How to achieve acoustic

performance in masonry homes

Professor Sean Smith BSc (Hons) PhD MIOA

Introduction
This Guide provides information relating to the
acoustic design of attached masonry homes, and
will assist home builders, developers, architects and
specifiers in improving sound insulation and
achieving good levels of acoustic performance in
attached houses and apartments. In this Guide the
word ‘apartment’ is used to apply to both
apartments and flats.
The information deals primarily with Building
Regulation requirements in England and Wales, but
the solutions will also comply with current
minimum performance standards in Scotland and
Northern Ireland. Scotland has recently consulted
on new sound insulation criteria to be implemented
in October 2010. This is referred to in Table 3, under
the column headed S2010.
Effective acoustic performance depends largely on
workmanship and inspection processes during the
build. Construction details that are listed as Robust
Details (RD) have undergone 30 previous site tests
prior to being incorporated into the Robust Details
Scheme. To assist site managers who register to use
the RD Scheme, site checklists are available from
www.robustdetails.com for each RD. As new higher
performance levels for masonry homes are
constantly being developed, specifiers and designers
should check with Robust Details Ltd, or their
acoustic consultant, in order to keep up to date
with the latest developments and new designs that
may appear after the publication of this Guide.
Masonry homes can provide high levels of sound
insulation across a wide range of sound frequencies
and can attenuate many noises within dwellings.
Acoustic properties of
concrete and masonry
Concrete in its various forms provides a wide range of products and systems
that are used in housing. The sound insulation properties of blockwork and
of concrete floor systems encompass three key acoustic parameters: mass,
stiffness and damping.
Mass properties can lead to significant attenuation of sound and vibration
at all sound frequencies, but are particularly important for reducing low
frequency sound transmission. High stiffness can prevent flexing of walls
or floors and this reduces low frequency sound transmission by reducing
the capability of the structural wall and floor elements to transfer sound
energy into the air of adjoining rooms and cavities. The inherent damping
properties of many blockwork and concrete floor systems enables sound and
vibration energy to be attenuated and reduced before reaching other elements
or rooms, by converting sound and vibration energy into heat within the
material. Concrete is unique in having the highest damping properties of any
structural material.
If, through good acoustic design, isolation and resilience are combined
with the three inherent acoustic properties of concrete, superior acoustic
performance is achieved.
Figure 1 shows an example of the airborne sound insulation performance of a
solid wall versus a cavity blockwork wall. Whilst both walls have mass, stiffness
and damping, the incorporation of a cavity (and thus isolation) significantly
increases the sound insulation performance for a range of frequencies.
Figure 1
Airborne sound insulation – difference in performance between solid and
75 mm cavity walls built with dense blocks
90
80
Airborne sound insulation Dnt (dB)

The levels of sound insulation achieved can provide Dense block cavity wall
70
a valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing
of home occupants. 60
50
Dense block solid wall
Whilst this Guide focuses on achievement of 40
acoustic performance, there are other performance
30
requirements that a wall or floor needs to meet,
such as thermal performance and structural 20
performance. The final construction details need to 10
incorporate all details required to satisfy all the 0
performance requirements of the project. 100 200 400 800 1600 3150
Frequency (Hz)
Performance, compliance
and testing
Performance
Good sound insulation performance can lead to reduced noise
complaints and a better quality of life for home occupants. Hence
specific sound performance targets, particularly those limiting
sound transfer between separate households, are incorporated into
Approved Document E1, under Part E of the Building Regulations.
The performance requirements cover a range of sound frequencies
from 100 Hz (low frequency) to 3150 Hz (high frequency). These
requirements apply to separating walls in attached houses or
apartments and separating floors in apartments.
Whilst specific performance standards are set within Building Regulation
guidance and standards, it is important to appreciate that it is not
possible to stop all noise and address all types of noise sources.
What is DnT,w?
D is the effective noise (sound pressure level difference) transfer
between two adjoining dwellings X and Y where a noise source is placed
in dwelling X (measured Level 1: L1) and the receiving room in the
adjoining dwelling Y (measured Level 2: L2). As room volumes may be
different and rooms may or may not be furnished, the reverberation
time (inverse of absorption) of the receiving room is also measured. The
effective difference (D = L1 − L2) is then normalised (nT) to the measured
reverberation time compared with a typical reverberation time (0.5
seconds) for a habitable room. The performance of DnT is recorded
at each frequency band and then assessed or weighted (w) against
a standard curve for sound insulation.
What is Ctr?
To address low frequency sound transmission and improve the sound
insulation performance at low frequencies, a spectrum adaptation
term Ctr is used. This is a negative value, and places significant
emphasis on the sound insulation performance between 100 Hz and
200 Hz. Structures with high mass such as concrete generally perform
well at low frequencies.
Airborne sound insulation (L) is typically set as a minimum level
to address noise transmission from general living noise, televisions
and household appliances. On-site field measurements are normally
carried out in accordance with ISO 140−42 and ISO 717−13. The
higher the value the better the airborne sound insulation. The
performance criteria used within Approved Document E is DnT,w + Ctr
and is reported in dB (decibels).
Impact sound transmission (L') is typically set as a maximum
level to address impact noise transmission from footfall noise in
apartments. The lower the value, the better the impact sound
insulation. On-site field measurements are normally carried out in
accordance with ISO 140−74 and ISO 717−25. Currently impact noise
transmission is assessed only for separating floors; it does not address
horizontal impact noise through separating walls from sockets and
switches, room doors closing or wall-mounted cupboard doors closing.
2
What is L'nT,w?
L is the effective level of noise (sound pressure level) that is
generated in the room below a separating floor as found in
apartments and flats. The noise source is provided via a metal
hammer tapping machine (with five steel hammers) which is
positioned on the upper dwelling’s floor surface. As the hammers
hit the floor sound and vibration energy is transmitted into the
dwelling below. Only the sound pressure level (L) is recorded in
the room below. Again, like airborne sound measurements, the
reverberation time (T) of the receiving room is measured and this
is normalised to a typical reverberation time (0.5 seconds) for a
habitable room.
Layout, design and workmanship
For attached houses and apartments, good initial design of room
layouts of adjoining homes can contribute to better sound insulation.
For example, by ensuring that features such as built-in wardrobes,
cupboards or utility/service zones are positioned adjacent to the
separating walls, effective buffer zones are formed that reduce
airborne sound transmission and attendant flanking sound risks.
Apartments require floor layouts that do not have habitable rooms
adjacent to support and circulation facilities such as lift shafts, refuse
chutes and motor rooms. Good layouts mean the building is more
likely to achieve effective sound attenuation.
Compliance
The primary compliance performance requirements for new build
attached housing for England and Wales is Approved Document E.
There are two methodologies for demonstrating compliance:
■■ Robust Details (RDs) − before works have commenced
the designer chooses and registers to build a Robust Detail
(see www.robustdetails.com) and the construction is executed
in accordance with the RD specification.
■■ Pre-Completion Testing (PCT) − where sound tests are
undertaken at the end of the construction phase and a test report
is produced that details the performance levels achieved.
In addition to Approved Document E requirements there are also
opportunities under the Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH)6 and
Ecohomes7 to gain credits for higher levels of sound insulation. Both
RDs and PCT can be used as compliance routes to secure credits
available. Figures 2a & 2b illustrate the required performance and
credit zone levels for airborne and impact sound respectively. Concrete
and masonry building systems offer a wide range of design options for
achieving credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes.
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes

