How not to fail your acoustics test

Failing an acoustics test is not as uncommon as you may think. In many cases, it’s the simple, but avoidable things that lead to failure. The resultant costs and project delays are easily avoided by ensuring that the problem doesn’t occur in the first place.

If the architect’s drawings have left out an important detail, such as independent panels for a lightweight wall, it won’t matter how well-constructed the floor system is, the lack of mass in the unlined walls will allow noise to transfer and almost certainly result in a test failure.

This happened recently when an architect got it wrong by specifying a medium dense, 100mm leaf for the supporting and adjacent masonry walls above the timber floor and ceiling (See case study). To avoid the need for the independent panels on these walls they would have needed to be constructed in dense 215mm blocks!

The prime reason for failure, in this case, was the combination of timber separating the floor with a ‘lightweight masonry’ wall. The sound transfer wasn’t via the floor/ceiling detail but through the "flanking walls".

How were the acoustics improved?

• A costly retrofit of the independent panels to all of the walls
• Walls had to be lined in ALL rooms and spaces
• Bathroom and kitchen fittings were removed to allow the lining
• Compensation was paid to the homeowner for the inconvenience and because their room sizes were reduced.

Getting it right from the word go is key and LABC Acoustics can help in all areas of acoustic design. Get in touch on 020 8616 8120 to request a quote or to discuss your development.

Please Note: Every care was taken to ensure the information was correct at the time of publication. Any written guidance provided does not replace the user’s professional judgement. It is the responsibility of the dutyholder or person carrying out the work to ensure compliance with relevant building regulations or applicable technical standards.