Why choose us?
Contact us now for a local sound testing quote!
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We are a Devon-based, local acoustic design consultancy, alongside our site testing services. We therefore have the design knowledge that other testing companies lack.
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We are a fully accredited sound insulation testing company, through SITMA, a UKAS accredited, testing and measurement association.
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Our local sound testers are highly qualified, dedicated, and provide highly practical and pragmatic on-site solutions where required.
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Our Devon & Cornwall clients always come first. We will offer our best guidance, in the event of any test failures, to achieve full compliance on site.
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We provide highly competitive pricing, and an unrivalled quality of service. Our acoustic testers aim to minimise stress when trying to gain Building Control approval and achieve the on-site performance requirements.
Clear Acoustic Design provides sound testing in line with the following design and regulatory standards, to name just a few.:
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Approved Document E - Residential Building Regulations
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BB93 - School Building Regulations
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BREEAM & WELL - All Building Types
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HTM 08-01 - Healthcare Buildings
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BCO - Office Buildings
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Private Commercial Specifications from Premier Inn, Travelodge, Odeon etc.
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All Other Project Specific Employers Requirements
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Devon and Cornwall Council Requirements
What is a Sound Insulation Test?
A sound insulation test is a method of establishing the as-built acoustic performance of a building, in particular the level of sound that is 'attenuated' from one room, to the adjacent room.
There are two main types of sound insulation tests, airborne sound tests, and impact sound tests. Approved Document E forms part of the Building Regulations and applies to all new-build, and change-of-use residential buildings. This document requires that a set of airborne and impact tests are carried out for every 10 Houses or flats.
Airborne sound tests involve creating a source of airborne noise in one room, using 1 or 2 loudspeakers playing white or pink noise,, measuring that noise level in the source room with a class 1 sound level meter, and then measuring the noise level in the neighbouring room. The purpose of the test is to establish the 'level difference', at each third-octave band frequency, from one room to another. When testing horizontally this will be referred to as a wall test, and when measuring vertically a floor test, however the sound transfer is not only dependent on the wall or floor, but also the flanking sound paths around the main separating element. Flanking sound paths include the potential sound path through continuous external walls, internal walls, through continuous floor slabs, through ductwork and services penetrations, and many others.
Impact sound tests involve placing a 'tapping machine' on the separating floor, and measuring the noise level created in the room below. This is a much more simple sound test as there is no level difference to calculated, it is simply a noise level measurement in the room below the tapping machine. The tapping machine is a fully calibrated instrument that drops multiple 0.5kg weights onto the floor, from a set distance, and in a set pattern.
In summary an airborne test is designed to simulate airborne noise sources such as people talking, noise from a TV, music noise etc. The impact test is designed to simulate impact type noise sources such as footsteps, chairs moving across the floor etc.
What are the Typical Requirements for a Sound Insulation Test?
The performance requirements for sound insulation testing vary for different building types. The most common building types that require sound testing are residential buildings. These buildings have to comply with Approved Document E of the UK Building Regulations. Approved Document E applies to residential buildings, and also schools.
An overview of Approved Document E requirements for residential buildings is shown below.
How Much Does a Sound Insulation Test Cost?
As you might have guessed, the answer to the question is 'it depends'.
The cost of acoustic testing depends on a variety of factors, which include the development size, the number of tests required, the location of the site, the number of site visits required. etc.
For very small developments, where only a small sample set is required, the cost will likely range between £400 +VAT and £800 +VAT. This would be based on only 1 site visit being required to complete the testing.
For larger developments, where there may be hundreds of apartments and/or hotel rooms, or a large school for example, the cost will be much higher. This is due to the extra time that will be required, likely spread over multiple days on site, and the significant extra time required to process the measurement data, and construct the final test report for submission to Building Control or the client. Our acoustic testing team might be on site for a whole week to sign off a large development!
As stated previously, the price is dependent on many factors, and this is only a very rough guide. A fully accurate quotation can be provided that is relevant to your development, just get in touch with our team of sound testing engineers.
0330 043 5493 info@clearacousticdesign.com
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When is the right time to carry out a sound insulation test?
A sound insulation test is highly sensitive to internal ambient noise levels on site, and therefore any construction noise, or any other site noise, must be at an absolute minimum. This might mean telling any other trades to stay away from site for the day so the sound tests can be carried out.
It is important to note that any noise on site will only make the results of the sound testing worse, so it is in your best interests to keep the site as quiet as possible, for the full duration of the sound testing.
The construction of the building must close to completion to be able to carry out the testing as sound will travel very easily through any gaps or holes in any internal wall or floor.
All doors must be installed, including any seals. Plug sockets and light fittings should also be fully installed and sealed as necessary. There should not be any other openings in any walls or floor that will allow sound to travel through the building.
For impact sound insulation testing there should be no final floor finish, therefore no carpets should be laid on upper floors until the acoustic testing is complete. Any resilient layers that are part of the acoustic design should be installed prior to the testing.
It is highly advised that an acoustic consultant is involved in the project before testing takes place, and ideally during the design stage to avoid any test failures. Unfortunately our sound testing team will not be able to magically fix a failed test on site, and remedial works can easily be avoided by engaging an acoustic consultant at the design and construction stages.
If you require any design advice, or a sound testing quote, please get in touch with our dedicated acoustic testing team.