Sound testing

In 2003 the Building Regulations changed with the introduction of mandatory sound testing of 10% of all new attached homes whether new build, conversions or rooms for residential purposes. Builders now have to provide the Building Control Body with evidence of the sound insulation actually achieved in the dwellings. Builders and developers may also require evidence that sound insulation meets the requirements of BREEAM.

Sound insulation testing is the method used to measure the resistance of sound provided by an element of a building (such as a floor or wall) between dwellings. It essentially measures the effectiveness of the sound proofing treatment installed as part of a build or property development.

In order to conduct sound insulation testing the test bodies should be either UKAS accredited or ANC registered. All of PDA’s testers are ANC registered, and will provide the scheme pre-completion sound insulation tests in accordance with Approved Document E and its equivalent.

The short video below highlights the success of ANC registered testers, and why PDA’s testers are an asset to anyone undertaking building work.

As well as noise and sound testing, we also offer air tightness testing to comply with Part L1 A&B of the Building Regulations.

Sound Power Evaluation

When purchasing a machine the customer often wishes to know information regarding the emitted noise levels by way of Factory Acceptance Testing. To control the overall ambient noise levels within a given working environment/production/plant area to below stipulated noise limits, the customer often species that the supplied machinery/equipment is to meet a specific design criteria in regards to the emitted Sound Power Level (Lw) or Sound Pressure Level (Lp) at 1m. In order for the manufacturer to prove to the customer that the supplied machinery/equipment meets the design criteria noise testing is required as part of the final production process. Such noise tests are often referred to as Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).

To comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008 No. 1597 & EU Directive 2006/42/42), manufacturers are obliged to supply the following information within the manual/instructions that accompany the machine.

The A-weighted sound pressure levels at workstations, where this exceeds 70 dBA. If sound pressure levels at the workstation does not exceed 70 dBA then this must be stated.
The LCPeak sound pressure level at workstations where this exceeds 130 dB
A-weighted Sound Power Level (Lw) where the sound pressure at workstations exceeds 80 dBA

PDA are able to test emitted noise levels from machinery/equipment and evaluate its Sound Power Level (Lw) to a variety of commonly requested standards and procedures including:

BS EN ISO 3744:2010 Acoustics. Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure. Engineering methods for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane
BS EN ISO 3746:2010 Acoustics. Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure. Survey method using an enveloping measurement surface over a reflecting plane
BS EN ISO 9614-2:1997 Acoustics. Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound intensity. Measurement by scanning
EEMUA 140
General Requirements of SI 2008 No. 1597
Various other specific noise testing standards upon request