Figure 2 Architects, housebuilders and developers may register to use

Required sound insulation performance and credit zone levels for the Robust Details scheme by paying a small fee per plot prior
separating walls and floors to commencement of works on site. Unless agreed otherwise,
Decibels Enhanced Robust Code for Ecohomes registration should be notified to the building control authority prior
(dB) performance Details for Sustainable (see Note 1)
level Part E Homes to commencement. There are no additional fees for performance
groupings (see Note 1) (see Note 1) monitoring by RD Inspectors.
55 or more
Increasing airborne insulation performance

54 4 credits By 2009, over 7,000 detailed tests had been undertaken with over
53 8+ dB better 4000 site inspections. The scheme uses specialised data analysis to
4 credits
52 track and monitor each RD. Prior to the introduction of Robust Details,
51 3 credits compliance rates were approximately 40 per cent. Since the Robust
Minimum mean
50 5+ dB better performance Details scheme has been operating annual compliance rates are
49 typically 97 per cent. The mean performance level of Robust Details is
1 credit 3 credits 7 dB better than those required by Approved Document E.
48 3+ dB better
Design
47 minimum
1 or 2
46 Minimum 0 credits credits Pre-Completion Testing (PCT)
Approved (see Note 2) On-site sound insulation testing is commonly referred to as Pre-
45 Doc. E
Completion Testing (PCT). This should be undertaken by either UKAS
44 or less NON COMPLIANCE
Accredited Testers or ANC Registered Testers (for Part E, Association of
a) Airborne sound performance requirements for separating walls and floors
Noise Consultants). Both organisations list the accredited or registered
testers on their websites for sound insulation testing. For UKAS this is
Decibels Enhanced Robust Code for Ecohomes www.ukas.org/testing, and for ANC, www.theanc.co.uk.
(dB) performance Details for Sustainable (see Note 1)
level Part E Homes
groupings (see Note 1) (see Note 1)
Testing is undertaken in accordance with ISO 140 Part 4 (airborne)
52 or less and Part 7 (impact). The presentation of the results and criteria should
Increasing impact insulation performance

53 4 credits be in accordance with ISO 140 and ISO 717 (Parts 1 and 2). Approved
54 8 dB better Document E (Annex B) also provides further and specific information
4 credits
55 relating to sound insulation testing.
56 Maximum 3 credits
mean
57 5 dB better performance The Concrete Centre maintains a list of sites where pre-completion
58 acoustic tests have been conducted. The test results and certificates
1 credit 3 credits
59 3 dB better can be viewed at www.concretecentre.com by searching under
Design
60 maximum technical information (acoustic performance section).
1 or 2
61 Minimum 0 credits credits
Approved (see Note 2)
62 Doc. E Preparing for sound insulation tests (PCT)
63 or To reduce delays that impact on handover of dwellings to occupants,
NON COMPLIANCE
more it is important that the site plots to be tested are ready for PCT to be
b) Impact sound performance requirements for separating floors conducted. There are nine primary factors to consider.

Notes
1 Each Robust Detail is also assigned specific credits under Code for Sustainable Homes Before sound tests
and Ecohomes. Refer to www.robustdetails.com for detailed information. 1) Wall finishes: skirting boards should be in place and floor and wall
2 When using Robust Details a minimum of 2 credits are automatically awarded. junctions should be properly sealed.
When using PCT, 1 or 2 credits maybe awarded depending on the ratio of Pre-Completion
Testing being undertaken. For Ecohomes credits refer to HEA2 on RD website. 2) Floor finishes: separating floor surfaces should be bare (i.e. no
carpets) or may have a bonded soft floor covering.
Robust Details 3) Doors:
The Robust Details route provides a range of solutions for masonry • External doors should be in place with seals.
and concrete dwellings where designers wish to use Robust Details, • Internal doors for rooms being tested should be in place.
so avoiding upfront design meetings, addressing key workmanship 4) Windows: should be installed with vent covers in place.
issues and avoiding undertaking Pre-Completion Testing. Each RD is
tested 30 times over at least four different sites prior to entry into the
Robust Detail Handbook8. Each Robust Detail is then tracked through
random performance monitoring across a range of sites by inspection
and tests undertaken by RD Inspectors. There are over 40 Robust
Detail wall and floors providing over 100 wall and floor combinations.

3
5) Electricity and sockets:
• If plug socket points are located within the separating wall
(although preferably they should not be) socket covers should
be in place.
• Preferably mains electricity should be ‘live’ for sockets in rooms
to be tested. This saves a considerable amount of test time
as test engineers may have to bring portable generators if
mains electricity is not available.
6) Services: any service penetrations in separating walls or floors
should be sealed.
7) Contact with test engineer:
• They will need plot layouts of the houses or apartments
to be tested.
• Be clear as to whom the engineer should report.
• Arrange access time to site: this should be when the site is
quiet or when there is no noisy work in the immediate vicinity
of test dwellings.
During sound tests
8) Site requirements:
• No other workers or noisy equipment should be within the
near vicinity of test areas. Such additional noise may adversely
influence sound test results, or cause delays during testing,
which in turn may hold up other site work.
• Site operatives should not enter the dwellings during testing.
9) Construction details: the test engineer will require information
on the construction build-up of walls and floors; this can be
provided before, during or after the site visit.
Awarding sound insulation credits for apartments
When designing new separating walls or floors or when using Robust
Detail designs, it is important to be aware of how credits are awarded.
The sound insulation performance of the apartments will be dictated
by the lowest credit level of three different performance measures:
■■ Airborne sound insulation for the separating wall.
■■ Airborne sound insulation of the separating floor.
■■ Impact sound transmission of the separating floor.
Example of Robust Details route
The designer selects and registers a Robust Detail separating wall
(assigned four credits) and a separating floor (assigned three credits)
for a block of apartments. All apartments that are registered with
Robust Details will automatically receive three credits.
Example of Pre-Completion Testing route
The designer selects new wall and floor designs for a block of
apartments. PCT is undertaken at the end of the construction
phase. The separating wall achieves four credits, the floor (airborne)
achieves one credit and the floor (impact) achieves three credits. All
apartments are assigned one credit − the lowest credit performing
structure, unless further testing is undertaken for every apartment to
individually assess their performance.
4
Attached houses
Separating walls
(otherwise known as party walls)
Masonry separating walls are unique in being able to provide both
solid and cavity wall options. As shown in Figure 1, cavity separating
walls generally have higher sound insulation properties than solid
walls. However, the application of diverse wall linings can enhance the
sound insulation performance of solid blockwork separating walls.
Solid walls are typically 215 mm dense blocks (density 1,900 kg/m3)
laid full width. They should be single stretcher bonded with all mortar
beds fully filled. The density of each leaf of a masonry cavity wall can
vary from 600 kg/m3 (aircrete block) to 1,900 kg/m3 (dense block).
It is important that bed joints and perpends are fully filled and sealed
to reduce sound transmission. There are three methods to improve
the performance of masonry walls and increase sound insulation
performance:
■■ Application of a plaster finish.
■■ Application of a render (parge) coat prior to dry lining.
■■ Application of mineral wool within the cavity.
The application of plaster or render coats seals the blockwork face,
improves the acoustic damping properties and also provides a
decoupling mechanism (i.e. prevents the dry-lining coming into direct
contact with the block face).
Plaster or render coats can assist in reducing the drum effect or
‘mass-spring-mass’ resonance. This is caused by the cavity (8 mm to
15 mm) formed by the dab between dry-lining and the core (solid
mass portion) wall, which allows a resonance to be formed at low
frequencies, typically 125 to 160 Hz. The render coat should always
be applied in a scratch or rough finish prior to applying the dry lining
on dabs. The scratch or rough finish also helps with the ‘key-bonding’
of the dab to the wall, and by not being smooth finished, causes small
variations in the cavity width thus reducing the drum effect.
Figure 3 shows the sound insulation performance comparison of bare
cavity blockwork wall, a rendered wall, and a dry-lining plus render
finish. As can be seen, the render coat substantially raises the sound
insulation performance across many frequencies due to the acoustic
damping properties.
For best practice, the minimum cavity width of masonry cavity walls
should be 75 mm. However, increasing the cavity width to 100 mm
can typically raise sound insulation performance by a further 3 to 4 dB.
This increased width improves the isolation factor of each leaf and
increases the path length for sound to transmit across wall ties.
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes

