Regulations

Everything you need to know about sound and air testing requirements for your development.

Approved Document Part E

When is sound testing needed?

Part E (2003) stipulates that sound insulation tests must be conducted in all residential developments involving party elements (walls and/or floors). This applies to:

All new-build residential developments
Conversions creating adjoining dwellings
Material change of use developments
Hotels & university halls of residence

A minimum sample of 10% of properties require testing, assuming the same construction details are used throughout.

Performance Criteria

Element	Airborne	Impact
Floor (new build)	DnT,w Ctr ≥ 45 dB	L'nT,w ≤ 62 dB
Floor (change of use)	DnT,w Ctr ≥ 43 dB	L'nT,w ≤ 64 dB
Wall (new build)	DnT,w Ctr ≥ 45 dB	—
Wall (change of use)	DnT,w Ctr ≥ 43 dB	—

Approved Document Part L

When is air testing needed?

Approved Document Part L requires air permeability testing for all new dwellings and commercial buildings to demonstrate energy efficiency and limit heat loss through uncontrolled air leakage.

New domestic dwellings (Part L1A)
New commercial buildings (Part L2A)
Extensions over a certain size
Projects requiring an EPC

The design air permeability is declared in the SAP or SBEM calculation. The actual result must meet or better this target.

Typical Targets

Building Type	Typical Target	Best Practice
Domestic (Part L1A)	≤ 5 m³/(h·m²) @50Pa	≤ 3 m³/(h·m²) @50Pa
Commercial (Part L2A)	≤ 5 m³/(h·m²) @50Pa	≤ 3 m³/(h·m²) @50Pa
Passivhaus	≤ 1 m³/(h·m²) @50Pa	≤ 0.6 ACH @50Pa

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