The introduction of Part E and other building regulations has brought with it a host of new terminology related to acoustics.
The introduction of Part E and other building regulations has brought with it a host of new terminology related to acoustics. Here we explain some of the key ones - new and old - to help people make sense of acoustic products and installations.
Airborne sound
Sound that travels through the air, often related to speech or media
Impact sound
Sound resulting from direct impact on a building element
Structure borne sound
Sound which is carried by the structure of a building
Robust Detail
A construction type that has been pre-approved and found to comply with Part E regulations. This means that pre-completion testing (see below) is not required
Pre Completion Testing
A new requirement to Part E regulations meaning that structures without a Robust Detail will be tested prior to completion to check they reach the required acoustic standards
Resilient Layer
A layer of 'resilient' material (such as Regupol 4515 or 7210C) that isolates an element (such as screed or floating floor) from another element (such as the base floor)
Floating Layer
A surface layer that rests on a resilient layer
Final Floor Finish
Carpet, vinyl, laminate or other top floor finish
Flanking Transmission
Sound transmitted between two rooms using an indirect path, such as the top or bottom of a partitioning wall
Floating Floor Treatment
Often referred to as the FFT. An FFT may use battens, cradles, or platform base - all of which use a resilient layer to provide isolation from the base floor
Internal Wall
Any wall that does not have a separation function between dwellings
Separating Wall
Wall that separates adjoining dwellings
R,w
The measurement used to rate airborne sound insulation of a material or building element in a laboratory
Ctr
The spectrum adaptation term to take account of specific sound spectra, which are predominantly low frequency - only used as a correction to airborne measurements
D'nT,w
The measurement used to measure the airborne sound insulation between two rooms (on site)
D'nT,w + Ctr
See above, but with the low frequency correction factor included
L'n,w
The measurement used to measure the impact sound insulation of floors. L'n.w = laboratory testing
L'nT,w
As above but tested on site
