The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government (DECLG) published new Building Regulations pertaining to sound in December 2014. An updated and enhanced Technical Document E Sound followed in January 2015. The key aspects of the new guidance may be summarized as follows:
For the first time in Ireland, minimum standards of sound insulation performance have been use to define reasonable resistance to sound;
Reverberation in common internal parts of buildings has been introduced as an issue requiring consideration; and
Mandatory pre-completion testing is required in order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Regulations.
TGD E places a strong emphasis on the competence of testers, as illustrated by the following extracts:
2.1.2 Competency of Tester To ensure a proper standard of testing, it is essential that persons are competent in the measurement of sound insulation in buildings to the relevant ISO Standards i.e. ISO 16283 Part 1 and ISO 140 Part 7 series, possess sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work he or she is required to perform having particular regard to the size and complexity of such works." Sound insulation tests carried out by a person certified by an independent third party to carry out this work offers a way of ensuring that such certification can be relied upon.
In response the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) and the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) in Ireland, developed a certification scheme, known as SITRI and established a register of competent bodies.
The Navitus team are SITRI Registered Testers. We can provide Sound Testing services to demonstrate compliance and can offer expert advice to both builders and homeowners on how to reduce and eliminate sound leakage.