{"id":8469,"date":"2022-01-19T12:22:55","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T12:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/createdbyadam.co.uk\/aptsoundtesting\/?post_type=blog&p=8469"},"modified":"2022-01-19T12:22:55","modified_gmt":"2022-01-19T12:22:55","slug":"improving-party-wall-soundproofing-to-pass-sound-testing","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/createdbyadam.co.uk\/aptsoundtesting\/blog\/improving-party-wall-soundproofing-to-pass-sound-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Improving Party Wall Soundproofing to Pass Sound Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"

Improving Party Wall Soundproofing to Pass Sound Testing <\/strong><\/h2>\n

We often get asked by our clients how they can improve the party wall sound proofing (or sound insulation<\/a>) to pass party wall sound insulation testing<\/a>. To try and answer this question we have written the following article explaining the main acoustic design considerations for undertaking and improving the acoustic characteristics of party walls, which should help you pass the Sound Insulation Testing in compliance with Approved Document E of Building Regulations.<\/p>\n

\"Sound_Insulation_Testing_Walls_and_Floors.\"<\/p>\n

As a starting point, you need to consider the following five basic acoustic design considerations, when constructing and\/or upgrading party walls, they are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Increasing mass<\/a> \u2013 such as adding dense finishing boards such as ply, OSB, drywall or plasterboard.<\/li>\n
  2. Adding isolation<\/a> \u2013 such as constructing independent linings, or introducing acoustic brackets, acoustic hangers, or resilient channels, which will help to decouple drywall from the rest of the building\u2019s structure.<\/li>\n
  3. Providing Absorption<\/a> \u2013 such as open cell woven types of material such as RW45 Acoustic Wool Cavity Insulation, which provides a soaking up or absorption of the acoustic energy entering it.<\/li>\n
  4. Providing Resilience<\/a> – There are quite a few \u2018acoustic membranes\u2019 on the marketplace, most membranes are 3-6mm in thicknesses and is commonly installed within walls, ceilings and floors to mitigate airborne and impact sound.<\/li>\n
  5. Providing Stiffness<\/a> \u2013 adding extra noggins between wall frames and\/or floor joists can add stiffness to the overall construction of the party walls\/floors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What is the main reason for party wall sound test failures?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    The are many reasons why party walls may fail the pre-completion sound testing, the main reasons are as follows:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Shared Structural Building Components \u2013 Floorboards, Floor Joists, Continuous Drywall Partitions, Continuous Concrete Floors, and Cement Block Walls.<\/li>\n
    2. Through Structural Steel \u2013 Structural steel beams are often a major cause of noise transmission as plasterboard is often fixed directly to the steel without sound breaks.<\/li>\n
    3. Plumbing Chases \u2013 Junctures between the Walls & Floor Slab Above or at the Exterior Wall Juncture (this should be filed with mortar etc. to add mass to these weakened areas.<\/li>\n
    4. Through Windows \u2013 if they have single glazing, with no double glazing or secondary glazing as a minimum and the windows are in close proximity either side of the party wall.<\/li>\n
    5. Fixtures & Outlets \u2013 Light Switches, Telephone Outlets, and Recessed Lighting Fixtures (if penetrations have been cut back-to-back with the opposite dwelling under test)<\/li>\n
    6. Structural Joints \u2013 Perimeter Joints at Wall & Floor, Through Wall & Ceiling Junctures (these should be filled with acoustic mastic.<\/li>\n
    7. Around the End of the Partition Through the Adjacent Wall (acoustic mastic should be used to seal this junction)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \"sound-testing-equipment\"<\/h2>\n

      A quick way to reduce noise through party walls<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      One quick and simple way to improve the acoustic performance<\/a> of a dividing wall partition, is to install a 70mm met-sec partition in front of the existing wall \u2013 it is usually best to install this in the largest room. Leave approx. 25mm gap between the back of the met-sec and the wall. Then install 50mm acoustic wool (min 45kg\/m3) to the inside of the met-sec frame, then add 1 x 15mm & 1 x 12.5mm layers of soundboard to the outside of the met-sec frame. Ensure all boards are fully lapped and the perimeter joints are filled with acoustic mastic.<\/p>\n

      Preparing the development for the Sound Test Visit<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      To ensure you give yourself the best chance of passing your pre completion sound testing<\/a> at the first attempt you need to ensure the site if fully prepared in line with the following items:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Download our Sound Testing Checklist and action the items.<\/li>\n
      2. The building envelope and internal walls and floors should be fully completed.<\/li>\n
      3. All external and internal doors and windows should be installed.<\/li>\n
      4. All external windows and doors should be installed and closing properly.<\/li>\n
      5. All electrical fittings must be completely in-place, and fully functional. Poor electrical installation can lead to excess noise.<\/li>\n
      6. Standard 240-volt power should be in-place and available in every room. Our testing equipment can be damaged by the voltage fluctuations of on-site power generators, so it\u2019s essential to have 240V mains supply on-site on the day of the test.<\/li>\n
      7. No carpets or laminated flooring should be fitted on the 1st floor levels or above. These materials can affect the movement of noise, and as a result could impact on whether a building passes the sound check test.<\/li>\n
      8. The skirting boards should not touch the floating floor, a flanking strip should be installed to prevent the noise flanking.<\/li>\n
      9. All gaps in the walls and floors should be sealed. Again, noise can leak out through any gaps, affecting the movement of sound and impacting on the space\u2019s performance.<\/li>\n
      10. Access to all the rooms on all levels should be granted to our technicians, with all noise sources (radios, alarms, building work) ceasing for the duration of the test.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        It is essential that you action all the above items, if we are to achieve accurate sound test readings and to achieve compliance with Building Regulations Part E.<\/p>\n

        We can help with your Acoustic Design and Sound Testing<\/h2>\n

        APT Sound Testing can advise on acoustic party wall design to help you pass the sound testing to your London development<\/a>, whether it be a new build or conversion project. \u00a0We are also a UKAS accredited sound testing, so you can be sure of a friendly and professional service providing a \u2018one stop\u2019 solution for all your acoustic requirements.<\/p>\n

        For more information on our\u00a0UKAS accredited sound testing<\/a>\u00a0or acoustic\u00a0 design services, please contact us at\u00a0info@createdbyadam.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0 or call us on\u00a001525 303905.<\/a>\u00a0 Alternately for more information on how to prepare for your\u00a0precompletion sound testing<\/a>\u00a0please download our\u00a0sound testing checklist<\/a>, or visit our website at www.aptsoundtesting.co.uk<\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8049,"template":"","class_list":["post-8469","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nImproving Party Wall Soundproofing to Pass Sound Testing | APT Sound Testing<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The main acoustic design considerations, when improving the soundproofing in walls and floors to pass sound testing for London dwellings.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/createdbyadam.co.uk\/aptsoundtesting\/blog\/improving-party-wall-soundproofing-to-pass-sound-testing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Improving Party Wall Soundproofing to Pass Sound Testing | APT Sound Testing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The 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