Figure 3
Figure 4
Sound insulation performance for a lightweight aggregate blockwork
Mortar collection on the wall ties.
100 mm cavity wall (with Type A wall ties) and different linings

90
Airborne sound insulation Dnt (dB)

80
Render plus dry-lining
70
60
50
With render coat
40
Bare block
30
20
10
0
100 200 400 800 1600 3150
Frequency (Hz)

Wall ties Using raft foundations or continuous floor slabs with masonry cavity
For structural reasons, wall ties will generally be required when walls can provide a strong direct coupling mechanism allowing
constructing cavity walls. The correct specification of wall ties for sound transmission. Sound and vibration energy can travel down the
the separating wall is crucial to obtain the expected good isolation wall leaf, across the slab and into the adjacent cavity wall leaf. This
properties and sound insulation performance. Type A wall ties should mechanism of sound transmission can occur along the entire length of
be used as described in Approved Document E, Section 2.19. Their the separating wall leaf (see Figure 5a below).
acoustic properties are assessed via their dynamic stiffness. Figure 5
Typical wall and floor sound transmission mechanisms
Type A wall ties should have a dynamic stiffness that is less than
4.8 MN/m3 for the cavity width specified. It is therefore necessary to Masonry cavity
Separating wall leafs
obtain confirmation from the wall tie manufacturer that they have
a test report that demonstrates compliance with this criterion. The
measured dynamic stiffness is based on the ties being installed at a
standard density of 2.5 per square metre (this equates to spacing of
Raft foundation
900 mm horizontal x 450 mm vertical centres).
Commercial examples of Type A wall ties are listed below: 5a

■■ Vista Engineering Ltd − VE4 tie.

Mortar collection
■■ Ancon Building Products − Staifix HRT 4 tie.
■■ ACS Stainless Steel Fixings − ACS Type 4 tie (Masonry Light Duty).
■■ Powerplace Ltd − PT4.
■■ Wincro Industries Ltd − Housing tie WT4.
■■ Stainless Wire Tie Company − Housing tie SWT4.
5b
Mortar
One issue that can significantly reduce the sound insulation collection Gas membrane
performance is mortar collecting on wall ties. Mortar collection will
increase the cross sectional area of the structural bridge between
the cavity wall leafs and provide a pathway for increased sound
transmission. As the separating walls are being built the ties should
be repeatedly checked and mortar collection or ‘snots’ should be
removed from the ties. Figure 4 illustrates mortar collection on the 5c
wall ties and how to prevent it.

Raft foundations and gas membranes

The use of brownfield sites or specialist ground conditions often require
raft foundations or the inclusion of impermeable gas membranes to
provide protection, for example, against radon or methane.

5
In addition, as there is no lower cavity beneath the slab level, as found Figure 7
in strip foundations, any mortar that falls into the cavity can easily form Plan views of solid and cavity separating walls showing incorrect and
a bridge or couple the wall leafs (see Figure 5b). Similarly where radon correct junctions to reduce flanking sound transmission through the
inner leaf of the external wall
or gas membrane barriers are used to seal the cavity and close the void
in normal strip foundations, this can act as a mortar collector and will Solid separating walls
bridge the cavity wall leafs (see Figure 5c), providing a significant sound
Inner leaf
transmission mechanism. It is therefore important to isolate the wall
Inner leaf Inner leaf
leafs from the slab and also isolate any mortar collection at the slab
surface or on gas membranes in strip or trench foundations. Dense block 215 mm
solid wall

One solution that deals with all three issues mentioned above is the 7a) 7b)
Icopal Monarfloor Bridgestop System as shown in Figure 6.
Cavity separating walls

Figure 6
Icopal Monarfloor Bridgestop System for isolating masonry cavity
Inner leaf Inner leaf Inner leaf
separating walls from continuous slabs and mortar collection on gas
membranes

Monarloor Bridgestop Lightweight aggregate or

dense block leafs 7c) 7d)
ties (also provide render
depth check)
75 mm to 100 mm cavity
Monarloor Bridgestop quilt
Wall linings
500mm wide Monarfloor For a cavity separating wall, Figure 7c) shows an example of how
Bridgestop HP Acoustic
Monarfloor flanking strip not to build where the external wall inner leaf has been run through,
membrane over dpm
Floor creating very strong coupling between the separating cavity wall leafs
screed and also a flanking transmission path room to room. Figure 7d) shows
how this inner leaf should be built, with the separating wall leafs
clearly breaking the continuity of the inner leaf.
Icopal
continuous
dpm and gas Intermediate floors
membrane
Concrete raft Intermediate floors dividing two rooms within the same dwelling may be
foundation
composed of a number of core materials. In all cases where precast flat
This system can also be used with a normal strip footing (shown dotted) slab, beam and block or timber or steel joists abut the separating walls,
they should be well sealed to prevent sound leakage. Particular attention
should be paid to correctly closing engineered I-joists, which will often
require specialist end fillers or caps to seal the void around the web.
Separating walls and external flanking walls
The structural connection between separating walls and the inner leaf
of external walls provides a mechanism allowing sound transmission Figure 8
from room to room via the inner leaf, bypassing the separating wall. Junction of room-in-roof systems with separating cavity wall heads
This occurs for all types of separating walls irrespective of the core
wall material. In this publication the term external wall includes
perimeter walls.

