Please find our list of common questions and answers, to help you prepare for the sound testing:
Q. Is my project ready for a sound test?
A. All plots should be at least at second fix stage – for further details please refer to our sound testing checklist
Q. Will the sound testing disrupt other site works?
A. During the sound testing, high levels of noise are generated but in order to make accurate test measurements, relatively quiet conditions are needed. Anyone working in the testing area will have to leave temporarily and any noisy works in the vicinity of the test rooms will need to be halted. The time taken for sound testing varies with the site conditions, but generally a set of tests on houses and flats takes about one to two hours so it’s over fairly quickly.
Q. Do I need to inform my neighbours of the sound testing?
A. If the building under test is attached in any way to occupied properties then you will need to inform the neighbours. To comply with Part E we need to gain access to the neighbouring properties to undertake the sound test. You will need to ensure that access is provided to the neighbouring properties throughout the sound testing.
Q. Will all internal and external doors and windows need to be fully installed?
A. Yes, all internal and external doors must be fitted and operable prior to the sound testing
Q. What if I only have 110 volt on site?
A. Unfortunately we cannot undertake the testing; we will need 240V to undertake the sound testing.
Q. Can you offer advice on how to pass the sound testing?
A. Yes, we can offer an acoustic design advice service. If you send through the relevant drawings such as sections, plans etc. during the earlier stages of construction, we can look at your design to check if the design is robust enough to pass Part E and/or there are any junctions or details where ‘noise flanking’ may occur. You can then change your design to reduce the chance of a sound test failure.
Q. Do you have a check-list we can download to help us prepare for the sound test.
A. Yes we do, please click on our sound test checklist; this should help you prepare for the testing.
Pass your sound testing at the first attempt
Sound insulation design and testing can be quite complicated but we are here to help. Our acoustic consultancy service is a straightforward way to ensure acoustic performance requirements are achieved in compliance with Approved Document E. By considering sound insulation and the acoustic design within your project from the earliest stages you can have confidence that your project is designed to pass its sound testing at the first attempt.
If you would like more information in regards our acoustic design service or sound testing service, please contact us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or call Darren Direct on 07775 623464.
Alternately, If you would like more information on how to prepare for your sound testing please download our sound test checklist.