Residential Buildings - ADE:2003 (E1)
Approved Document E 2003 (ADE:2003) of the Building Regulations was extensively revised in 2003. A significant feature of the revision was the introduction of a new requirement for pre-completion sound insulation tests (PCT) to be carried out to demonstrate compliance with stipulated performance targets. The new Approved Document set higher standards of sound insulation than its predecessor and also introduced a new spectrum adaptation term (Ctr) that emphasised low frequency sound insulation. This can be significant where lightweight build-types are used such as timber or steel frame construction.
The types of building subject to testing are new build and converted houses and flats, and rooms for residential purposes in hotels, hostels and similar types of establishment.
Any separating elements (walls and/or floors) that fail at the pre-completion test stage must be remedied and retested. Based on extensive experience obtained from numerous field sound insulation tests together with state-of-the-art 3-dimensional acoustic modelling (BS EN ISO 12354 Parts 1 and 2 implemented by BASTIAN Building Acoustics Planning System), the practice is able to diagnose sound insulation problems and provide appropriate remedial advice to ensure compliance when re-tested.
Design advice can also be given to developers and architects during the planning or design stages of a project. BASTIAN modelling enables proposed forms of construction to be efficiently assessed and any unsuitable elements quickly identified and remedied. This prevents potential failures from occurring at the pre-completion test stage, which can be prohibitively expensive to fix.
Acoustic modelling is also of particular benefit in situations where enhanced standards of sound insulation need to be achieved, for example projects subject to Code for Sustainable Homes or EcoHomes ratings. Often, use of the example forms of construction set out in either ADE:2003 or Robust Details Handbook will not provide sufficient sound insulation and thus higher performance forms of construction need to be accurately identified and assessed.
The types of building subject to testing are new build and converted houses and flats, and rooms for residential purposes in hotels, hostels and similar types of establishment.
Any separating elements (walls and/or floors) that fail at the pre-completion test stage must be remedied and retested. Based on extensive experience obtained from numerous field sound insulation tests together with state-of-the-art 3-dimensional acoustic modelling (BS EN ISO 12354 Parts 1 and 2 implemented by BASTIAN Building Acoustics Planning System), the practice is able to diagnose sound insulation problems and provide appropriate remedial advice to ensure compliance when re-tested.
Design advice can also be given to developers and architects during the planning or design stages of a project. BASTIAN modelling enables proposed forms of construction to be efficiently assessed and any unsuitable elements quickly identified and remedied. This prevents potential failures from occurring at the pre-completion test stage, which can be prohibitively expensive to fix.
Acoustic modelling is also of particular benefit in situations where enhanced standards of sound insulation need to be achieved, for example projects subject to Code for Sustainable Homes or EcoHomes ratings. Often, use of the example forms of construction set out in either ADE:2003 or Robust Details Handbook will not provide sufficient sound insulation and thus higher performance forms of construction need to be accurately identified and assessed.
Woodley House, 65-73 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3JP
Telephone 0118 9448 444 Email: enquiries@paragonacoustics.com
