Acoustic Sound Testing

What is an acoustic sound test?
An acoustic sound test is a measurement of how much sound is prevented from travelling from one space to another by separating walls or floors between dwellings.

How is the test carried out?
The test is carried out by creating noise on one side of a separating wall or floor and measuring the level of the sound on the receiving side. Then the amount of noise that is prevented from passing through the separating element can be calculated.

Who needs an acoustic sound test?
Technical Guidance Document (TGD) Part E 2014 states:
2.1.3.1 Testing should be carried out for:
a) new dwellings, and
b) works involving a material change of use that results in a building (or part thereof) becoming used as one or more dwellings.
Further to the above:
2.1.3.4 Testing should be carried out on a proportion of dwellings on development sites as part of the construction process (see paragraph 2.2) in accordance with the procedure set out in Appendix A.
2.2.3.1 Assuming no initial tests have failed, the minimum number of ‘sets of tests’ for each group or sub-group is outlined in Table 3A.

When can the test be carried out:
Technical Guidance Document (TGD) Part E 2014 states:
2.1.3.2 The sound insulation tests should be carried out once the dwellings either side of a separating element are essentially complete, except for decoration.