Backing received to help UK companies

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 27, 2006

AV Technology 's position as one of Europe' leading noise and vibration experts has been confirmed with it receiving national accreditation.

AV Technology 's (AVT) position as one of Europe' leading noise and vibration experts has been confirmed with it receiving national accreditation.

AVT, whose engineering solutions include assisting clients with sound testing new and converted buildings, in accordance with Part E of the Building Regulations, has this month received the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) endorsement.

UKAS data shows that only 12 companies have achieved the accreditation to date, with only two companies holding the certification in the UK's north-west.

The government effectively introduced the Building Regulations in July 2003 to introduce requirements for the testing of sound insulation between dwellings.

The regulations state that the tests, which check whether builders are achieving performance standards in new homes, should preferably be carried out by consultancies that hold the UKAS accreditation.

James Ormerod, AVT acoustic consultant, said testing and research have proven that separating walls and floors, which should be capable of providing satisfactory levels of sound insulation did not do so in practice.

The government's major changes to approved Document E of the Building Regulations require a sample of pre-completion testing of separating walls and floors prior to handover to ensure that designed performance is achieved.

Subject to the type of building construction, Building Control can require as many as one set of tests for every ten dwelling-houses, flats or rooms for residential purposes in a group or sub-group.

The sound testing consists of two separate assessments.

AVT firstly, measure the construction's resistance to the passage of impact sound by placing a tapping machine on the floor of the construction being tested and measuring the level in the receiving room underneath.

The building's resistance to the passage of airborne sound is then measured by placing a known steady source of noise on one side of the wall or floor, and measuring the amount transmitted to the neighbouring room, gauging how much noise the wall or floor resists.

The measurement procedure used to determine the airborne sound insulation is in accordance with IS0 140 - 4 and the measurement procedure used to determine the impact sound insulation is in accordance with IS0 140 - 7.

AVT are accredited by UKAS to carry out both of these.

Mr Ormerod said AVT has been carrying out sound testing for building regulations for four years and testing with other regulations for over 15 years, ensuring its clients remain a step ahead of regulations' requirements while providing state-of-the-art facilities.

"AVT has considerable experience in conducting the airborne and impact sound insulation testing that is required through the building regulations," Mr Ormerod said.

"We pride ourselves on our quality of service and are fully UKAS and ISO 9001:2000 accredited".

Mr Ormerod concluded: "We are able to mobilise at very short notice to ensure a fast efficient service".