Noise control in buildings for residential use in England and Wales are regulated using Approved Document E. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent).

This Building Regulation applies to any kind of new building used as a dwelling, including houses and apartments; and rooms for residential purposes, such as students and nurses accommodation, nursing homes and hotels. It also applies to dwellings that have been created because of a conversion or material change of use. 

The aim of the regulation is to protect residents from the noise of activities in other rooms or adjoining properties.

Part E Building Regulation tests can be carried out in two ways. Via Pre-completion testing and Robust Details.

Pre-completion testing has applied to rooms for residential purposes, houses and flats formed by conversion of other buildings since 1st July 2003 and to new houses and flats from 1st July 2004. Also introduced as of the 1st July 2004, was Robust Details in new houses and flats as an alternative to Pre-completion testing. Learn more.

It is important that all surfaces are treated with sound insulation. E.g. for separating floors, the floor and the ceiling will need to be treated. Property type and construction can vary dramatically from building to building, so our best advice is to always speak to an expert.

Yes. Most building work including new builds, extensions, conversions and change of use require Part E Building Regulation passes. 

One of the common causes of Part E Building Regulation failures comes down to a poor system. Often not enough money has been spent on an effective soundproofing system in the first place. However, if an effective soundproofing system has been successfully installed and the building still doesn't pass Part E building regulations, then this can be due to flanking sound transmission.

Sound doesn't always travel through the building element you are looking to soundproof. Flanking occurs when sound travels along materials shared by adjacent structures. E.g. If sound can't go through the e.g. wall, then it will try to travel up, over, or around the side. Flanking is a common cause of sound test failure in meeting Part E Building Regulations.

Yes, even though the test is carried out in certain rooms, all rooms will need treating. 

Building Regulations is only a minimum requirement. Therefore, you may need additional soundproofing to reduce unwanted noise.