Residential

The main change in the acoustic design of residential accommodation in recent times has been the introduction of the new Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.  The new ADE sets out clear and decisive criteria for sound insulation performance for all types of residential accommodation, including dwellings, hotels, student halls of residence, residential homes, and also schools.  It is not that the criteria are necessarily tougher than in the previous version, more that there is considerably less tolerance of minor failures, along with the introduction of a new way of allowing for low frequency sound levels and an increased emphasis on pre-completion testing.  ADC is an ANC approved test body for pre completion testing under the new Approved Document E.

An alternative to testing has been the development of Robust Details. RDs are an innovation brought in by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which include tried and tested constructions which will achieve a minimum of 5dB in excess of the Building Regulations ADE requirement, albeit at a price.

ADC can provide a full range of services for residential design and trouble shooting including the following