In the case of solid masonry separating walls using dense blocks, it is Ensure junction between
important that the inner leaf continuity is broken by the separating core room-in-roof systems and
masonry separating wall
wall. Figure 7a) shows an example of how not to build, where the inner head is well sealed to
leaf is run through between the dwellings past the end of the separating prevent sound transmission
wall resulting in significant flanking transmission and loss in sound through gaps or voids
Fire stop
insulation performance. Figure 7b) shows how the inner leaf should be
broken by the separating wall. It is possible to tooth-in or abut and tie.
Where structurally possible it is preferable to abut and tie the inner leaf
to the face of the separating wall, as this method provides 2 to 3dB
better sound insulation performance than toothed-in.

Min 75 mm

6
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes
Joists may be suspended on face-fixed hangers or built in to the wall.
Intermediate floors should never bridge the separating walls. Where lateral
restraint straps are used to tie intermediate floor joists to the separating
wall, care should be taken to ensure that no gaps or voids remain and
they do not form an acoustic bridge across the cavity separating wall.
Wall heads and room-in-roof
At the separating wall head it is important to ensure that bridging is
not caused either by excess mortar, incorrect ties or structural bridging.
Bridging can also occur in a situation where the wall head is closed
off by a block laid on its side or through the use of other structural
elements used to support roof valleys. Such bridging of cavity separating
walls can result in significant reduction in sound insulation performance.
Where room-in-roof systems are installed that will rest on the wall
head of the cavity separating wall, it is important to seal any voids or
gaps that may occur at their junction, as shown in Figure 8. It is also
important to seal the top of the cavity with a fire stop.
Movement joints and separating walls
Where possible, movement joints should not be incorporated within
separating walls. Where this is unavoidable these joints should
preferably be concealed behind cupboards, wardrobes, SVP box
linings and storage areas. These areas assist in reducing direct sound
transmission paths and airborne sound leakage. Spacing of movement
joints in each leaf of a cavity masonry walls should be staggered
and not less than 1 m distance apart. The joint may be a maximum
of 20 mm wide with an infill material of a dense flexible bitumen
impregnated board, a maximum 20 mm wide, with a minimum mass
per unit area of 4 kg/m2. The room surface side of the joint may be
sealed with a 20 mm thick flexible polysulphide sealant.
Stepped and staggered walls
The use of steps and staggers in the external wall or supporting structure
can increase the airborne sound insulation performance. Typically a step
or stagger of 300 mm or more will add 2 to 3 dB to the performance,
particularly with cavity walls. However, the use of the wrong wall ties,
mortar collection or cavities that are too narrow can reduce this effect.
Figure 9
Separating wall - cross section at ceiling level
300 mm cavity party wall.
Dense of lightweight
Insulation in roof
aggregate blockwork
100 mm cavity with
Type A wall tiles
Icopal Monarfloor
Wallcap or Bridgestop
Mineral wool
quilt or batt
8 mm render
(parge) coat
Dry lining on slabs
Design options for
separating walls
Recent proposed changes to SAP9, Part L10 and Section 6 (Energy
Scotland)11 make provision for addressing convected heat loss in party
walls through the cavity. The current recommendations in 2009 suggest
fully filling the cavity and sealing it as shown in Figure 9. This may
impact upon the sound insulation performance. In time more specific
compliant solutions will be developed, including Robust Details.
Fully filling the cavity with blown fibre can improve sound insulation
for some frequencies. However, when using blown fibre, care should
be taken to ensure that the density of the fill is uniform. Where the
density of the fibres is increased due to accidental blockages during
the cavity fill process, this may lead to increased sound transmission
across the cavity. If a system of mineral wool quilt or batt is used,
which almost fills the width of the cavity, this would provide a more
controlled fibre distribution within the cavity.
Sealing the perimeter of the cavity can prevent air leakage and reduce
cavity-convected heat loss. It is important that the materials used to
seal the cavity do not introduce a flanking transmission path or an
acoustic bridge. Standard cavity sock closures will not prevent cavity-
convected heat loss. Products such as Icopal Bridgestop or Wallcap can
seal the cavity, reduce convected heat loss, prevent acoustic bridging
and also reduce mortar build up on wall ties.
The use of render coats to the room side of a cavity separating wall
(prior to dry lining) can improve air tightness and seal the wall face.
This also significantly improves sound insulation at low frequencies for
blockwork walls. Drylined walls without render coats can increase the
risk of unfilled or unsealed mortar joints and increase the potential for
sound transmission and also air leakage leading to heat loss. Figure 9
shows design details to deal with heat loss and sound insulation.
Recommended specification for separating walls based
on limiting heat loss and sound transmission:
■■ Compliance with SAP 2009, Part L and Section 6 (Scotland) for heat
loss.
■■ Achieving maximum credits for sound insulation for the Code for
Sustainable Homes and Ecohomes or to comply with the proposed
Section 5: Noise standards (Scotland)12.
■■ 300 mm lightweight aggregate or dense block cavity wall.
■■ 100 mm cavity with Type A wall ties.
■■ Cavity filled with mineral wool quilt or batt.
■■ Icopal Wallcap or Bridgestop cavity seal systems.
■■ Blockwork face sealed with render (parge) coat plus dry lining or
13 mm plaster finish.
7
Table 1
Attached houses: Compliance of masonry separating walls for sound insulation

Wall Cross section Construction E RD CfSH Eco S2010 Comments/notes

a) Core 215 mm, • 215 mm dense block solid wall Yes E-MW-9 0 2 N For houses on raft
TW 291 mm • 13 mm parge coats b/s foundations
• Gypsum board 12.5 kg/m2 b/s

b) Core 215 mm • 215 mm dense block solid wall Yes 3 4 Y * Independent

TW 326 mm • 13 mm parge coat o/s metal stud to be
No offset from wall
• 48 mm ind. metal stud* relevant face by min.10 mm
RD
• 50 mm quilt insulation min. 10 kg/m3
• Gypsum board 12.5 kg/m2 b/s

c) Core 275 mm, • 75 mm cavity wall, dense or Yes E-WM-1 0 2 N * Stagger chases
TW 301 mm lightweight aggregate on each side and
E-WM-2 1 3 avoid back-to-back
• 13 mm plaster* finish b/s
services

d) Core 275 mm, • 75 mm cavity wall, dense or Yes E-WM-3 1 3 N

TW 330 mm light weight aggregate
• OR (a) Besblock 'Star performer' blockwork E-WM-4 1 3
• OR (b) Plasmor 'Aglite Ultima' E-WM-5a 0 2
• 8 mm render coat E-WM-12b 0 2
• Gypsum board 8 kg/m2 b/s

e) Core 275 mm,

.
............. ............. • 75 mm aircrete cavity wall Yes E-WM-6 1 3 N * See RD
.. . . .. . .
TW 330 mm ........... ........... specification for
... ... .. ... ... ... • 8 mm render coat E-WM-10* 0 2
.. . ... . .. . .. .
. ... .. ...
permissible wall
. ... .. .. • Gypsum board 8 kg/m2 b/s E-WM-13** 3 4 ties **Untied party
.... ........ .... ........ wall
. .......
. . .......... ...
.. ........ . .... .....
. .

