The combined building acoustics teams of Brighton and Manchester have carried out their 200th pre completion sound insulation test under the Association of Noise Consultants ADE Registration scheme. This has assisted a large number of developments to be signed off by Building Control bodies. Under the ANC registration scheme there are currently 3000 tests being carried out each month by around 250 testers across England and Wales. Pre-completion testing is requirement to comply with Building Regulations for all residential developments, except where a new build plot is registered with the Robust Details scheme, and undertakes to use the approved standard construction (The Robust Details Scheme is not available for conversions).

Since becoming registered in January 2006, RPS acoustic consultants have been able to provide this crucial additional service to house builders of all sizes across the country.

RPS carried out the 200th test at a conversion site in Margate, Kent. "The walls and floors both passed which is good news. It's not nice to tell builders that they have failed ". The client was Herne Bay based Alandy Investments & Developments, who specialise in converting listed retail buildings into office and residential units. RPS had visited the site pre-conversion and provided advice on upgrading the existing floors, without altering the floor height. This illustrates the value of seeking acoustic consultation as early as possible.

It has not all been plain sailing. The description 'pre-completion' must be interpreted sensibly, allowing that to test the sound insulation, the separating walls, doors and windows have to be complete, correctly installed, and without any gaps. Otherwise, the sound will leak through the gaps and the test will fail, even if special materials or products have been specified. The results are unlikely to be successful if the tests are carried out at sites with doors and windows missing, holes in walls, rooms full of building materials, or missing floors.

As the number of tests has increased, so has the number of buildings that have failed to meet the required standard. Failures are caused by a number of reasons, but the most frequently occurring problems found are poor workmanship, poor junction details and misuse of Robust Standard Details. All three can be avoided by employing an acoustic consultant throughout the design and construction phases of the project.

It is important to note that the cost of remedial treatments for failures is estimated at between £5000 - £7000 per dwelling - therefore the cost of paying for acoustic advice at the design stage can potentially save more than the consultants fees. Remedial treatments, however, are often less effective than having an appropriate design in the first place. Clients should prefer integrated designs, rather than 'sticking plaster' solutions. In addition to acoustic testing services, RPS can provide acoustic design advice at all stages of a residential, business or mixed-use development from initial design, including planning mitigation measures, through design and construction, to remedial advice.

For more information please contact:
RPS Brighton - Planning & Development
T: 01273 546800
RPS Manchester - Planning & Development
T: 01612 379858