New build flat noise

Horsley18

Hi Everyone
I know there are lots of posts about this so apologies for another one!
I purchased a new build flat in London in September last year - at the time I purchased it, there was no living in the flat next to mine. A family has now moved in with a small boy who has taken to running laps around the flat for hours on end (I guess he is burning off energy as we can't go outside) but unfortunately its now carrying on late into the night. 

What I am trying to understand is what insulation should there be within the party wall to prevent impact sounds (footsteps/droppping things/slamming doors) between flats that are next to each other.

The actual sound insulation for airborne sounds doesn't seem to be too bad but the vibrations through the floor feel like they are actually taking place in my flat and he is only a 6 year old!

I will speak with the developer to ask for the designs and whether they can check the wall as I am within the 2 year 'warranty' period but does anyone know what the regulations are or have any expertise in how the walls should be designed to reduce impact noise?

Thanks!

jaybeetoo

What type of flooring does the next flat have?  What does the lease say about flooring?

Horsley18

jaybeetoo said:

What type of flooring does the next flat have?  What does the lease say about flooring?

Every flat has the exact same flooring as they all come with underfloor heating, they are imitation wood floors that are vinyl plank is what the lease says

Norman_Castle

There is a limit to what soundproofing can do. It sounds like getting your neighbours to understand how much noise they are making would be more productive.

Horsley18

Norman_Castle said:

There is a limit to what soundproofing can do. It sounds like getting your neighbours to understand how much noise they are making would be more productive.

Yeah I will try that as well but I have concerns over the way the two flats connect together and was hoping to try and get some idea of how the party walls 'should' have been built so I can get them tested

vitaweat

The party wall should have a rating of Rw 40Db, that is to say that the wall should reduce noise by "weighted average" of 40 decibels.  That should be pretty easy to measure if you get a professional in and I have heard that a lot of developers do not take it seriously.

Horsley18

vitaweat said:

The party wall should have a rating of Rw 40Db, that is to say that the wall should reduce noise by "weighted average" of 40 decibels.  That should be pretty easy to measure if you get a professional in and I have heard that a lot of developers do not take it seriously.

This is helpful thank you. I am gong to speak with the developer and my neighbour but an acoustic engineer will be next to get a test done - I was just trying to understand what should be between the walls to bring down impact sound

RelievedSheff

Horsley18 said:

vitaweat said:

The party wall should have a rating of Rw 40Db, that is to say that the wall should reduce noise by "weighted average" of 40 decibels.  That should be pretty easy to measure if you get a professional in and I have heard that a lot of developers do not take it seriously.

This is helpful thank you. I am gong to speak with the developer and my neighbour but an acoustic engineer will be next to get a test done - I was just trying to understand what should be between the walls to bring down impact sound

Have a look for Robust Details. This document will give you an idea of what your walls should be constructed like.

There are two documents one for sound and one for thermal properties. Obviously it is the sound one you need.

edgex

I guess he is burning off energy as we can't go outside

Yes you can

Can you actually feel vibrations through the floor from next door?

Where is the sound coming through, the wall or the floor?

https://www.robustdetails.com/patterns/selecting-your-robust-details/

Horsley18

edgex said:

I guess he is burning off energy as we can't go outside

Yes you can

Can you actually feel vibrations through the floor from next door?

Where is the sound coming through, the wall or the floor?

Yes I can feel the vibrations through the floor - in fact if I put a glass of water on the floor you can see it move like Jurassic Park.
I think the sound is coming through the vibrations in the floor but I also don't think the wall is doing a particularly good job at preventing any sound passing through. 
I will take a look at that link now - thanks

RPF1992

We have exactly the same problem in a London new build, with underfloor heating and engineered wood flooring.

Our problem however is with upstairs. The impact noise is crazily loud - to the point where we can hear exactly where they are in the flat. We can hear them load the dishwasher and even hear them laughing. 

Does anyone agree that this sounds like a larger sound insulation problem, rather than just impact noise? As we can hear high and low level noises from upstairs! 

Thanks in advance.