independent sound testing for house? where to look?

rover25

Was reading your links there and was wondering how the sound testing works in a semi detached when the problem seems to be impact noise. The links say that impact noise is only tested between floors and airborne between walls.

Paddy2eyes

As regards testing, FR Mark has been mentioned above and you could also try Peter Lloyd, https://www.lloydsound.co.uk. Both have the proper experience and accreditation if you intend to take legal action against a builder.

Richard_Watson

Airborne is for both walls and floors. Impact just floors from up to down. There is no requirement in the Building Regs for a semi to have any floors tested and impact diagonally down would never be tested. The regs also don't require door slamming, climbing stairs, cupboard slamming etc to be tested.

There are many good firms around, and plenty of poor ones. My firm is accredited for England and Wales and provides expert witness services to courts regularly.

I have not heard of Peter Lloyd and a quick check shows they do not have the correct accreditation for testing in England, I do not know what systems NI require.

rover25

Thanks for all the info guys. So if I have a prob with impact noise from next door, there is nothing in the regulations then about testing standards for this type of noise? Does this mean I have no where to turn to re the impact noise from next door?

dmxdave

Paddy2eyes wrote: »

As regards testing, FR Mark has been mentioned above and you could also try Peter Lloyd, www.lloydsound.co.uk. Both have the proper experience and accreditation if you intend to take legal action against a builder.

I would also recommend FR Mark or Peter Lloyd both very professional in NI

Richard_Watson

Correct. Impact testing is only for flats and only from above to below - not diagonal

There is a chance that the walls would fail an airborne test, however, the required standards are not particularly high. Meeting the standard does not equate to perfection, or to not hearing your neighbours.

Acoustics and sound is the same as anything else, there is a standard but it is not perfect.