Pre-completion Sound Testing in London
APT Sound Testing has been undertaking sound insulation testing in London for almost 20 years, so we have a massive amount of experience in dealing with the acoustics on all types of projects from small conversions to large new-build developments containing hundreds of new dwellings.
Pre completion sound testing for Approved Document E has been a mandatory requirement since July 2003. All new build properties and conversions that were built after this date require 10% of each party wall/floor construction type to be tested. Sound Testing is to be carried out between pairs of rooms separated by party walls and/or floors. In is usual to test between living rooms and bedrooms, which are classed as the two main habitable rooms; however, other rooms can be used if this is not possible.
Airborne Sound Insulation Testing
The sound test procedure involves setting up a noise source in a room on one side of the party wall or floor and measuring the noise on both sides of the partition. Airborne sound testing may also be required between horizontally and vertically separated pairs of rooms.
The sound tests are undertaken by using a sound source, amplifier and loudspeaker to generate a high noise level in one room (the source room). Noise measurements are then taken in both the source and receiver rooms using a prescribed number of source and microphone positions. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured. From the results, the airborne sound insulation (DnT,w + Ctr) is calculated and compared to the requirements of Approved Document E of Building Regulations.
Impact Sound Insulation Testing
For vertically separated rooms, Impact sound testing may also be required. This sound test is undertaken using a tapping machine that drops a series of weights onto the floor of the upper room. The noise level in the lower (receiver) room is measured for a prescribed number of source and microphone locations. The background levels in the receiver room are measured and the reverberation time in the receiver room is also measured. From the results, the impact of sound insulation (LnT,w) is calculated and compared to the requirements of Approved Document E of Building Regulations.
Acoustic Design for Party Walls and Floors
We also offer an acoustic design service for party walls and floors for your new build and/or conversion developments; this lowers the chance of failure during your precompletion sound insulation testing. We can also offer acoustic design advice if you have already failed your sound testing, to ensure you can make the necessary acoustic upgrades and pass the sound testing at the second attempt. – It is worth noting that many sound testing companies do not offer acoustic advice should you fail the testing.
APT Sound Testing’s quick and professional service ensures that you won’t have to wait too long for your results and sound test certificate. As we use the latest sound testing equipment we are able to offer verbal results immediately on-site along with a full written report and your certificate the very next day. To keep site disruption to a minimum, we also offer ‘out of hours sound testing’.
APT Sound Testing has been in the industry for a long time and we know the importance of your project passing the sound testing so you can achieve building sign off, as its usually one of the last items you need to undertake prior to building handover.
We are a UKAS Accredited Company
Our sound test engineers carry all the latest Norsonic equipment, which are class one rating and all of our acoustic testing/sound testing, is completed to a strict quality controlled standard. We provide full UKAS Accredited sound testing.
To find out more about our acoustic design service and/or UKAS accredited sound insulation testing in London, please visit our website at www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk, alternatively please email us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or call us on 01525 303905 to discuss your needs with one of the team.