f) Core 275 – • 75 mm cavity wall, lightweight aggregate Yes E-WM-8 1 3 N

300 mm, or aircrete
TW 316 – E-WM-14 3 4 Y
• OR 100 mm cavity wall
341 mm lightweight aggregate only E-WM-15 1 3 N
• Isowool RD35 batt
• Gypsum board 9.8 kg/m2 b/s

g) Core 300 mm, • 100 mm cavity wall, dense or lightweight Yes E-WM-11 3 4 Y * Does not require
TW 355 mm aggregate dry-lining
E-WM-16 3 4
• OR (Besblock 'Star performer'
blockwork, E-WM-18* 3 4
• 8 mm render coat
• Gypsum board 10 kg/m2 b/s

h) Core 275 mm, • 75 mm lightweight aggregate cavity wall Yes E-WM-17 3 4 Y

TW 316 mm • Isowool RD Party Wall Roll
• Gypsum board 9.8 kg/m2 b/s

i) Core 300 mm, • 100 mm cavity wall, lightweight or dense Yes E-WM-19 4 4 Y For attached
TW 355 mm aggregate houses only
• Icopal Monarfloor Bridgestop
• 8 mm render coat
• Gypsum board 10 kg/m2 b/s

Notes
Core - Core width, TW = Total wall width (minimum)
E - Compliant with Approved Document E
RD - Available Robust Detail (see RD Handbook Part E)
CfSH - Credits for CfSH (refer to RDL web site for updates on credits) www.robustdetails.com – only where RDs have been registered
Eco - Credits for Ecohomes (refer to RDL web site for updates on credits) www.robustdetails.com – only where RDs have been registered
S2010 - Compliant (Y) with Section 5: Noise Scotland proposed 2010 standards

8
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes
Apartments
Separating floors for apartments must comply with both airborne and
impact sound insulation requirements. As described earlier ‘airborne’
performance is referred to as airborne sound insulation and ‘impact’
performance is commonly referred to as impact sound transmission,
due to the test methodology and reporting criteria requirements.
Standard floor systems
Concrete plays a major role in the sound insulation of apartment
floors due to the number of standard separating floor systems
available. The range of standard floor systems offer a variety of
solutions for the developer, architect and engineer. Table 2 lists some
of the floor options.
To achieve the required sound insulation performance levels, all
separating floors need to address the following factors:
■■ Minimum mass per unit area.
■■ Flanking transmission pathways.
■■ Junctions with perimeter supporting and non-supporting walls.
■■ Floor finish types.
■■ Ceiling treatments.
■■ Service penetrations.
With apartments, other factors may also need to be considered,
such as the incorporation of wind posts, external cladding and
reinforcement structural junctions. The wide range of floor finish types
this is described separately under Floor Finishes.
Minimum mass per unit area (kg/m2)
Mass is one of the five key principle factors of sound insulation
that were outlined on page 1. For precast slab or beam and block
separating floors, the minimum mass per unit area should be
300 kg/m2, before the application of any screeds. Some precast floor
slabs are specifically designed to meet the sound requirements for
apartments, and careful attention should be given to slab codings,
often identified by an (H) for homes, such as 150H or 200H.
Table 2
Examples of standard concrete floor systems used in apartments
Floor type Example
Solid singular floor Precast solid slab
element
Precast hollowcore slab
Solid multi-element floor Beam and block
In-situ concrete floor Flat slab or post-tensioned flat slab
Tunnel form
Hybrid concrete floor Plain precast solid slab or hollowcore slab with
in-situ concrete topping
Composite voided biaxial flat slab
Composite lattice girder soffit slab
Insulated concrete floor Slab with sand/cement screed over insulation layer
Precast solid slab, with integrated insulation layer
and in-situ concrete topping
For in-situ concrete floors, normally known as Type 1 floors within
Approved Document E, these should have a minimum mass per
unit area of 365 kg/m2. For hybrid solutions, such as a precast slab
with in-situ concrete topping, the minimum mass per unit area of
the composite floor should also be 365 kg/m2. The Robust Details
Handbook gives specific requirements for thickness and density of
in-situ concrete floors.
To achieve higher airborne sound insulation performance in order
to gain additional credits under the Code for Sustainable Homes or
Ecohomes, it is recommended that the precast floor slab should be a
minimum of 200 mm thick. This improved performance is due to the
enhanced floor slab stiffness and reduced flanking sound transmission
at the exterior wall junctions.
For further information on calculating the mass per unit area of multi-
element floors refer to Approved Document E1 Annex A: Method for
calculating mass per unit area.
Flanking transmission pathways
Floor and wall junctions are crucial design factors in achieving the
required airborne and impact sound performance. Even with the
optimum floor design and construction, the contribution of sound
leakage between apartments at the external walls will often be the
controlling factor in the final sound insulation performance.
There are at least 13 sound transmission pathways between the
rooms in two vertically arranged apartments, involving one direct path
and 12 indirect paths. The indirect sound transmission pathways are
termed flanking pathways. At each wall and floor junction there are
three flanking pathways. As there are at least four walls to a room, this
leads to a total of at least 12 flanking pathways per room. Figure 10
illustrates some of these pathways.
Figure 10
Examples of direct and indirect (flanking) sound transmission
pathways for separating floor junctions at separating walls and
external wall inner leafs
Flat 3 Flat 4
Flat 1 Flat 2
Direct pathway
1) Flanking pathway (room-wall-floor-wall-room)
2) Flanking pathway (room-wall-floor-room)
3) Flanking pathway (room-floor-wall-room)
9
These flanking pathways exist whether the walls are loadbearing or
non-loadbearing. Factors affecting sound transmission at external walls
include:
■■ Type of wall or support (e.g. masonry, precast wall panel, structural
frame wall or curtain wall).
■■ Type of material (e.g. block type, mass per unit area).
■■ Thickness of the wall (e.g. 100, 140, 215 mm).
■■ Linings to the wall (e.g. drylined, plaster, render and drylined,
insulated plasterboard, mountings and fixings).
■■ Floor and wall junctions (see next section).
The type of wall or support can influence the quantity of sound
transmitted, and this will vary according to the length of connections
between the separating floor and the supporting wall or column
element. For example, there is significantly less flanking sound
transmission via concrete columns than via full wall lengths, due to
limited contact area. The type of wall material affects the coupling,
resistance and interaction between the core floor and the wall. This is
why Approved Document E and Robust Details specify ‘mass per unit
area’ for external flanking walls. The thickness of the wall can affect
the specific sound frequencies that are transmitted between the floor
and the wall and into the room.
The linings to the wall can alter the coupling of sound between
core wall and the room. Dry lined walls with cavities behind them
result in drum effects or ‘mass-spring-mass’ resonances as described
for attached houses. These effects can be reduced by increasing the
mass and stiffness of the lining board. Decoupling the wall linings
by using independent (free standing) wall linings or resilient bracket
mountings can reduce direct coupling between core wall and the
dry lining board. The use of absorption quilt between the core wall
and dry lining board can improve sound insulation at mid and high
frequencies; this helps combat general living noise transmitted via
flanking walls.
Figure 11
Cross sections of incorrect and correct junction of the separating floor
with external wall inner leafs and the effect on sound transmission
Flat Y Flat Y
Separating floor Separating floor
Flat X Flat X
Flat X 9-12 dB
more sound
transmitted
a) b)
10
Floor and wall junctions
The junction between separating floors and external walls is one of
the most critical structural build elements for sound transmission
between apartments. It is very important that the separating core
floor breaks the vertical continuity of external walls. The edge of the
separating floor must never abut the face of the perimeter walls.
This applies equally to load bearing and non-loadbearing walls. If the
exterior wall inner leafs are vertically continuous between apartments
this can reduce sound insulation by 9 dB to 12 dB (see Figure 11).
Figure 11 shows how building in the separating floor breaks the vertical
continuity of the inner leaf of the external wall and the quantity of
flanking sound transmission into the downstairs apartment is reduced.
The size of arrows indicates the level of sound being transmitted at each
junction with the source of noise in the upper apartment.
Service penetrations
Service penetrations can be found in many locations in domestic
buildings. In addition there is an increasing number of building services
due to the incorporation of micro-renewables and information
technology services. Where possible, service pipes and cabling should
not pass through separating walls between dwellings.
However, it is common for soil vent pipes (SVPs) to pass vertically
between apartments and these may often extend for the entire height
of the building to roof level. As these pipes and services will result in
continuous voids and openings within the separating floors it is very
important that they are suitably sealed and lined.
SVPs that pass through separating floors must be sealed at their
junction with the floor. The void between the surface of the pipe and the
core floor should be fully sealed with grout. In addition, the pipe should
be wrapped with at least 25 mm mineral wool, of minimum density
10 kg/m3, and the pipe should be boxed with two layers of gypsum-based
board, of minimum mass per unit area 8 kg/m2 (see Figure 12).
Figure 12
How to seal and box vertical SVPs that pass through separating floors
25 mm (min)
Wall framing mineral wool quilt
(min 10 kg/m3)
around pipe
SVP
Pipe boxed in
with two layers
gypsum-based
board, each layer
nominal 8 kg/m3
Separating All voids around
Floor pipe to be sealed
with grout
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes

