Building Regulations – Approved Document E
Click here to go to our building acoustics webpage

The aim of Approved Document E of the Building Regulations is to provide a comprehensive guide for architects, building control bodies, building services engineers, and others involved in the design of new buildings.

From 1 July 2003 Approved Document E, Resistance to the passage of sound, was amended to include houses, flats, rooms for residential purposes and schools. Newly-built dwellings and those formed by conversion will be subjected to pre-completion sound testing.

The objectives of the new Approved Document E are to:

  • Raise sound resistance standards
  • Improve compliances with the regulations
  • Extend scope of the regulations.

Acoustics Plus offers guidance on meeting the requirements of Approved Document E and guidance with other issues in relation to Approved Document E.
The requirements within Approved Document E are E1-E4.

E1 Protection against sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings.
E2 Protection against sound within dwelling houses etc.
E3 Reverberation in the common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes.
E4 PAcoustic conditions in schools (see our BB93 page)

One of the main aims of the revisions of Approved Document E has been to try and improve as-built compliance. The document Approved Document E can be found at: www.odpm.gov.uk
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) proposed an alternative to pre-completion testing (PCT) for demonstrating that new houses and flats comply with Requirement E1 of the Building Regulations. The alternative is use of robust standard details (RSDs) as designed by the House Builders Federation (HBF). RSDs are high performance constructions that are capable of providing consistently good sound insulation, and so should not need the check provided by PCT.

Following lengthy consultation, the ODPM have decided to allow robust details, as developed by the House Builders Federation (HBF), to be used as an alternative to pre-completion testing to demonstrate compliance with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations. This applies only to the sound insulation between new houses and flats. The HBF’s proposals have been subjected to public consultation with a generally favorable response. They have also been considered by the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) who have recommended acceptance, subject to a monitoring procedure, and a review of the situation in three years. The option to use robust details will come into force on 1 July 2004,

If you require further information about Approved Document E specifications then please call us to discuss your requirements. If you require a no obligation free quotation for Approved Document E specifications and/or sound insulation testing, please do not hesitate to contact us, either by email (info@acousticsplus.co.uk ) or phone.

Based in London we advise on UK and international projects.

Call us on +44 20 8859 0303

to discuss your requirements or for a no-obligation quote.

Or send us your details using our form (takes 2 minutes)

Public address and voice alarm systems

Building acoustics

Planning and noise services