustic performance of the existing partitions which enables us to offer a targeted acoustic design using the sound insulation performance of the existing construction.
- Acoustic Design Review – a full design review of the proposed developments party walls and floors.
- Pre-completion Sound Testing to satisfy Approved Document.
There are many factors to consider when considering good acoustic design, and they are usually split up into five key factors. If used together or in various combinations they will improve sound insulation properties over a wide range of frequencies. The main factors are:
- Mass
- Isolation
- Absorption
- Resilience
- Stiffness
Also, noise flanking transmission may in some cases be the dominant pathway between adjoining dwellings, especially in existing buildings where you are planning to convert offices/large houses into flats. Here are just a few of the potential noise flanking areas:
- Structural Steels
- Windows built very close to Internal partitions
- Inner leaf of the external wall
- External wall cavities
- External façade or outer leaf
- Roof structure
APT Sound Testing can advise on all types of acoustic design, whether it’s accomplished during initial construction or during a refurbishment/renovation project. We also undertake UKAS accredited sound insulation testing providing a ‘one stop’ solution for all your acoustic requirements.
If you would like more information in regards to sound testing please contact us at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or 07775623464 or visit our website at: www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk