Pre-completion sound testing
The building regulations establish standards that have to be achieved in the construction of buildings. Part E of the building regulations (resistance to the passage of sound) deals with requirements for sound insulation in buildings, including both new dwellings and the conversion of buildings to form dwellings.
Regulations 41 and 20 require that contractors undertake sound insulation testing for:
- Purpose-built dwelling houses and flats.
- Dwelling houses and flats formed by a change of use.
- Purpose-built rooms for residential purposes.
- Rooms for residential purposes formed by a change of use.
The 'approved documents' provide guidance for how the building regulations can be satisfied in common building situations. Section 1 of Approved document E (pre-completion testing) provides guidance on an appropriate programme of sound insulation testing for a sample of properties to verify that they comply with the building regulations.
Tests are undertaken when building work is complete (other than decoration), but without soft coverings such as carpets on the floors. Tests results are indicative of the performance of other similar properties of the same type and construction. They should be carried out on the first of each type completed, and then at least one set of tests for every further ten properties of each type, as prescribed by the building control body. A set of tests could be a total of two, four or six individual sound tests depending on the scenario.
Depending on the construction type, tests may include a number of airborne tests and impact tests. The approved procedures for testing are set out in Annex B of the approved document.
If tests are failed, remedial work should be carried out, other similar properties tested or remediated, and the rate of testing increased.
The robust details certification scheme provides an alternative to pre-completion sound testing. Users choose details from a handbook, register their plots on the scheme website prior to commencement on site, and notify building control. They must then construct the details in accordance with the handbook specification. For more infomration see: Robust details certification scheme.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Airborne sound.
- Approved Document E.
- BREEAM Acoustic performance.
- Building acoustics.
- Decibel.
- Noise nuisance.
- Part E compliance.
- Reverberation.
- Robust details certification scheme.
- Room acoustics.
- Sound absorption.
- Sound absorption coefficient.
- Sound frequency.
- Sound insulation in buildings.
- Sound insulation in dwellings: Part 1: An introduction (GG 83-1).
- Sound insulation in dwellings Part 2: New-build (GG 83-2)
- Sound insulation in dwellings: Part 3: Material change of use (conversions) (GG 83-3).
- Sound v noise.
- Structure-borne sound.
Featured articles and news
BSRIA Statutory Compliance Inspection Checklist
BG80/2025 now significantly updated to include requirements related to important changes in legislation.
Shortlist for the 2025 Roofscape Design Awards
Talent and innovation showcase announcement from the trussed rafter industry.
OpenUSD possibilities: Look before you leap
Being ready for the OpenUSD solutions set to transform architecture and design.
Global Asbestos Awareness Week 2025
Highlighting the continuing threat to trades persons.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Now available in Arabic and Chinese aswell as English.
The context, schemes, standards, roles and relevance of the Building Safety Act.
Retrofit 25 – What's Stopping Us?
Exhibition Opens at The Building Centre.
Types of work to existing buildings
A simple circular economy wiki breakdown with further links.
A threat to the creativity that makes London special.
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
The smart construction dashboard, as-built data and site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill
An outline of the bill with a mix of reactions on potential impacts from IHBC, CIEEM, CIC, ACE and EIC.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.