Sound Testing, also known as Acoustic Insulation Testing, is a sound insulation test that measures the level of noise that travels through the walls, ceilings and floors of a building to neighbouring buildings. Sound testing is a requirement for new dwellings in the United Kingdom in order for it to be compliant with Approved Document E of Building Regulations for England and Wales – Resistance to the Passage of Sound. We also offer Acoustic Consultancy Services in other fields.
Our sound insulation testing protocol is wholly compliant with Part E of the Building Regulations and our fully qualified team will complete the test accordingly, working with you to ensure your building receives the best result possible.
Two measurements are required to conduct a sound insulation test – one is impact noise, the noise from a surface impact like footsteps on flooring, and the other is airborne noise, such as the sound of people talking or television noise that is transmitted through the air rather than through the building structure.
During the testing process for airborne acoustic insulation, our technicians will use speakers to generate loud noise over a range of frequencies in the ‘source’ room. They’ll take the measurement of the noise level, then go into the ‘receiver’ room next door and take the measurement again. They then calculate the difference between noise levels, correcting for background and reverberation, to give us our result. The greater the difference between the two rooms, the higher the airborne sound insulation performance.
Typically only undertaken on floors, impact sound testing involves one of our qualified technicians using a ‘tapping machine’ to apply force to the floor structure in various positions in the room. Using a class 1 sound level meter, the noise made by the tapping machine is measured in the receiver building below. The time that the sound takes to decay by 60dB - also referred to as reverberation time - is also measured, informing us of how absorbent of noise the room is. This accounts for external noise such as traffic and lets us know the corrections that need to be applied to get to our final impact testing result.
The sound insulation testing process can go ahead when the development is close to completion, meaning that the power supply and all doors, windows and trickle vents are installed and fitted. The test itself takes under an hour to complete; We will require the site to be quiet for the duration. The technician will be able to give you the initial result almost as soon as they have completed the test, enabling you to keep your projects’ progress going. You should receive the certificates and full report within 7 working days.
If your dwelling fails the sound insulation test, our technicians will assess the situation and be able to advise on the best course of action for you to take at that time.
However, we advise that you hire Best Air Sound Test right from the start of your project. We offer comprehensive guidance and strategies throughout the build process that should prevent the need for any potentially costly corrective measures and ensure your building passes the test, first time round.
Please feel free to get in touch or fill out our enquiry form to request more information or to receive a quotation on sound insulation, airborne and impact testing.
Here at Best Air Sound Test Ltd, we pride ourselves on every aspect of our work. Below you will find information related to our three core service offerings. For anything else you need assistance with, feel free to get in touch.
Being accredited with ATTMA we are able to offer services of Air Tightness Testing for residential and commercial building with the capacity for Level 1 < 4000m3 also Level 2 > 4000m3, according to Part L of Building Regulations.
Learn More
Following Building Regulation it is an essential requirement for working on a new build construction to be provided with SAP calculations and EPC certificates to ensure that new build properties are as energy efficient as possible.
Learn More
+44 74 607 55 537