Sound Insulation Testing
Enhance Acoustics are qualified and experienced professionals when it comes to airborne and impact sound insulation testing to prove compliance with the requirements of the Building Control Regulations, Technical Guidance Document E: Sound 2014.
As full members of the Institute of Acoustics (IoA) and the Association of Acoustic Consultants Ireland (AACI) Enhance Acoustics exceed the requirements of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 for airborne and impact sound insulation testing to be carried out by a person deemed competent in the area of sound insulation testing. In addition to our professional memberships we have also complete Advanced Sound Insulation Testing Techniques through the SRL.
The sections below aim to answer the most commonly asked questions we come across in relation to the Building Control Regulations, Technical Guidance Document E: Sound 2014. If you have any further questions you can always contact us by clicking here.
What are the requirements for sound insulation testing?
The building control regulations Technical Guidance Document Part E 2014, states that from the 1st of June 2015 all new attached dwellings, apartments or material change of use that results in a building (or part thereof) becoming used as one or more dwellings are subject to airborne and impact sound insulation testing to prove compliance to the minimum sound insulation performance standards as detailed in Table 1 of TGD Part E: 2014. See Table 1 below.
| Separating Construction | Airborne Sound Insulation | Airborne Sound Insulation |
|---|---|---|
Walls | 53dB Dnt.w | Two |
Floors | 53dB Dnt.w | 58dB L'nT.w |
How do we know our design complies with
TGD Part E: Sound?
For new dwellings, where the relevant walls and floors are:
a) designed and constructed using acceptable constructions as detailed in Sections 3 and 4 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 and
b) demonstrate by testing in accordance with Section 2 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 to meet the performance levels of Table 1 as detailed above,
this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the requirement of Building Control Regulations, Regulation E1.
How many sound insulation tests are required to satisfy the requirements of TGD Part E: Sound 2014?
Table 3A of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 details the required minimum frequency of testing per group or sub-group of dwelling types where separating wall and floor construction types detailed in Sections 3 and 4 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 are used. The frequency of testing is detailed in the table below.
For new dwellings, where the relevant walls and floors are:
a) designed and constructed using acceptable constructions as detailed in Sections 3 and 4 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 and
b) demonstrate by testing in accordance with Section 2 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 to meet the performance levels of Table 1 as detailed above,
this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with the requirement of Building Control Regulations, Regulation E1.
| Number of attached dwellings | Sets of Tests required |
|---|---|
4 or less | At least 1 |
Greater than 4 but less than or equal to 20 | At least 2 |
Greater than 20 but less than or equal to 40 | At least 2 + 10% x No. of attached dwellings greater than 20 |
Greater than 40 but less than or equal to 100 | At least 4 + 10% x No. of attached dwellings greater than 40 |
More than 100 | At least 7 + 10% x No. of attached dwellings greater than 100 |
When should sound insulation testing be conducted?
At least one set of tests should be undertaken on a dwelling group or sub-group within the first four dwellings (of that group or sub group) which are planned for completion.
Testing is to be conducted when the units are in a finished and unfurnished condition.
Testing should be conducted more frequently at the beginning of a series of completions than towards the end, to allow any potential problems to be addressed at an early stage. On large developments testing should be carried out over a substantial part of the construction period.
What happens if a sound insulation test fails?
A set of tests is deemed to have failed if any of the individual tests of airborne or impact sound insulation fail to meet the minimum requirements as set out in Table 1 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014
When a failed test occurs, remedial works to the failed element should be undertaken until the element at least meets the minimum performance requirements of Table 1 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014 when retested. Dwellings on the same site completed prior to the failed test (excluding those proven acceptable by previous tests) should either have similar remedial work carried out or demonstrate by testing that they meet the performance levels of Table 1 of TGD Part E: Sound 2014
Contact Us
If you have any questions in relation the Building Control Regulations Technical Guidance Document Part E: Sound 2014 please do not hesitate to contact us.
We offer a full suite of services in relation to TGD Part E: Sound which includes
- Design Compliance Verification
- Construction phase inspection and compliance
- Pre Completion airborne and impact sound insulation testing and certification
Contact us today for a free consultation and quotation.
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