soundproof flats

[deggers316]

does anyone know if the thousands of flats / apartments that are springing up in our cites have soundproofing i:e: not being able to hear the flat above when someone is walking on the "teak floors"or a music system playing
i wouldn't like to think i was going to pay �200.000 upwards for one of these if there anything the 60s council flats when you could hear "everything" !

[buildersmate]

Because of problems experienced by dwellers of such flats, in 2003 a new Building Regulation (called Part E) was introduced. This sets minimum stds for soundproffing between adjacent dwellings. There are different stds for new flats and refurbishments. Developers have to demonstrate they either meet the std by organisaing a test, or they have to use what is known as a compliant solution (one that is designed and pre-tested to meet the std). There is no retrospective application of this std - just look out for when your chosen flat was built!

[sambro]

My daughter has been living in a new build flat for about 9 months. The noise is horrendous some times especially when morons play loud music,so i dont think these new regulations have made any difference whatsoever!!

[buildersmate]

Fair comment - I don't claim that things are perfect. The problem is made worse by the current trend to have wood or laminate strip flooring in place of carpet (on the flat above).

[deggers316]

i did hear that in scotland for many years now they have had soundproofing regulations in the building of flats etc where the noise is kept strictly to low decibel levels and is measured by a meter whilst in the flat above some kind of noise machine generates a test sound,this is done by the building inspector before being passed

[buildersmate]

Don't know how long it may have applied in Scotland but this is how it is accessed under Part E Building Regs. Or else the developer uses an 'approved' method of acoustic insulation.
But your comment about 'low' may not mean it is low enough for you - noise affects different people in different ways

[eyebrows]

alternatively you can lay carpet on the ceiling , this should help?

but as said there is actually standards now that prevents issues like this....

[deggers316]

BUILDERS MATE check this link
i found
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/archive/th_html2005/bst hd-88.htm
although it don't mean much to me. lol

[buildersmate]

Seems Scotland were well ahead in this regard - this std test seems to have been in use for a while before 2003 when it came into use in England & Wales. This document you found is the Buildings (Scotland) Act of 2003 - the equivalent of Building Regulations in England. I'm not sure at what point Wales intends to develop its own stds.