The Importance of Accredited Sound Insulation Testing
No matter whether a dwelling or building has been newly constructed or has recently undergone a conversion to create attached dwellings, flats or rooms-for-residential use, it’s likely that accredited sound insulation testing will need to be carried out.
Sound insulation testing is essential in most cases of new builds or conversions and the main reason to consider having professionals such as HA Acoustics carry out astute sound insulation testing is to make sure that walls and floors are attenuating (also known as reducing) an acceptable amount of noise. This includes having the various walls and floors that sit between adjoining dwellings acutely tested.
Why Is Accredited Soundproofing Important?
Accredited soundproofing is carried out to ensure that contractors are meeting the requirements of Part E of the Building Regulations. It is an essential task that shouldn’t, under any circumstances, be overlooked.
Achieving good soundproofing between rooms or even entire houses and flats is essential when it comes to building, as undoubtedly, nobody wants to hear their neighbours through a poorly soundproofed wall. Poor sound insulation is a problem that plagues many dwellings, both little and large, so it’s important to prevent this issue from the get-go.
Contact us online or call 0203 371 9801 now to find out more about accredited sound insulation testing.
How Does Sounds Insulation Testing Work?
The accredited sound insulation testing process is carried out easily and is very straightforward. But only fully trained, UKAS accredited sound insulation test engineers can carry out the testing, so always opt for professionals such as ourselves.
What Does Sound Insulation testing Involve?
Often known as pre-completion testing, sound insulation testing is when an internal acoustic performance testing of separating floors and walls is carried out. A sound insulation test report should always be provided in an easy to read format, ensuring contractors and local authorities or private building control officer have all the necessary information.
Accredited sound Insulation testing covers both airborne sound such as loud conversation or music, and impact noise such as heavy footsteps or washing machine vibration. All acoustic performance is tested in accordance with recognised British Standards as set out within Building Regulations Approved Document E.
Why not call 0203 371 9801 to find out all you need to know about accredited sound insulation tests for your property?
The Airborne Sound Testing Procedure
For airborne tests, the first step for the tester is to generate high-level noise on one side of the wall or floor. This is a specific test which is known as ‘pink noise’. First, an initial measurement is taken from within the source room which is then followed by another measurement taken on the other side of the wall or floor that is being tested, which is known as the receiver room.
The difference in the two levels would give acoustic testers an understanding of the airborne sound insulation performance of the wall or floor. Essentially, the higher the difference in the test results, the better the performance.
The Impact Testing Procedure
Impact testing for floors are slightly different. A special machine known as a tapping machine is switched on within the source room. This machine is essentially a calibrated set of small hammers that work by tapping the floor. The level of noise is then measured in the room which is usually located below and assessed to see how effective that specific floor to footfall noise is. The lower the measured level results in a better performance.
Testing Schedule – The Finer Details
With sound insulation testing, only one set of tests needs to be done for every ten flats or houses, if the construction system is the same. But what a set mean? It means that the test should include two locations where the wall or floor is tested. This is the equivalent to two individual tests when it comes to assessing the performance of a wall (but only for airborne performance) and four individual tests when assessing a floor (two airborne and two impact tests). All tests must be undertaken between habitable space such as bedrooms, living rooms) and not to or from common spaces such as stairwells or corridors.
If you need an accredited sound insulation test quickly, we’re quick and efficient too, so if you’re in a hurry or need something done quickly – get in touch online now or call 0203 371 9801 for a free quote!
Site Readiness Checklist
The following points must be answered before deciding whether a site is ready for sound testing.
- Is there power available in the test rooms (110V/240V)?
- Are doors, windows, cornices and skirting boards in place?
- Are test rooms unfurnished?
- Is there a carpet or timber laminates in place (only applicable for floor tests)?
- Are all wall, ceiling and floor surfaces complete?
- Is there access to both sides of the separating wall/floor?
- Will there be any construction activity or other type of noise during the sound insulation tests?
All testing can only be completed on habitable rooms. These rooms include all rooms in the house such as bedrooms, living rooms, lounges, kitchens and other general living spaces.
When is Sound Insulation Testing Required?
The most ideal situation is that a test should be carried out as early as possible as problems are more difficult to fix the further down the line. It’s highly recommended that testing is carried out before kitchens or bathrooms are installed. However, usually, tests can be carried out when the following has been completed:
- All doors, windows and seals are fully fitted and closable
- All electrical fittings are fitted and working
- 240V mains power are available on-site in all rooms
- Gaps in walls and floors are fully sealed
- All walls and ceilings are plastered
- There should be no holes in any floors or ceilings
- Testing professionals will require access to all rooms.
Why Choose HA Acoustics for Accredited Sound Insulation Testing?
At HA Acoustics, you can be guaranteed that we always provide high-quality and accredited testing. We ensure that after carrying out sound testing, our easy to understand report will be accepted by all Building Control Bodies throughout the UK. We will even be able to provide an accurate indication of the sound insulation performance during the sound tests for full transparency.
To find out more about sound testing or any of the other first-class services that we offer at HA Acoustics, get in touch by calling 0203 371 9801.
HA Acoustics provide full service acoustic consultancy and noise assessments
In addition to accredited sound insulation testing, the HA Acoustics team provide the full range of acoustic services including expert mechanical plant testing, noise assessments for licensed premises, noise at work assessments, sound insulation testing and a complete suite of other acoustic testing services that you may require.
Learn more about the UK statutory regulations that our accredited sound insulation testing meets, by reading about UK building regulations on Wikipedia.
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