The new Building Regulations requirement for sound insulation performance in dwellings will be introduced this year. In addition to a minimum performance level, it will be necessary to undertake compulsory pre-completion testing. Early attention to acoustic design considerations will lead to cost-effective solutions and the optimum targeting of investments. A failure to meet the requirements could lead to onerous ongoing liability.

Towards the end of last year the Minister signed into law the Building Regulations (Part E Amendment) of 2014. The new law was closely followed by the publication of a thoroughly revamped Technical Guidance Document E (TGD E) Sound. This development, which comes into force on 1 July 2015, marks a major step forward in respect of the control of noise in a domestic setting.

The key considerations in the new guidance are:

• Minimum performance standards to be achieved by every separating construction in terms of both airborne and impact (i.e. footfall) sound;
• A requirement for pre-completion testing to be conducted on completed dwellings in order to demonstrate compliance with the Regulations, and;
• Measures to control reverberant sound in common internal areas outside dwellings (i.e. entrance halls, corridors, hallways and stairwells).

TGD E contains details of a variety of constructions that are capable of meeting the performance standard. However, in-situ performance will still have to be verified by testing. Alternative constructions can be used, although they will be subject to an increased regime of testing. It is possible to avoid this extra burden by assessing and certifying variant constructions as Assessed Sound Details. The guidance places a strong emphasis on the competence of those responsible for the specification, assessment and testing of sound insulation constructions, stating that:

"it is essential that persons are competent in the measurement of sound insulation in buildings, possess sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work he or she is required to perform, having particular regard to the size and complexity of such works".

This approach will work well alongside the Code of Practice for Inspecting and Certifying Building Works, with the results from pre-completion testing becoming a pre-requisite for an Ancillary Certificate in respect of Part E.

About the Author:

Chris Dilworth manages AWN's acoustics team, the largest and most experienced of its kind in Ireland. He has over 25 years' experience as an acoustic consultant and was a member of the Working Group convened by DECLG to assist with the development of the new Building Regulations guidance relating to Sound.

Contact: Chris.Dilworth@awnconsulting.com