Introduction

The following information is intended to introduce the key elements of Part E: Resistance to Passage of Sound. Wherever possible the relevant document contents or sections are included with each set of regulations.

Use the link below for the full building regulations document;

• Note: All information is current as of January 2006, as is subject to change.

Sound from adjoining buildings

Dwelling-houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes shall be designed and constructed in such a way that they provide reasonable resistance to sound from other parts of the same building and from adjoining buildings.
Part E1. (1) Protection against sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings

Section 1: Pre-completion testing
Section 2: Separating walls and associated flanking constructions for new buildings
Section 3: Separating floors and associated flanking constructions for new buildings

Sound from within the building

Dwelling-houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes shall be designed and constructed in such a way that –
(a) internal walls between a bedroom or a room containing a water closet, and other rooms;
and
(b) internal floors
provide reasonable resistance to sound.
Part E2. (1) Protection against sound within a dwelling-house etc.

Note: Requirement E2 does not apply to;
(a) an internal wall which contains a door
(b) an internal wall which separates an en suite toilet from the associated bedroom
(c) existing walls and floors in a building which is subject to a material change of use.

Section 4: Dwelling-houses and flats formed by material change of use
Section 5: Internal walls and floors for new buildings
Section 6: Rooms for residential purposes

Sound reverberation

The common internal parts of buildings which contain flats or rooms for residential purposes shall be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent more reverberation around the common parts than is reasonable.
Part E3. (1) Reverberation in the common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes

Requirement E3 only applies to corridors, stairwells, hallways and entrance halls which give access to the flat or room for residential purposes.

Section 7: Reverberation in the common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes

Further information and useful links

• Making structural changes to your property
• Full guide to the building regulations
• Walls & ceilings topics

• Find a Builder near you
• Find an Architect near you
• Find an Chartered Surveyor near you

• Building Regulations an explanatory booklet (odpm.gov.uk)
• Party Wall Guidance (rics.org)
• Impact of the Party Wall Act 1996 (odpm.gov.uk)