The boxing frame and drylining should not touch the pipe as this can
lead to structure-borne sound transmission. As with all construction
types, careful attention should be paid to fire resistance of the linings
and seals (refer to Approved Document B: Fire Safety13, Section 7).
Steel columns and wind posts
The structural requirements for some multi-storey apartment
building designs and their geographical site location may require the
incorporation of additional steel columns or steel wind posts. These
additional members may be located in the separating walls or external
walls. They require special consideration as sound can travel through
steel at 5 km/sec and there is very little acoustic damping.
External cladding junctions
In some cases the design of apartments or flats will involve full height
glazing sections or curtain walling. In addition to the glazing elements
there may be mullions and transoms. These can provide significant
flanking sound transmission pathways and care should be taken to
ensure these pathways are attenuated.
Due to the wide range of external glazed cladding designs and
junctions, it is recommended that specialist acoustic advice is sought.
As with normal inner leafs of external walls it is important that there
is a break in the vertical continuity. Similar breaks should also occur in
the horizontally adjacent apartments, as shown in Figure 14.

Figure 14
Separating walls: Where possible, steel columns should not be
External view showing continuity breaks in apartments with glazing or
incorporated into masonry separating (party) wall leafs. Where this is curtain wall facades
unavoidable, specialist acoustic advice should be sought as the design
and adjoining construction elements will be important in determining Horizontal continuity break
the correct solution.

External walls: Bracing columns or wind posts may be located in

the inner leaf of external walls. Wind posts made from steel, and
specifically hollow steel columns, can provide additional flanking
sound transmission routes and lead to increased sound transmission Vertical continuity break
between apartments.

Where possible the vertical continuity of wind posts should be broken

by the floor slab at each floor level, and the top capped and sealed.
Where winds posts are incorporated into external walls of apartments
these should be well sealed and no gaps should remain where they
pass through the wall framework.

Where wind posts are hollow it is good practice to infill these

with grout, concrete or absorption material to prevent the hollow
column providing a conduit for sound transmission. Where this is
not possible the room side of the post should be lined with mineral
Expert acoustic advice at design stage
wool. The drylining should be two layers of gypsum-based board with
It is very important for housebuilders, architects and engineers to
a minimum mass per unit area of 8 kg/m2 per layer. Neither the
engage with acoustic consultants for expert advice at an early design
drylining or fixing mechanism (dab or brackets) should come into
stage of the project. This can avoid delays in the design and build
direct contact with the steel post (see Figure 13). stages, reduce poor performance and later costly remedial measures;
it may also save cost by avoiding over-specification. Some examples
Figure 13 of when to seek expert advice include:
Plan view of hollow steel wind post within the inner leaf of an
external wall ■■ Where apartment designs involve bespoke or complex junctions
between walls and between walls and floors.
■■ Where the architect or engineer has not used such a construction or
product material before.
■■ Where there is no prior performance test evidence for that specific
Inner leaf
design to confirm that it would comply with Part E.
of blockwall
with partially ■■ When steel columns must be placed within the separating wall.
filled cavity
Dabs
■■ When steel wind posts are vertically continuous in the inner leaf of
insulation
external walls.
■■ When curtain walling or large glazing elements with mullions/
Hollow steel wind post 2 layers plasterboard
capped and sealed transoms may not be physically broken by the separating wall or
13 mm mineral wool quilt separating floor.
■■ When plot layouts are not vertically aligned and cavity separating
walls may be bridged by the separating floor.
■■ When using concrete floors with a steel frame where the detailing of
junctions, specifically for separating walls, is critical.

