Evaluating the acoustic performance of residential buildings
Why Choose Us?
Encon Associates provides comprehensive Sound Insulation Testing services to help developers comply with Approved Document E of the UK Building Regulations.
Understanding Sound Insulation Testing
What is Sound Insulation Testing?
Sound Insulation Testing is a mandatory assessment required for all newly built and converted residential properties with party walls and floors. It determines how effective walls, floors, and ceilings are in preventing sound transmission between dwellings.
This type of assessment is critical for ensuring that buildings meet the acoustic performance standards outlined in Approved Document E of the Building Regulations. If you’re working towards BREEAM certification, Sound Insulation Testing can also aid you in achieving vital credits for Hea 05.
Two key types of noise are measured within Sound Insulation Testing: airborne sound (sounds that travel through the air i.e. voices or music) and impact sound (sounds caused by physical objects i.e. footsteps on a floor). Poor sound insulation can lead to noise disruption and disputes for building users, and could also cause delays in obtaining planning permission. Therefore, it’s essential that Sound Insulation Testing is completed early on in the construction process, to avoid any costly delays later down the line.
Our Sound Insulation Testing service
The Encon Associates approach to Sound
Insulation Testing
Our robust Sound Insulation Testing services cover all types of residential developments, including new builds, refurbishments, and conversions.
We begin by conducting airborne sound testing to measure how well walls and floors block sound transmission between spaces, followed by impact sound testing to evaluate how effectively floors reduce noise from footsteps and other physical impacts. We can also conduct pre-completion testing to verify compliance before sign-off, and offer remedial advice and retesting if a building fails an initial test.
At Encon Associates, we understand that every moment is crucial in construction. That’s why we provide rapid testing and report delivery to keep your project running on time and to budget. Whether you’re constructing a new residential development or converting existing buildings into apartments, we can help you meet your acoustic performance targets with confidence.
We partner with organisations like yours
We recently renovated a large early Edwardian home. Part of the planning approval was the need to obtain an excellent rating from BREEAM in our renovation. This covered everything from responsibly sourcing materials to energy efficient heat pumps and solar panels. Not being a developer the whole BREEAM process was very difficult to understand at first. Luckily we had Encon, and in particular, Glenn on our side. They provided invaluable advice and guidance, were reachable all the time and processed everything in a very timely manner. What was important was that we were able to seek their advice and counsel before we made key purchasing decisions. BREEAM is a complicated process and can seem overwhelming if unfamiliar with it. Having Encon on board with us had helped us achieve our goals of having an environmentally excellent renovation of a 1905 house.
Additional services
We offer a wide array of specialist services that complement our Sound Insulation Testing services and are designed to boost your project’s overall sustainability rating.
From Daylight Calculations and Tree Surveys to Traffic Assessments and Indoor Air Quality Testing, our team provides the technical expertise you need to achieve the highest environmental rating possible.
Want to gain environmental credits or need planning advice for your next project?
Call: 0115 987 55 99 or email:
Frequently asked questions about Sound Insulation
Call: 01559 875 599 or email: