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Sound Testing or Robust Details

The Air Pressure Testing Team are regularly being asked how best to comply with the Building Regulations Approved Document E; and whether it is more cost-efficient to opt for pre-completion testing or to go down the Robust Details route.

To try and clarify matters we have undertaken a brief overview that we hope will help answer some of the questions you and your colleagues may have. If you do have any projects that you are not sure of the best course of action please contact Air Pressure Testing and we would be happy to advise you.

We specialise in helping small developers attain Part E compliance by offering design advice for all new build and conversation projects. We offer a very one on one approach with the client unlike some of the larger acoustic consultancies where you can wait weeks just for feedback on small design detailing, which can be cause major delays to your build programme.

Complying with Building Regulations Approved Document E - Pre-completion testing or Robust Details?

Essentially there are two possible routes to satisfying the requirements of Approved Document E (ADE) for new build residential dwellings. These are either commission Pre-Completion Testing (PCT) of a sample of separating walls and floors between dwellings in your development by a suitably qualified acoustic consultant, or you can register and build the dwellings in your development in accordance with your preferred Robust Details (RD) construction types.

We all know that Robust Details is a good scheme that attains high levels of compliance with ADE. However, there are some limitations:

Robust Details (RD)
Can only be used for new build dwellings in England & Wales – they don’t apply to refurbishment or conversion projects, so these must be tested.
Limited flexibility, as separating walls and floors must be built ‘strictly in accordance’ with the details in the RD Handbook
Not all RD walls and floors qualify for Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) credits
The construction can work out very expensive

Pre-Completion Testing (PCT)
Can be undertaken on any dwelling, either new build or conversion, to demonstrate compliance with ADE
Complete flexibility in cost effective design of separating walls and floors (of course, we strongly advise that Air Pressure Testing are brought in at an early stage to advise on the acoustic aspects of the design)
As well as showing compliance with ADE, the test results can also be used for increased award of CSH credits.

If you would like any more information on the above or if you have any questions, need help, advice or a quotation please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail at darren@airpressuretesting.net or call 0777 562 3464 as always we are always happy to help.

Sound Testing - Further Information
For further information on Acoustic Testing please visit the 'acoustic testing page'.

Thermographic Surveys - Further Information
For further information on thermographic surveys please visit the 'thermographic surveys page'.

If you have any questions or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us:

By Mobile - 07967 233836 (available 7am to 10pm)

By Fax - 01582 896 709

By E-mail - info@airpressuretesting.net

APT ACOUSTIC TESTING SERVICES

Air Pressure Testing
Acoustic Testing & Consultancy Services
36 Mayfield Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU2 8AP

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