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6.3.7 Sound insulation
Walls shall be insulated with materials of suitable thickness and density to provide adequate resistance to the transmission of sound. Issues to be taken into account include:
- sound-resisting construction
- rooms which contain a WC.
Sound-resisting construction#
Masonry separating walls
In England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, separating walls may be registered and built in accordance with Robust Details ‘Resistance to the passage of sound’ as an alternative to pre-completion sound testing.
To maintain sound insulation:
- the correct blocks should be used
- fully fill joints, mortar beds and perpends
- use only approved wall ties
- space wall ties 900mm minimum horizontally and 450mm minimum vertically
- avoid any reduction in the thickness of masonry
- ensure spaces around joists are fully filled with masonry and pointed with sealant around the joist
- close the junction between separating and external cavity walls with flexible cavity stops
- care should be taken when specifying dry lining, as the thickness of plasterboard layers, and the methods of sealing and fixing, can affect the transmission of sound
- holes, voids and hairline cracks should be avoided or made good, as they can significantly reduce the effectiveness of a sound-insulating wall.
In masonry separating cavity walls, wall ties should be type A in accordance with Building Regulations.
Solid separating walls can be taken through the inner leaf of an external cavity wall and tied or bonded in accordance with either Building Regulations or Robust Details guidance.
Chases can reduce the sound insulation value of a wall and should:
- be cut only where specified in the design
- not be cut using impact power tools where there is a risk of damage
- not exceed 1/6 of the thickness of the single leaf where horizontal
- not exceed 1/3 of the thickness of the single leaf where vertical
- not be chased where hollow blocks are used, unless specifically permitted by the manufacturer
- be fully filled with mortar
- be staggered on each side of the wall to avoid them being back to back.
Separating walls of framed construction
Separating walls of framed construction should not have gaps in the:
- mineral wool quilt
- plasterboard layers
- fire-stopping.
Flanking walls
The construction of the flanking wall and the position of openings should comply with Building Regulations.
Rooms containing a WC#
The construction should comply with Building Regulations, including the recommended sound reduction between rooms that include a WC and adjacent:
- living rooms
- dining rooms
- studies
- bedrooms, except where the WC is ensuite.
Studwork
To achieve the required level of sound reduction, 75mm timber studwork or 45mm steel framing should be constructed with either:
- two layers of 12.5mm plasterboard (each sheet 10kg/m² min) on each side, with joints staggered and filled
- one layer of 12.5mm plasterboard (each sheet 10Kg/m² min) on each side, with joints staggered and filled and 25mm unfaced mineral wool (10kg/m³ min) between the studs, with all joints well sealed.
Other forms of studwork construction may be acceptable where in accordance with the guidance in supporting documents to the Building Regulations or where independent evidence of performance is available.
Blockwork partitions
Masonry partitions provide adequate sound insulation where:
- blocks have a minimum density of 600kg/m³ and are finished on both sides with 13mm of plaster or 12.5mm plasterboard, and
- blocks are tied at every course to adjoining walls, with joints fully filled.
Further guidance can be found in the relevant Building Regulations.
Proprietary partitions
Independent test evidence of the system’s performance is required in accordance with Technical Requirement R3. Criteria for testing is not provided in R3.
Sound insulation of soil pipes in floor voids and SVPs
All sections of soil and vent pipes including those in bathrooms or ground floor stub stacks, should be fully soundproofed.
Where soil and vent pipes run horizontally through a floor void, above or below a habitable room they should be:
- wrapped in at least 25mm of unfaced mineral wool (10kg/m3 min)
- 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 material (15kg/m²) and
- wrapping the pipe with a minimum 25mm of unfaced mineral wool (10kg/m³ min). The insulation should be continued through the thickness of each sound-insulating floor.
Soil and vent pipes which hold a satisfactory assessment by an appropriate independent technical approvals authority acceptable to NHBC, maybe acceptable where the requirements of the Building Regulations are achieved.
Last updated: 2nd January 2024