Sound proofing regs fall on deaf ears

The construction industry is still largely in the dark about the recently revised Part E Building Regulations, according to Tarmac Precast Concrete.

Research commissioned by Tarmac into current trends and developments in partition walling systems showed that many builders are unaware of the change in the minimum decibel level ratings, but were clued up about thermal values.

"We all know that Building Regulations are extensive and constantly changing but this significant development in noise reduction requirements certainly seems to have slipped through almost unnoticed," said Ian Coates, general manager of Tarmac's soon to be launched Speediwall partition walling system.

Knowledge of Part E was highest among office-based staff specifying and buying material, but was less extensive among those on site.

"We were surprised by these findings since, aside from the regulatory aspect, noise levels are a subject frequently covered in the consumer media," said Coates.

Tarmac says sound reduction is one of the key benefits of Speediwall, which is being introduced to the UK later this year.

"Speediwall has been designed for the construction of non-load bearing walls in apartments, industrial and commercial buildings, offering a speed of installation comparable with stud partitioning but with the sound reduction qualities of block walling," said Coates.

The Tarmac research covered a cross section of builders and contractors, including those involved in the construction of flats.