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Sound Testing for Ecohomes
Ecohomes is a scheme controlled by BRE (Building Research Establishment) and includes credits for many aspects of the construction of new dwellings.
Requirements for testing
Up to 4 credits are available for sound insulation performance, as detailed in the Health and Well Being section of the Ecohomes Standard. Credit points are available depending on the number of sound insulation tests undertaken on the development and on the results of the tests. Sound testing must be undertaken on 30% of party elements to achieve 2 or more credits.
The number of points awarded then depends on the acoustic test results as the sound insulation performance of tested elements are compared to the minimum requirements set out in Approved Document E (2003 Edition) of the Building Regulations 2000.
The table below is an extract of the BRE Technical guidance document for sound testing.
Criteria |
Credits |
A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the Normal programme of testing described in Approved Document E for every group or sub-group* of houses or flats, and to achieve airborne sound insulation values that are at least 3dB higher, and impact sound insulation values that area at least 3dB lower, than the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E(2003 Edition, with amendments 2004) |
1 |
OR |
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A commitment to use constructions for all relevant building elements that have been assessed and approved by Robust Details Limited, and found to achieve the above performance standards |
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A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on Normal programme of testing described in Approved Document E for every group or sub-group* of houses or flats, and to achieve airborne sound insulation values that are at least 5dB higher, and impact sound insulation values that are at least 5dB lower, than the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E(2003 Edition, with amendments 2004). |
3 |
OR |
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A commitment to use constructions for all relevant building elements that have been assessed and approved by Robust Details Limited, and found to achieve the above performance standards. |
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A commitment to carry out a programme of pre-completion testing based on the Normal programme of testing described in Approved Document E for every group or sub-group* of houses and flats, and to achieve airborne sound insulation values that are at least 8dB higher, and impact sound insulation values that are at least 8dB lower, than the performance standards set out in the Building Regulations for England and Wales, Approved Document E(2003 Edition, with amendments 2004) |
4 |
OR |
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A commitment to use constructions for all relevant building elements that have been assessed and approved by Robust Details Limited, and found to achieve the above performance standards. |
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Default Cases |
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1.Detached dwellings |
4 |
2.Attached dwellings where separating walls or floors only occur between non habitable rooms |
3 |
Achieving the full credit rating for sound insulation testing can provide up to 7.5% of the total credits available under the Ecohomes scheme. This emphasises the importance of acoustics in the built environment as this high percentage will influence the funding provided by the Housing Corporations.
Practical Acoustics can provide acoustic design advice at the early stages of a development in order to maximise the credits awarded for sound insulation performance.
Accredited sound tests are compulsory
It is also important to note that only accredited tests will be valid to demonstrate compliance and that Robust Details registration is not considered sufficient to provide credits. Practical Acoustics is fully UKAS accredited for sound insulation testing and has experience in many residential developments, undertaking acoustic design reviews, sound insulation testing and providing advice on remedial measures.
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