11.3.6 Acoustic performance
Volumetric system walls and floors shall have adequate resistance to the passage of sound.
Separating walls and floors
Separating walls and floors should be in accordance with Building Regulations and the design. Care should be taken to avoid gaps:
- between mineral wool quilt or batts
- between internal lining board layers
- between cavity barriers
- around openings for services.
Walls and floors in volumetric units will commonly be of complex construction and independent test evidence of acoustic performance or assessment by a suitably qualified expert should be provided prior to construction and detailed in the System Manual. Values derived from partition manufacturers data may not be appropriate to determine the sound performance of the wall construction where additional structural elements are included in the wall, or the panel serves as an infill.
Bedrooms and rooms containing a WC
The construction of internal walls should comply with Building Regulations, including the recommended sound reduction between bedrooms and rooms that include a WC and:
- living rooms
- dining rooms
- studies
- bedrooms, except where the WC is an ensuite serving that bedroom.
Proprietary partitions
Proprietary partitions should be independently assessed or tested for ‘sound transmission’ performance in compliance with Technical Requirement R3.
Sound insulation of SVPs and soil pipes in floor voids
All soil pipes running horizontally through a floor void above or below a habitable room should be wrapped in at least 25mm of mineral wool (10kg/m³ min) and be adequately supported to avoid contact with the floor decking or ceiling.
Sound insulation should be provided to soil pipes passing through homes by an encased boxing, using lining materials (minimum 15kg/m²) and wrapping the pipe with a minimum 25mm of unfaced mineral fibre (10kg/m³ minimum). The insulation should be continued through the thickness of each sound-insulating floor).
Last updated: 2nd January 2025