Sound control in the construction industry is vital to ensure that sound does not leak from one room, or area to another. It makes sure that you can’t hear your neighbour’s TV or music, or that the washing machine downstairs won’t keep you awake whilst you sleep upstairs. It also ensures that when you stay in a hotel room, the people in the next room won’t be kept awake by your snoring!

The issue of Sound Control is covered by Health and Safety regulations, which say that individuals have a right to follow a normal domestic life, including eating and sleeping, whilst at home. This covers all aspects of sound and noise.

Airborne sound is the noise you can hear from loud music, the TV, conversations. Airborne sound is meant to be heard, just not from next door! Impact sounds are produced as a result of something working, or moving, such as the vibration of a washing machine, the pounding bass thump from a loudspeaker in a different room, or footsteps and going up and down stairs. In order to minimise the effects of sound from one room, or one building to another Sound Control and acoustic insulation are used. Flanking Transmissions is where noise leaks from one space or area of the building to another, indirectly such as through a floor or wall.

Walls, floors and stairs need to utilise acoustic insulation in order to reduce the amount of sound that can be transferred. In a similar way to energy insulation, the floors, walls and stairs of a building can be fitted with sound insulation. Specially designed wooden flooring, and fixtures are used underneath the actual flooring, so that footsteps and other impact and airborne noise is lessened.

Building Regulations New Approved Document E sets the standard for Sound Control and states how much noise leakage is acceptable. As well as affecting new buildings, these regulations also affect refurbishment work carried out on existing buildings. So, whilst you may not work in the construction industry, you should be aware of Building Regulations E when having work done to your home, or if you are modernising, or renovating an existing building.

Sections E1, E2 and E3 of the Building Regulations, cover domestic dwellings, such as houses, apartments, hostel rooms, hotels, boarding houses, university halls of residence, and residential homes. Section E4 applies to schools.

Pre Completion Testing or new builds and refurbishments must take place so that the inspectors can test whether the Building Regulations have been adhered to. Builders can use Robust Details, which are sound control and acoustic flooring insulation components and accessories that have already passed Building Regulations standards. If the build has been carried out using Robust Details then Pre Completion Testing will not need to be carried out.

Now you know how important Sound Control is, isn’t it time you gave it some more thought?