RICS update to Building Regulations - Part E Sound

RICS UPDATE TO BUILDING REGULATIONS PART E SOUND PRESTON 25TH MAY 2004
Dr Les Fothergill
Pre completion testing - dates of introduction:
Rooms for residential purposes:
New and material change of use – 1st July 2003
Houses and flats:
Material change of use – 1st July 2003
New – 1st July 2004
Background of Robust Standard Details
House Builders Federation pressed for Robust Standard Details as an alternative to Pre Completion Testing
2004 Amendment 3 to Building Regulations 2000
Parts A, C and E to be amended
Implications of amendments
Robust Standard Details are an alternative to Pre Completion Testing only for new houses and flats
Building Control Bodies must check the authenticity of applications claiming to use Robust Standard Details
System will be run by Robust Details Ltd
Robust Details Ltd will:
1) Publish specifications of Robust Standard Details
2) Assess new candidates Robust Standard Details to encourage innovation
3) Monitor performance of Robust Standard Details on site for quality control
4) Inform Building Control Bodies of any failures
Building Control Checks

Robust Standard Details are not "deemed to satisfy"
All sites using Robust Standard Details need to be notified to Robust Details Ltd so they can be subjected to quality checks
Building Control Body needs to check to see that each dwelling using Robust Standard Details has a reference number. If not apply Pre Completion Testing
Builder needs to apply to Robust Details Ltd. to use a detail and pay them for each dwelling.
Builder can use Robust Standard Details for walls and Pre Completion Testing for the floors
Builder can use Robust Standard Details on individual houses and Pre Completion Testing on others
Which organisations carry out Pre Completion Testing?
The Association of Noise Consultants list their members are:

UKAS accredited
Members can be found at www.association-of-noise-consultants.co.uk
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are rooms in Care Homes "Rooms for Residential Purposes"?
NO

Aim is to provide reasonable accoustic privacy
Exemption applies if the residents are patients
Care Homes that provide personal care are defined in the Care Standards Act 2000 are likely to be exempt from Part E
How should student halls of residence be treated?

These are normally study/bedrooms in clusters of six with shared toilets and kitchens
The intention is that all rooms are rooms for residential purposes so Part E applies
Does E2 apply to domestic extensions and loft conversions?
Yes

The Regulations apply to building work for the extension of a dwelling
Material Change of Use of the whole or part of the building
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister interpretation is that a loft conversion or conversion of a garage to dwelling purposes is "material" and the Regulations apply
Can downlighters be used in E2 floors?

Probably, check with manufacturers for test information
Should E2 be subject to Pre Completion Testing?

No-Pre Completion Testing applies only to E1
What is a "school"?

Defined by Education Act 1996 Section 4
Any one or more of the following
Used for primary education
Education which is secondary education defined by section 2(2)(a), or
Full time education suitable to the requirements of persons over the compulsory education age but under 19
6th form colleges can be a school or a college, they have the choice
Does E4 apply to extensions of schools and schools formed by material change of use?
Yes – E4 only applies to teaching and learning places
How can paragraph 1.2.1 of BB 93 be applied?

1.2.1 Alternate performance standards
In some circumstances alternatives can be applicable
Can be used to resolve conflicting requirements between acoustic and teaching requirements
See www.teachernet.gov.uk/acoustics
Should schools be required to have Pre Completion Testing?
Not needed in regulations but clients should be advised to have testing carried out by a noise consultant
See link below