Acoustic Testing is Part of the Package CPS Can Offer
Sound Insulation Testing.
The Importance of Acoustic Testing in BuildingsHere we expand on why acoustic testing is necessary in buildings throughout England, and outline different scenarios where it is carried out.
Sound insulation testing, or sound testing as it is also known, can be carried out for a variety of reasons:
To establish how much noise is coming through a wall or floor. This is particularly important if there are noise issues involving neighbours, or nearby clubs and pubs;
To find out how much noise a floor or wall is letting through before any work is done;
To check how well a new-build or modern property performs in relation to the current testing standards laid down in Building Regulations Part E;
To monitor an office boardroom which suffers from the problem of ‘cross talk’, where staff in neighbouring rooms can here sensitive conversations taking place;
To check on noise levels coming from a business or factory;
To check on the performance of school halls which have a problem with excess reverberation, or require testing in line with the Government’s Building Bulletin 93 regulations.
The type of sound insulation test you will need, and the way in which it is completed, will vary depending on the type of noise issue you are suffering from. This is because there are different British and international standards laid down which must be adhered to.
Once we know the exact nature of your problem we can come up with a test procedure and give you a free quote.
Here are some situations involving common sound insulation problems and the types of acoustic testing carried out to solve them.
Domestic Scenarios
If you are living in a flat and want to have a wooden floor installed, you may need to supply the property’s managing agents with data on the surface’s current noise insulation levels to see if any insulation work is necessary.
We would carry out sound testing in line with current Building Regulation Standards before any work on installing the floor begins. We would then outline your options if any work is needed to cut down the risks of noise being transferred between flats. Some managing agents may ask for post-works tests, which we can also carry out.
In another common situation, people believe their new-build properties have not been properly insulated, as they can hear noise from neighbouring premises. We advise that you ask for the original sound insulation report for your building. It is up to the developer to show that his work meets all the requirements of Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.
If this fails to resolve the problem, CPS will carry out sound insulation tests on your behalf. We will then report back to you, and if your property has failed to meet the required standards, advise you about what work is needed to put it right.
Another common situation occurs when a someone has had a single dwelling or office complex converted into flats, and has been informed that their work needs to meet Approved Document E of the current Building Regulations.
In this case, CPS recommends you employ a professional noise consultant to find out how much work is needed to make the building fully compliant. Once the work has been done you should have a sound insulation test carried out by a company which has been recognised by the Association of Noise Consultants and the UK Accreditation Service.
Assuming the building has passed all the Building Regulation tests, you can forward a copy of the test report to the local building control officer.
Business Scenarios
Boardrooms can suffer from the problem of ‘cross talk’ and personal conversations can be heard in neighbouring rooms.
We would suggest a site visit to monitor the boardroom’s current performance. This would also help establish any flanking paths, which are indirect routes noise takes when travelling into another area. We would then be able to recommend a remedial course of action.
Sometimes companies receive noise complaints from residents who live nearby.
In this type of case, CPS suggest carrying out a Noise Impact Assessment to find out how much noise is escaping from the building. We could use an acoustic camera or sound level meters over a period of time to establish an accurate picture of the situation. This would help us pinpoint the source of any noise issue and to offer advice on how to solve the problem.
A School Scenario
Teachers often cannot hear conversations between pupils in a school hall because of excessive reverberation.
We recommend carrying out a reverberation test to establish the extent of the problem. Our staff would be able to advise you on what work would need to be carried out, including the addition of any absorbent materials, so that it meets relevant standards set out in Building Bulletin 93.