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02 · Building Regulations · Part E

Sound insulation testing

Pre-completion sound testing checks that the separating walls and floors between homes block enough airborne and impact sound to meet Part E of the Building Regulations. It applies to new attached homes and flats, and to homes created by conversion.

DWGuide by Dan Wallis · Updated 27 September 2026

This guide covers the rules in England. See Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

78 sound testersPart E
Who needs oneAnyone building attached homes or flats, or converting a building into homes
Who can do itA testing body with UKAS accreditation or registered with the ANC scheme
WhenWhen the building is complete apart from decoration, before carpets go down

78 sound testers listed across the UK

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Find sound testers by region

London (20) South East (11) East of England (9) South West (13) West Midlands (11) East Midlands (4) Yorkshire and the Humber (10) North West (13) Scotland (3) Northern Ireland (8)

National providers (52)

Hepworth Acoustics

Based in Manchester, Greater Manchester · Covers UK-wide from offices in Manchester (head office), Liverpool, Sheffield, Birmingham, London, South West and South Wales Accreditation stated by provider: ANC, Constructionline Silver, Avetta
Own websiteUK-wide
Sound insulation testing
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Regional providers (check they cover your area) (1)

How many homes need testing?

Building control will normally expect tests on the first home of each type completed, then at least one set of tests for every ten further homes of that type. A "set" is between two and six individual airborne and impact tests, depending on how the homes are built.

Robust Details: the alternative for many new builds

Many new-build projects can avoid pre-completion testing by using separating wall and floor designs from the Robust Details scheme. The plots must be registered with the scheme before work starts and built exactly as specified. Conversions normally need testing, so check with your building control body.

Getting ready for the test

  • Doors and windows fitted and closed, with no carpets or soft furnishings in place
  • Electricity on, so the tester can run their equipment
  • Access to both sides of each wall or floor being tested

In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

This guide describes the rules in England. Building regulations are devolved, so here is how sound insulation testing works in the rest of the UK.

Wales

The approach is the same as in England: at least one set of tests per ten homes of each type, Robust Details as an alternative for new builds, and testing for homes created by conversion. Results go to building control within 5 days.

Scotland

Section 5 (Noise) sets tougher standards than England’s: separating walls and floors must achieve at least 56 dB for airborne sound and no more than 56 dB for impact sound. The number of tests comes from a table based on how many homes share each type of construction. Robust Details (Scotland) can be used instead for many new builds.

Northern Ireland

Technical Booklet G asks for at least one set of tests per ten homes of each type, including homes created by conversion. Robust Details are accepted for new-build attached homes. Results go to the council within 5 days.

Common questions

Do detached houses need sound testing?

No. Pre-completion testing applies where homes share a wall or floor.

What if a test fails?

The cause is investigated and fixed, and the test is repeated. Building control may also ask for more homes of the same type to be tested.

Does a flat conversion need testing?

Usually yes. Homes formed by a change of use are covered by the testing requirement, and the Robust Details route is not normally available for them.

How many homes need testing?

Building control normally expects tests on the first home of each type completed, then at least one set of tests for every ten further homes of that type. A set is between two and six individual airborne and impact tests.

Can I avoid sound testing on a new build?

Often, yes, by using separating wall and floor designs from the Robust Details scheme. The plots must be registered with the scheme before work starts and built exactly as specified.

New to the jargon? See our glossary of terms, from air permeability to TrustMark.