Sound Insulation Testing – Healthcare
Healthcare properties often need to demonstrate acoustic performance with respect to general noise levels, speech intelligibility, and sound insulation to protect patient privacy.
THE requirements
Health Technical Memorandum 08 covers the requirements, which include:
- Airborne sound insulation of walls
- Airborne sound insulation of floors
- Impact sound insulation of floors
- Reverberation times – how long it takes for the echo to decay
- Ambient noise levels – the indoor noise level based on external noise and/or building-generated noise
There are further performance requirements that can apply depending upon the purpose of the room.
Typically sound insulation testing is undertaken on 8 walls of each construction and 4 floors of each construction.
For more information on the requirements and sound testing visit our FAQ page.
MAKE AN ENQUIRY
Our Sound Testing Process
Our air test engineers are home-based and well-placed to cover Greater London and the City, Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, we are able to test all over the UK.
We are happy to talk through what is involved, what to watch out for, and when to test. We can provide guidance and checklists.
We provide a quote based on the number of units and sampling based on guidance in BB93 and from the Association of Noise Consultants –PDF Plans are needed to confirm the type and layout of rooms.
We confirm a date. Our engineer will call you ahead of the test date to talk you through the preparation and process plus agree the timings.
4. On the day of testing
Airborne tests involve creating noise of a known level (approximately 100dB) on one side of the party/separating wall/floor and measuring the volume on the other side to calculate the amount of noise that the wall or floor is insulating. Measurements are taken in multiple planes and positions, reverberation (echo) and background noise are taken into account. The result is expressed in decibels (dB) as DnTw with corrections including traffic noise (Ctr).
Impact testing is done using a tapping machine that simulates footfall on the uncovered floor surface. The level of noise is measured in the unit below and the result is expressed in dB as LnT.
Reverberation times are measured by making a short, sharp, loud noise then stops abruptly and measuring the time taken for the sound energy to fall by a certain amount.
Ambient noise levels are based on LAeq noise level measurements taken over an appropriate time period.
Testing typically takes place very close to completion but before carpets or other flooring is laid.
Please see FAQs.
5. Paperwork
We issue a short-form UKAS test report.
If the worst should happen and there is a failure, we put you in touch with an experienced acoustician who can provide design/remedial advice ahead of retesting.
AND THERE’S MORE ...
What our clients say about us
WHY CHOOSE ALT?
Helpful Engineers
We work with you to achieve the best result, identifying potential issues and repeating the testing once these have been addressed. We are on hand to answer any questions before, during and after the testing.
Flexible & Responsive
We try to fit in with the dates and times you need the test, we try to work around other trades to minimise disruption on site. We issue quotes and certificates within 1 working day, our lead-times are typically around a week but we will try and fit you in sooner if required.
Knowledgeable
We have been air testing since 2002 and all our test engineers have a vast amount of experience.
Great value
Our prices are very competitive but we can also undertake air and sound testing on the same visit to save you more money. If you do manage to find the testing cheaper, we will beat any quote.
Get a quote
Fill in the form at the top of this page, and we will provide an estimated cost.
Provide more information, and we will issue a formal quotation.
