Sound Testing Services | Impact & Airborne Sound Test: 1-10 Flats (Floors & Walls)

Sound Testing (Part E Building Regulations)

Ensure your development complies with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations with professional residential sound testing carried out by experienced UK acoustic specialists.

Our residential sound testing service provides pre-completion acoustic testing for new build and conversion projects across England and South Wales. Testing is carried out to demonstrate compliance with Building Regulations Part E and satisfy Building Control and building warranty providers.

Whether you're a developer, builder, contractor or self-builder, we make the testing process straightforward with fast booking, clear pricing and comprehensive certification.

Sound Testing Prices

What Is Included?

• Initial site call out
• First set of party wall airborne sound tests, consisting of 2 airborne tests
• Professional acoustic engineer
• Fully calibrated testing equipment
• Sound testing to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document E
• Test report and certification suitable for Building Control and warranty providers

Sound Testing Standards

Sound testing is carried out to party walls and, where required, party floors in accordance with relevant acoustic testing standards, including BS ISO 140-4 for airborne sound insulation and BS EN ISO 140-7 for impact sound insulation.

This testing helps demonstrate compliance with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations and supports the requirements of Building Control and building warranty providers.

Suitable For

• New build apartments
• Flat conversions
• Residential conversions
• Apartment developments
• HMO
  

Coverage Area

Our standard residential sound testing pricing covers England and South Wales, subject to location.

• England, excluding locations north of Middlesbrough and south of Exeter
• South Wales, excluding locations west of Swansea

Projects outside these areas may still be available, but pricing will be quoted on a Price on Application basis. Please contact us before booking if your site is outside our standard coverage area.

Combined Building Compliance Testing

To reduce costs and minimise site visits, we can also arrange additional compliance testing during the same visit where practical, including:

• Air permeability testing for Part L
• Ventilation flow testing for Part F

Up to 18 combined tests, using any mixture of sound, air permeability and ventilation testing, can typically be completed during a single site visit.

Information Required When Booking

• Full site address, including postcode
• Site contact name and telephone number
• Preferred testing date or dates
• Construction drawings, ideally in PDF format
• Floor plans, sections and elevations
• Confirmation of whether the project is a new build or conversion

We typically recommend allowing 7 to 10 working days’ notice when arranging a sound test.

Preparing For Your Sound Test

The pre-completion sound insulation test must be carried out after second fix is complete. Before the visit, please ensure:

• All internal and external doors are fitted and closable
• Windows are fully fitted and closable
• Trickle vents are in place or temporarily blocked during the test
• All rooms being tested are clear of debris, furniture and construction materials
• 240V sockets are available in each test room
• A parking space is available within 20 metres of the plot being tested
• Simultaneous access is available to both sides of the party wall or party floor being tested
• A site manager or representative is present throughout the testing visit

If no suitable parking can be provided, please notify us before the visit, as parking charges may be added to the final invoice.

Party Floor Sound Testing Requirements

To ensure compliance with Building Regulations, party floor sound insulation testing should be completed before final floor coverings are installed.

If soft floor coverings are already in place, at least 50% of the carpet or covering must be capable of being pulled back to allow suitable testing access. Testing on the bare floor construction is essential for demonstrating compliance with Part E requirements.

Failure to provide suitable access may be recorded on the final report and could lead to Building Control rejecting the test results, resulting in additional retesting costs.

Site Requirements During Testing

• No power tools should be operated near the test rooms
• Vehicles should not be manoeuvring close to the test rooms
• No children, pets or unauthorised personnel should remain in the rooms during testing
• The site contact should be available to provide access and sign off the visit once complete

For safety reasons, nobody else can remain in the test rooms during the tests. The equipment can emit sound levels exceeding 110 dB(A), which can cause permanent hearing damage without appropriate protection. The sound source is also remote controlled and may start unexpectedly.

Access and Site Address Details

Please let us know in advance if there are any difficulties finding the site. Where possible, please provide a what3words location to help the engineer find the correct plot quickly.

For certification records, we require the registered site address. Please ensure the correct address is used on all correspondence, as changes may incur an additional cost.

Why Choose Sound Insulation Store?

• Professional residential sound testing service
• Part E Building Regulations compliance support
• Clear pricing 
• Additional tests from £100 ex VAT on the same site visit
• Suitable for new builds, conversions and residential developments
• Certification suitable for Building Control and warranty providers
• Option to combine sound testing with Part L and Part F testing

Book Your Residential Sound Test

To arrange residential sound testing for your project, please place your enquiry or contact our team with your site details, preferred testing dates and construction drawings.

For larger developments, non-residential projects or locations outside our standard coverage area, please contact us for a tailored quotation.