Acoustic design considerations to help you pass your London Sound Test 

We often get asked by our London customers, how they can improve the sound insulation in their walls and floors to pass precompletion sound testing in London.  To try and simplify this, we have written the following article explaining the main acoustic design considerations for undertaking and improving the acoustic characteristics of party walls and floors  to achieve compliance with Approved Document E of Building Regulations.

As a starting point, you need to consider the following five basic acoustic design considerations, they are:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Adding Mass – such as adding dense finishing boards such as ply, OSB, drywall or plasterboard.
                  2. Providing Isolation – such as constructing independent linings, or introducing acoustic brackets, acoustic hangers or resilient channels, which will help to decouple drywall from the rest of the building’s structure.
                  3. Adding Absorption – such as open cell woven types of material such as RW45 Acoustic Wool Cavity Insulation, which provides a soaking up or absorption of the acoustic energy entering it.
                  4. Providing Resilience – There are quite a few ‘acoustic membranes’ on the marketplace, most membranes are 3-6mm in thicknesses and is commonly installed within walls, ceilings and floors to mitigate airborne and impact sound.
                  5. Adding Stiffness – adding extra noggins between wall frames and/or floor joists can add stiffness to the overall construction of the party walls/floors.

APT Sound Testing can advise on acoustic party wall design to help you pass the sound testing to your London development, whether it be a new build or conversion project.

We can help with the acoustic design and sound testing to your party walls and floors.

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 testing to party walls, or you need an acoustic design review on your development, please contact us now or visit our acoustic design page.

We are also a UKAS accredited sound testing, so you can be sure of a friendly and professional service providing a ‘one stop’ solution for all your acoustic requirements.

If you would like more information in regards to sound testing service and/or acoustic design services in London, please contact us on 01525 303905 or info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk, for more information please visit our website at www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk or download our sound test checklist.