11
Floor finishes
There is an extensive range of floor finish types that can be used with
concrete floor systems. The floor finish contributes to both airborne and
impact performance. In the majority of cases the floor finish system will
be composed of a wet and dry system, which collectively will increase
mass, improve isolation and increase resilience to footfall noise.
The three most common forms of floor finish are:
■■ Bonded soft (resilient) floor coverings.
■■ Floating screeds with an integral isolation layer.
■■ Floating floor treatments.
All of the above three floors will then have a ‘living’ finish applied,
such as carpets, laminate, wooden floor or tiles.
Bonded soft (resilient) floor coverings
These are composed of thin resilient layers ranging in thickness from
3 mm to 10 mm. They are commonly placed on Type 1 floors (in-situ
concrete), which have a minimum mass per unit area of 365 kg/m2.
They are also used for some hybrid floors using precast slabs, with direct
pour screeds or in-situ structural toppings.
Generally these floor coverings provide a simple solution to meeting the
impact sound transmission requirements for separating floors. The sound
insulation performance information for bonded soft floor covering is often
stated following a test directly on the material before any ‘living’ surface
is added. However, in real life, such surfacing may be a hard floor such as
laminate or wood board, and in these cases the acoustic performance can
be markedly reduced in comparison to a soft floor covering.
Performance testing in laboratories of soft floor coverings is normally
undertaken by comparing the impact sound transmission of the core
floor with and without the soft floor covering applied. This effective
difference is known as a D (delta) dB performance. The higher the
value the better the insulation performance of the floor covering. For
example a core floor (no soft floor covering) may have an impact
performance of 70 dB Lw, but with the soft covering applied this may
be reduced to 38 dB Lw, an improvement of 32 dB.
Following a Defra research project14 evaluating the impact sound
insulation performance of wood and laminate flooring, the
performance difference due to such hard flooring was identified. There
was an improvement of between 28 dB and 42 dB in performance
across a range of sample soft floor coverings. When hard flooring
was laid over the soft floor coverings, the improvement was only
19 to 21dB, demonstrating a significant drop in performance when
such hard floor surfaces are applied. Thus, when choosing a soft floor
covering the specifier should request data demonstrating performance
with a hard floor laid over it.
Testing of soft floor coverings should be undertaken in accordance
with ISO 140-815. Further details on testing and reporting
methodologies may be found in Approved Document E, Annex B3 and
Robust Details Handbook, Appendix G.
12
Figure 15
Recommended perimeter detail for a) isolation layers with separate
perimeter flanking strips and b) continuous isolation layers with
upstands
Gypsum board
Dab
Skirting
Separate perimeter isolation flanking
edge strip
Screed
Isolation layer laid over slab and fully
sealed at edges
15a) Separate isolation edge strips
Continuous lining wrapped up wall and
returned under wall lining and skirting
Screed
Continuous isolation
lining fully sealed at edges
15b) Continuous isolation lining
Floating screeds with an integral isolation layer
The most common form of floor finish for concrete floors is the floating
screed. The primary elements of this construction involve the installation
over the core floor slab of an isolation material, typically 5 to 10 mm
thick, with a screed poured over this. The screed may be a sand-cement
screed or a self-levelling proprietary flowing screed and will provide
additional mass and stiffness to the floor.
The isolation layer reduces the direct sound energy transmission from
screed to slab and adjacent structures. This is installed with overlap at
the sheet edges and sealed with tape or adhesive.
With the addition of the isolating layer and the screed, both the
airborne and impact sound insulation are increased. However, careful
attention must be paid to a number of elements to avoid bridging the
screed to the floor and perimeter walls. Where there is screed bridging,
the expected target impact performance is significantly reduced.
Examples of screed bridging include:
■■ Gaps or breaks in the isolation layer which allow the screed to
come into contact or ‘bridge’ with the core slab.
■■ Gaps or breaks in the isolation layer or special perimeter linings
(flanking strips) at the perimeter with the walls, causing the screed
to bridge with the walls or wall linings.
■■ Where the flanking strips or isolation upstands are not installed
between the underside of the skirting and the screed, thus
incorrectly allowing the skirting board to be hard down and bridge
(touch) the screed.
■■ Where the SVPs are not correctly isolated or wrapped and the
screed is allowed to come into contact with the pipe.
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes
These installations should be regularly checked and supervised to ensure
that the isolation materials, screed and any special flanking strips are
installed correctly. In addition, checks should be made to ensure that the
follow-on trades such as wall linings and skirting works do not remove
or cut away the important perimeter flanking strips at the walls. Figure
15 shows examples of how installation should be undertaken at the
perimeters using isolation layers with separate perimeter flanking strips
or using continuous isolation layers incorporating an upstand. A number
of these systems are proprietary; for further information, refer to the
Robust Details Handbook or specific manufacturer’s instructions.
The correct installation of these floors can lead to good sound insulation
levels. They also can allow the incorporation of underfloor heating.
When underfloor heating is installed care should be taken to avoid using
any fixing mechanism that may puncture the isolation lining.
Floating floor treatments (FFTs)
Floating floor treatments or FFTs commonly refer to wood-based
flooring treatments that incorporate an isolation or resilient layer. Their
thickness may range from 20 mm to 95 mm depending on the type
of FFT adopted and the requirement for service voids or underfloor
heating. There are typically five FFT classifications, as shown in Figure 16.
For Part E performance requirements these floating floor treatments
should be used only where the supporting core floor and screed or
structural topping has a combined minimum mass per unit area of
365 kg/m2.
The performance improvement due to FFTs can be 3 dB to 15 dB for
airborne and 10 dB to 35 dB for impact sound resistance, depending on
the product or FFT system. Effective performance of the FFT depends on:
■■ Correct installation of the system floor deck.
■■ Avoidance of fixings that might penetrate through the resilient
layer and acoustically bridge to the core floor.
■■ Correct installation of perimeter flanking strips to isolate the
floorboards from the perimeter walls, wall linings and skirtings.
Approved Document E and the Robust Details Handbook set specific
impact reduction performance requirements for specified floating floor
treatments. Further information on floating floor treatment products
maybe found from the acoustic systems manufacturers through their
industry organisation (www.pasm.org.uk).
Figure 16
Example cross sections of the five floating floor treatments
70 mm
(min.)*
FTT 1 - Resilient composite deep batten system
• 18 mm (min) tongue and groove flooring board
• Resilient layer must be continuous and pre-bonded to batten
• Resilient composite deep battens
• Battens may have the resilient layer at the top or the bottom
• Ensure any services do not bridge the resilient layer
50 mm
(min.)*
10 mm
(min.)*
FTT 2 - Resilient cradle and batten system
• 18 mm (min) tongue and groove flooring board
• Resilient cradle and batten
• Ensure services do not bridge the resilient layer
45 mm
(min.)*
FTT 3 - Resilient composite standard batten system
• 18 mm (min) tongue and groove flooring board
• Resilient layer must be continuous and pre-bonded to batten
• Resilient composite standard battens
• Battens may have the resilient layer at the top or the bottom
• Ensure any services do not bridge the resilient layer
FTT 4 - Resilient overlay platform floor system
• Proprietary platform system inclusive of resilient layer
greater than or equal to 16 kg/m2 mass per unit area
• No services to be installed in floor system
. . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .
FTT 5 - Resilient overlay shallow platform floor system
• 9 mm (min) tongue and groove flooring board
• Resilient layer pre-bonded to flooring system
• No services to be installed in floor system
* Minimum from Robust Details
13
Ceiling finish types Figure 17
The ceiling finish and support system can have an integral role in the Examples of ceiling systems for apartments
airborne and impact sound insulation performance. Ceiling void depths
vary from 50 mm to 200 mm. The incorporation of service pipes and
ventilation ducts often require a minimum ceiling void depth of
150 mm. Figure 17 shows examples of different ceiling systems.

