Acoustic Consultancy for Residential Development
We can provide a wide variety of acoustic consultancy services for residential development. This can be as part of the planning application process, discharge of conditions for a development with consent or compliance with The Building Regulations. The acoustic design of residential properties can have a large influence on the quality of the built environment, but must be done in a way that preserves the commercial feasibility of a scheme.
Acoustic Surveys for Planning Applications
Acoustic survey and design work is often needed during the planning phase of a residential development. This can be as part of the planning application, or to satisfy conditions placed on development consent.
A thorough survey is undertaken of all sources affecting a development site. This can include road traffic sound, noise from the use of railways, commercial or industrial noise and any nearby entertainment venues.
There are guidance documents or standards for most sources and we work to find mitigation schemes wherever possible.
An acoustic survey will also include an acoustic specification for dwellings, including glazing, ventilation and building fabric recommendations.
Approved Document E and Sound Insulation Tests
Residential development must comply with Approved Document E of The Building Regulations.
Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound is concerned with the sound insulation performance of separating walls and floors between dwellings, flats / apartments or rooms for residential purposes.
Final compliance is demonstrated by undertaking sound insulation tests (sometimes called pre-completion tests). We are part of the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) registration scheme for these tests, further details of which are on the sound insulation tests page.
We can also provide drawing analysis to ensure that new build developments are capable of meeting these requirements before construction begins. For residential buildings formed by material change of use, we can undertake building investigation and analysis of construction proposals to ensure they can meet Approved Document E.
Approved Document O
All new build residential developments must meet the requirements of Approved Document O on the control of overheating. We can provide acoustic design and test work in compliance with this document at all stages of development. More information is contained on our Approved Document O page.
Acoustic Design and Building Specification
We can provide full acoustic design services for all aspects of residential projects, including precise glazing specifications, identification of appropriate trickle ventilators and construction methods for walls and floors. We undertake calculations using our own bespoke software / spreadsheets to the more rigorous methods of BS 8233 to maximise accuracy. The goal must be to meet all applicable guidelines and standards without spending more money on a build than necessary!
Pro-PG, NPPF and British Standards
We are familiar with all of the latest applicable guidance documents and standards, starting with the overarching objectives of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Guidance documents used in residential survey work may include:
- Pro PG – Planning and Noise
- BS 8233 : 2014
- IEMA guidelines for environmental noise
- World Health Organisation guidelines
- BS 4142 : 2014 for the assessment of industrial or commercial sound
- The Good Practice Guide for the control of noise from pubs and clubs issued by the Institute of Acoustics
- The Acoustics, Ventilation and Overheating (AVO) guide and Approved Document O.
Please contact us to discuss any aspect of acoustics for residential developments
