Useful Links

Approved Document E Resistance to the passage of sound

This is Part E of the Building Regulations 2010, which relates to sound insulation and acoustics within houses, flats, rooms for residential purposes and acoustic conditions within schools. An online version of Approved Document E 2021 is available at the following link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resistance-to-sound-approved-document-e

Approved Document O Overheating

Part O of the Building Regulations 2010 covers the overheating mitigation requirements of the building regulations for new residential buildings. Paragraphs 3.2 to 3.4 relate to internal noise levels in bedrooms at night. An online version of Approved Document O 2003 (incorporating 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2015 amendments) is available at the following link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/overheating-approved-document-o

BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)

BREEAM is an environmental assessment method for buildings with standard schemes available for a variety of developments including courts, healthcare, industrial, prison, office, retail and educational developments. Bespoke assessment schemes are also available for other types of buildings (e.g. leisure complexes). Contact WBM if you need help to obtain BREEAM acoustic credits for your project.

http://www.breeam.com

Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic design of schools – performance standards

Acoustic conditions within schools are covered by the Building Regulations 2010 under Approved Document E as Requirement E4. Building Bulletin 93 ‘Acoustic design of schools: performance standards’ (BB93) 2015 sets out the acoustic requirements of school buildings and describes the normal means of demonstrating compliance with Requirement E4. BB93 also gives guidance on how to meet the acoustic requirements of the School Premises Regulations (2012) and the Independent School Standards (2013). An online version of BB93 is available at the following link.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bb93-acoustic-design-of-schools-performance-standards

There is also an accompanying document to provide supporting guidance and recommendations on the acoustic design of schools, prepared by the IOA and ANC:

https://www.association-of-noise-consultants.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Acoustics-of-Schools-a-design-guide-November-2015.pdf

Court and Tribunal Design Guide

HM Courts & Tribunals Services published an updated Court and Tribunal Design Guide in 2023:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-and-tribunal-design-guide

This document covers a wide range of disciplines but also addresses acoustics and covers the strategy for acoustic considerations within these types of buildings, and how it is a vital contribution towards a successful design.

Environment Agency – Method implementation document for BS 4142

This Method implementation document (MID) sets out the Environment Agency’s requirements for BS 4142 assessments that are submitted for a new permit, or for varying any existing permit. The links for the MID, and also for the noise and vibration requirements for environmental permits are set out below

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/method-implementation-document-mid-for-bs-4142
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/noise-and-vibration-management-environmental-permits/noise-and-vibration-management-environmental-permits

Health Technical Memorandum 08-01: Acoustics

This Department of Health guidance document (HTM 08-01) sets out acoustic criteria for the design and management of new healthcare facilities. An online version of HTM 08-01 2013 is available at the following link.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/health-sector-buildings-acoustic-design-requirements-htm-08-01/

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s planning policies for England. The policies within the NPPF most relevant to noise can be summarised as follows:

Development proposals should:

• Avoid exposure to levels of noise that could have an unacceptable adverse effect on health and the quality of life
• Not give rise to unacceptable levels of noise, on or beyond the site; adverse impacts of this nature should be avoided where possible or mitigated to an acceptable degree
• Mitigate and reduce to a minimum potential adverse impacts resulting from noise
• Not result in levels of noise exposure which would have a significant observed adverse effect
• Maintain the character of tranquil areas

With regard to the impact of development on existing activities (‘Agent of Change’ principle):

• Existing activities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on their current or permitted operations as a result of development being approved after they were established
• Where the operation of an existing activity could have a significant adverse effect on proposed new development, the development proposals should be able to demonstrate that suitable mitigation can be provided

With regard to noise from minerals:

• Proposals for mineral development should not create unacceptable adverse impact – appropriate noise limits should be established and unavoidable noise mitigated

An online version of the document is available at the following link.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework

Planning practice guidance to support the framework with regard to noise is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/noise–2

The NPSE set out policies to promote good health and a good quality of life through the management of noise. Previous versions of the NPPF referred to the Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) published in March 2010 and are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/noise-policy-statement-for-england

Noise Emissions from Minerals Extraction

Guidance on noise emissions from minerals extraction sites is available in paragraphs 019-022 of the Planning Practice Guidance “Assessing environmental impacts from minerals extraction”, see the following link:

http://gov.uk/guidance/minerals#Assessing-environmental-impacts-from-minerals-extraction

Professional Practice Guidance on Planning and Noise (ProPG)

ProPG was published in May 2017 by the Association of Noise Consultants, the Institute of Acoustics and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. It was prepared to provide practitioners with guidance on a recommended approach to the management of primarily transportation noise affecting new residential developments. A copy of the document is available here:

https://www.ioa.org.uk/publications/propg