Acoustic Design Service for London Projects
We have a vast amount of experience in dealing with acoustic partitions on large and small scale construction developments. using this experience we offer easy to follow acoustic design reports which helps provide our clients with a helpful easy to follow turnkey solution for their acoustic requirements. We can usually provide considerable cost and efficiency benefits for all our clients’ new build and conversion projects.
In our experience by simply constructing a robust separating wall or floor this may not in itself provide sufficient sound insulation to pass Building Regulations Part E, as the junctions of each separating wall and/or floor with other parts of the building are equally as important and require careful consideration to prevent noise flanking etc. Flanking noise transmission can occur via construction components such as:
The most common noise flanking pathways are as follows:
- Dividing Floor Partitions – Through Floor and Floor Joist Space (if insulation has not been installed or direct fixing to joists without a drop ceiling below the partition under test)
- Dividing Ceiling Partitions – Above and Through the Ceiling Space (where an adequate acoustic break has not been carried on through the ceiling void)
- Shared Structural Building Components – Floor Boards, Floor Joists, Continuous Drywall Partitions, Continuous Concrete Floors, and Cement Block Walls.
- Through Structural Steel (structural steel beams are often a major cause of noise transmission as plasterboard is often fixed directly to the steel without sound breaks)
- Plumbing Chases – Junctures Between the Walls & Floor Slab Above or at the Exterior Wall Juncture (this should be filed with mortar etc. to add mass to this weakened area)
- Through Windows (if they are no double glazed or have secondary glazing as a minimum)
- Fixtures & Outlets – Light Switches, Telephone Outlets, and Recessed Lighting Fixtures (if penetrations have been cut back to back with the opposite dwelling under test)
- Structural Joints – Perimeter Joints at Wall & Floor, Through Wall & Ceiling Junctures (these should be filled with acoustic mastic)
- Around the End of the Partition Through the Adjacent Wall (acoustic mastic should be used to seal this junction)
The overall acoustic design and construction should therefore be considered from the offset and not just the separating wall or floor partitions. Flanking sound transmission through lightweight existing inner walls may be the dominant pathway between adjoining dwellings, when converting existing buildings in to residential dwellings such as offices conversions.
We are UKAS accredited to undertake sound insulation testing of which is done ‘in-house’ which allows us to offer a comprehensive, seamless service from initial design development, without using any outside contractors.
If you would like more information in regards to sound testing please follow our blog at: http://soundtestinguk.blogspot.co.uk/, or contact us at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or visit our website at: www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk