Pre-completion Sound Insulation Testing (SIT) or Robust Details certification is required for all new dwellings constructed in the UK or any conversion that creates two adjoining residential dwellings.
The Robust Details certification scheme provides larger construction companies with an alternative to pre-completion sound testing, where tested and approved design elements “robust details” are specified and a site registration is required.
In this guide, we answer frequently asked questions on SIT and offer advice to ensure your development complies with Approved Document E (ADE) of the Building Regulations.
What is Sound Insulation Testing?
Sound Insulation Testing (SIT) is used to measure the resistance to sound provided by a building element such as a separating wall or floor.
Sound Insulation Tests can generally be divided into two types; laboratory tests and field tests.
- Laboratory test results are carried out in special transmission suites and the results relate only to the test partition itself in isolation
- Field tests, such as between two adjacent dwellings, differ from lab tests because noise transmission through indirect paths (flanking transmission) will also contribute to the overall sound insulation performance between two rooms
Why do I need sound insulation testing?
Sound insulation tests are required for new developments and conversions to demonstrate compliance with performance standards such as Approved Document E (ADE) of the Building Regulations.
ADE requires at least one set of tests for every ten dwellings in a construction group or sub-group. A full set of tests comprises 2 airborne wall, 2 airborne floor and 2 impact floor tests, where it is possible to do them.
Depending on the building layout and number of dwellings, the sound testing scheme will be planned to ensure the right quantity and type of tests are carried out. It is also recommended that the proposed sound testing scheme is agreed with Building Control in advance.
What is involved in sound insulation testing?
Sound insulation tests are conducted and rated in accordance with international standards.
- Airborne sound insulation tests require the use of a sound source, such as a dodecahedral speaker, to generate high levels of sound in the ‘source room’. The level of sound is then measured in multiple locations in both the ‘source room’ and adjacent ‘receive room’. The ‘sound level difference’ is then calculated
- Impact sound insulation tests involves the use of specialist tapping machine. The tapping machine is positioned in the source room (upper room) and the resultant level is measured in the ‘receive room’ (lower room)
There are a range of calculations and corrections such as reverberation time, background level and frequency weightings that are applied to each test (for both airborne and impact tests) to produce a single figure rating. This single figure rating is then compared to the performance standards set out in Approved Document E.
Is my site ready for sound insulation testing?
Sound insulation testing takes place at a “pre completion” stage which means meeting these site requirements:
- The rooms to be tested must be free of all personnel
- There should be no on-site building works at or around the properties to be tested during the works and no building works must be audible within the test rooms
- Rooms either side of the floors should be essentially complete, except for decoration, with all skirting boards, windows and doors fitted (dwelling entry and internal doors, including all furniture and door seals).
- All test rooms should be clean, unfurnished and have no building materials or tools left in them
- Domestic mains power must be available in each test room
- It is a requirement of Approved Document E that impact sound tests should be conducted without carpet on the floor. Should carpet be laid then this should be taken up, if this is not possible then at least half of the floor should be exposed
We recommend that you get in touch with us at an early stage of the development so we can keep track of the development as it progresses, ensuring we can book in site visits in at the most appropriate time.
What if my sound insulation tests fail?
If a sound tests fails, remedial works will be required on the rooms and separating elements involved and a re-test arranged. This can be expensive and time-consuming, so it is best to get the job right the first time by following professional advice early on at design stage.
If we do the test, and it fails, then we’ll do all we can to help you understand what went wrong and how you can remedy the problem.
If you’re not sure whether your development will meet the requirements, Anderson Acoustics can carry out a sample test with design advice to help achieve the performance standards set out in ADE.
How much does sound testing cost?
Sound insulation testing starts from as little as £450 for a small development. However, the overall cost of sound testing will depend on the size and scope of a development (i.e. number of dwellings/construction types) and number of site visits required to carry out the testing.
How Anderson Acoustics can help…
We take the hassle out of pre-completion testing by working as part of your team to keep projects on-schedule and in-budget. Simple and straightforward, our focus on operational efficiency aims to deliver lower cost certification first-time, on time, every time.
Services we provide:
- UKAS Accredited Sound Insulation Testing for Building Regulations Part E, BREEAM and other sustainability schemes
- Air Leakage Testing. ATTMA TSL1 testing for Building Regulations Part L, as well as BREEAM, SAP and SBEM assessments
For more information and examples of how we have helped clients with SIT’s please visit our sound insulation testing page.
Book a Sound Insulation Test – Contact Us Today
Give us a call on 0203 176 7909, or fill in the contact form to let us know your requirements.
