Part E Building Regulations compliance with Metropolitan Insulation Services soundproofing

Those involved with new builds and conversions must ensure that walls, floors and ceilings all comply with the current Part ‘E’ Document.

Airborne and impact noise tests are required on these types of projects and as insulation specialists, Metropolitan Insulation Services is ideally placed to ensure your sound insulation is compliant on all projects.

For your ease and convenience, we have précised the document below. If you have any questions regarding the current Part ‘E’ Document, contact Metropolitan Insulation Services’s experienced team.

Approved Document E ‘Resistance to the Passage of Sound’ 2003 edition plus amendments 2004 (ADE2003), stipulates single figure sound insulation ratings for airborne radiated noise, at separating Part E floors and walls, and for impact radiated noise at Part E floors.

The regulations are divided into four categories, ranging from E1 to E4. However the only requirement for pre-completion testing is to prove compliance with regulation E1.

Regulation E1 relates to protection against sound from other parts of the same building and adjoining buildings. It is relevant to separating walls and floors between dwelling houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes.

The ADE2003 requires at least 1 set of tests to be carried out for every group of up to ten dwelling-houses, flats or rooms for residential purposes, whether they are new build properties or change of use conversions.

Pre-completion testing is not normally required at existing walls or floors in a building subject to material change of use. Testing across walls between kitchens and/or bathrooms is not usually required, and room volumes of less than 25m³ would not usually require testing.

Acoustic Testing

Tests in Dwelling Houses

One set of tests made up of two individual (airborne) sound insulation tests each across separating Part E walls at a pair of living rooms and a pair of bedrooms.

Tests in Flats with separating floors

One set of tests made up of four individual sound insulation tests, 2 airborne and 2 impact, 1 of each being across separating Part E floors between a pair of living rooms and a pair of bedrooms.

Tests in Flats with separating walls and floors

One set of tests made up of six individual sound insulation tests. 4 airborne and 2 impacts as a combination of the tests set out above.

If layouts do not allow full testing as stipulated above, for instance, only 1 pair of rooms in adjacent flats, then the number of airborne and impact sound insulation tests may be reduced accordingly.

New build developments and developments which form a material change of use of the building have different performance standards that must be met.

Download Part ‘E’ Document – click here to read the Part E Building Regulations in full.

If you require more details regarding Part E Building Regulations compliance, contact Metropolitan Insulation Services now.