The support mechanisms for the ceiling may be:

■■ Timber battens (typically 50 mm void depth).
■■ Timber battens with timber counter battens (typically 100 mm a) Deep metal frame ceiling
void depth) (see Figure 17b).
■■ Timber battens with resilient bars* (typically 65 mm void depth)
(see Figure 17d).
■■ Metal frame ceilings (typically 100 to 200 mm void depth) (see
Figure 17a) and c).
■■ Independent ceiling systems (typically 150 to 250 mm void depth).

b) Timber counter batten ceiling

The greater the ceiling void depth and the greater the isolation
between core floor and the ceiling board the better the sound
insulation performance.

The incorporation of mineral wool within the ceiling voids can

improve airborne and impact sound insulation. Generally the mineral
wool quilt or batt thickness should be no more than 50 per cent of
c) Shallow metal frame ceiling
the void depth, due to decreasing marginal benefits. Care should be
taken to ensure that the presence of insulation within the ceiling void
does not cause recessed lighting to overheat.

Fair-faced concrete soffits – or

those with directly-applied finishes
To benefit fully from the thermal mass of a concrete soffit a range
d) Timber batten with resilient bars
of new details are being developed which have yet to be submitted
for incorporation as Robust Details. Exemplars include One Brighton,
a mixed-use development in Brighton. The acoustic mass of such
floors may be sufficiently high as to not to require additional ceiling
systems. Some ceiling systems may also reduce the performance
of a separating floor due to introducing additional void (or cavity)
resonances at low frequencies.

* The performance of resilient bars is highly dependent on the quality of installation.

The ceiling board fixings should come into contact only with the resilient bars and must
not touch the timber batten as this will lead to a bypass of the resilient bar, forming an
acoustic bridge.

14
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes

Separating floors
Table 3 lists a number of masonry separating floor construction details in use, along with their Robust Detail code reference and the points available
for CfSH and Ecohomes.

Table 3
Compliance of concrete floors for sound insulation.

Floor Cross section Construction E RD CfSH Eco S2010 Comments/notes

a) • FFT floor finish Yes E-FC-1 See Notes See Robust Detail
specification for FFT
• Direct pour screed options and ceiling
• Precast concrete slab min. 300 kg/m2 options
• Suspended ceiling

b) • Floating screed on Yes a) E-FC-4 See Notes See Robust Detail

• a) 6 mm Isorubber Base for specification and
b) E-FC-5 specialist edge strips
• or b) 10 mm Yelofon HD+ (both systems
use specialist perimeter edge strips) c) RD E-FC-12
• Precast concrete slab min. 300 kg/m2
• Suspended ceiling
• or c) 3mm Isorubber base

c) • Floating screed on 8 mm Regupol, Yes E-FC-6 See Notes See Robust Detail
(continuous isolation layer) specification for wall
and tongue and groove
• Screed topping floor junctions and FFT
• Beam and block floor min. 300 kg/m2 options

• Suspended ceiling with 50 mm quilt insulation

d) • Screed topping and FFT Yes E-FC-7 See Notes See Robust Detail
specification for wall
• Beam and block floor min. 300 kg/m2 and tongue and groove
• Suspended ceiling with 25 mm quilt insulation floor junctions

e) • Bonded resilient floor cover Yes E-FC-8 See Notes See Robust Detail
specification for
• Floating screed on dual isolation layer isolation layers and
• Precast concrete slab min. 300 kg/m2 bonded resilient cover
specification
• Suspended ceiling

f) • 3 mm Thermal Economics Isorubber top Yes E-FC-9 See Notes See Robust Detail
specification
• Direct pour screed
• Concrete slab min. 300 kg/m2
• Suspended ceiling

g) • 3 mm Isorubber top Yes E-FC-10 See Notes See Robust Detail

specification
• Min. 175 mm in-situ concrete slab
• Suspended ceiling

h) • Floating screed on 10 mm Monarfloor Yes E-FC-11 See Notes See Robust Detail
Tranquilt (continuous isolation layer) specification
• Precast concrete slab min. 300kg/m2
• Suspended ceiling

Notes
Robust Details are regularly updated; refer to www.robustdetails.com for latest details
E - Compliant with Approved Document E
RD - Available Robust Detail (see RD Handbook Part E)
CfSH, Eco, S2010 The potential for apartment credits and sound insulation performance also depends on the separating wall option chosen, the type of flanking blockwork
used, ceiling type and FFT (where required). The performance for Section 5: Noise Scotland also depends on these factors. See Robust Details Handbook and website for
specific specifications and Code credits, or seek specialist acoustic advice.

15
 How to achieve acoustic performance in masonry homes

References
1 OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER. Approved Document E: Resistance to the passage of sound.
(2003 Edition incorporating 2004 amendments). ODPM, London.
2 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN ISO 140, Part 4: Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and building elements
- Field measurements of airborne sound insulation between rooms. BSI, London, 1998.
3 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN ISO 717, Part 1: Acoustics – Ratings of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements
- Airborne sound insulation. BSI, London, 1997.
4 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION, BS EN ISO 140, Part 7: Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and building elements
- Field measurements of impact sound insulation of floors. BSI, London, 1998.
5 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN ISO 717, Part 2: Acoustics – Ratings of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements
- Impact sound insulation. BSI, London, 1997.
6 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Code for Sustainable Homes, Technical Guidance. May 2009. CLG, London, 2009.
7 BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT. Ecohomes 2006 (with 2009 amendments). The environmental rating for homes. The guidance Issue 1.2. BRE Ltd, Watford.
8 ROBUST DETAILS LTD. Robust Details Handbook Part E: Resistance to the passage of sound (Edition 3), Robust Details Ltd, 2009.
9 BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT Standard Assessment Procedure for energy rating of dwellings. Draft SAP 2009 (Version 9.9) BRE Ltd., Watford, 2009.
10 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Proposed changes to Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations: A consultation paper.
DCLG, London, 2009.
11 SCOTTISH BUILDING STANDARDS. Proposed Amendment to the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 – A review of standards and guidance in the
Technical Handbooks on Section 6: Energy (incorporating minor changes to Section 3: Environment; Ventilation Guidance) Consultation. 2 SBS, Livingston, 2009.
12 SCOTTISH BUILDING STANDARDS. Proposed amendments to the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004: A review of standards and guidance in the Technical
Handbooks on Section 5: Noise (Consultation – Annex B: Domestic – Noise: 2010 draft). SBS, Livingston. 2008.
13 COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. Approved Document B (2006 Edition) Fire safety – dwelling houses. DCLG, London.
14 DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS. Defra Research Report. The development and production of a guide for noise control
from laminated and wooden flooring, T Waters-Fuller et al. Defra, London, 2005.
15 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN ISO 140, Part 8: Acoustics – Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and building elements –
Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted impact noise by floor coverings on a heavyweight standard floor. BSI, London, 1998.

The author is Director of the Institute for Sustainable Construction (ISC) and Professor of Construction Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University
(www.napier.ac.uk). He is also senior acoustic consultant with RMP Acoustics (www.rmp.biz) and external technical advisor to Robust Details Ltd
(www.robustdetails.com).

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