Performance Requirements
REGULATIONS
  Part E for dwellings,
hotels etc
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  Rooms for Residential Purposes/New Build

 
  Separating Walls       Internal Walls  
  Table 1b shows the sound insulation values required by section E1 of the 2003 Approved Document E (Part E) for separating walls, floors and stairs.

The changes to the Approved Document demand much more onerous requirements than the previous document. The introduction of a new low frequency correction factor (Ctr) to the airborne sound measurement can affect the performance of a construction considerably. Previously standard constructions will find it more difficult to achieve the new regulations. Stricter design guidance and quality of workmanship on site will be needed to reduce the possibility of failure.

  The standard for walls is 45dB expressed as `DnTw + Ctr dB’. Although this is numerically lower than the previous approved document E implied 52-53dB performance standard of party walls, the addition of ‘Ctr’ - a correction to take into account the low frequencies emitted by audio equipment commonly found in homes - should ensure a greater improvement in sound protection.   Table 2 below shows the sound insulation values required by Section E2 of Part E for internal walls and floors. These are based on laboratory test values and are thus shown as Rw values. There is no requirement for pre-completion testing under E2.

 
             
Table 1b: Rooms for residential purposes - performance standards for separating walls, separating floors, and stairs that have a separating function
 
Airborne sound insulation
DnTw + Ctr dB
(Minimum values)
Impact sound insulation
L’nTw dB
(Maximum values)
Purpose built rooms for residential purposes
Walls
Floors and stairs
 
43
45
 
-
62

Table 2: Laboratory values for new internal walls and floors within dwelling houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes, whether purpose built or formed by material change of use
 
Airborne sound insulation
Rw dB
(Minimum values)
Walls
Floors
40
40