What is residential acoustics?

The issue of noise within residential buildings is regarded not only as an irritation in today’s society but as a health and safety issue too. Occupants should be allowed to carry out their day-to-day existence, for example resting and sleeping, without deterioration to their health from external noise factors.
How does noise affect residential buildings?

Noise is transmitted in residential building by airborne and impact sound sources. Airborne sound sources include speech, TV noise, music and general noise. Impact sounds are sudden sound sources like footsteps. These sound sources transmit directly and indirectly through a building. Direct sound sources are easier to reduce by treating the problem area. Indirect sound transmission is harder to treat. Indirect sound transmission is more commonly known as flanking transmission. Flanking transmission is indirect sound transmission that bypasses a floor or wall system and travels through any other connected paths. UK Building Regulations require that these noises are controlled to ensure comfortable living conditions.

What can be done to reduce noise levels?

The best way to reduce noise levels in residential buildings is to ensure good quality products are used which comply with UK Building Regulations. The most significant regulations for residential builds are Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Scottish Building Standards (Scotland) and Approved Part G (Northern Ireland). These regulations set out decisive criteria for sound insulation performance for all types of residential accommodation, including multi-occupancy and single dwellings.

Approved Document E (England & Wales) has various requirements relating to sound, and can be categorised into site testing and design requirements. They stipulate that residential buildings should have protection against sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings; protection against sound within a single dwelling (e.g. house); and finally reverberation in common internal parts of buildings containing flats or single occupancy rooms.
The requirements set out above are enforced by two methods – pre-completion testing (PCT) and Robust Details (RD). New build, refurbishment and change of use residential developments that aren’t built by means of Robust Details, require PCT to determine their compliancy with building regulations. These have to be carried out by an accredited acoustic engineer. Robust Details are high quality separating wall and floor constructions that are built to specific requirements set out by Robust Details Ltd, and don’t need pre-completion testing. Builders intending to use any of the RD design details must register the project with Robust Details Ltd and follow procedures issued by Robust Details Ltd.

How to plan for effective soundproofing

Early acoustic advice is crucial. Architects, Contractors and Developers can benefit significantly from gaining expert soundproofing advice in the early stages of a project. By doing so this ensures compliance with UK Building Regulations and Standards, minimises the potential for failures and reduces the need for costly and disruptive remedial measures later on.

The planning and design process requires Designers and Developers to consider the noise exposure of the residential site, relating to both internal and external factors. Internal factors include building layout, separating wall and floor performance, reverberation control and room acoustics, acoustic screening, and protection from communal areas. External factors include outside noises such as neighbours, road traffic, railways and other local influences.

How can Hush Acoustics help with your residential project?

Hush provides comprehensive technical advice and acoustic products and systems that will ensure your residential project complies with all UK Building Regulations including Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Scottish Building Standards (Scotland) and Approved Part G (Northern Ireland), including Robust Details, BB93 and Code for Sustainable Homes parameters.

Hush’s soundproofing systems provide acoustic solutions for separating floors, ceilings and walls in new build, change of use and refurbishment projects, whether it be multi-occupancy or single dwelling premises. Our wide range of acoustic products includes Acoustic Underlay, Floating Flooring, Hush Absorber Panels, Suspended Ceilings, Resilient Bars, Flooring Battens and Supports, Joist Infills and many more.

Hush Acoustics can develop a detailed strategy for your project. Working through your specification and requirements, we can help design a solution that reduces sound control within your residential build, incorporating our Acoustic and Sound Insulation Systems. Our Systems include Floating Floors, Walls and Decoupling Ceilings.

If you need any information on Hush’s acoustic products and systems please contact one of our experienced acoustic technicians on 0151 933 2026.