The Building Safety Group

What are you looking for?

01 July 2021

Why contractors should be thinking about acoustic health

Contractors should be thinking about acoustic health and what they can do to improve current standards, argues Ben Hancock.

It’s long been recognised that poor acoustics and excess levels of noise inside buildings can be bad for occupants’ health. Today, housing developers and office space owners are assessing the harmful effects of noise and how to integrate solutions into building design.

As well as meeting regulatory requirements, they want to create a healthy sound environment, where communication is made easier, and stress levels are kept to a minimum. This is even more pertinent in the post-Covid landscape, where wellbeing and safety concerns have been amplified.

We need architectural design and building construction that consider these aspects alongside the usual stipulations for visual aesthetics, thermal comfort and environmental impact.

What’s ringing the changes?

Densification is bringing people closer together in towns and cities and retaining peaceful environments within homes and workspaces is becoming more difficult.

Meanwhile, the future of office space is hotly debated. Acoustics must be a priority here as new configurations may alter sound levels.

At the same time, regulations and codes of practice that protect building occupants (see box) must also be adhered to.

Tools to improve acoustic standards

Acoustics are influenced by room geometry and distribution of acoustic absorption either through interior finishes or the introduction of sound absorbing products. Cavity insulation and acoustic hangers offer noise transfer reduction between rooms, while seamless and decorative coatings are increasingly used to ensure acoustically balanced spaces.

Treatments like fire-rated acoustic sprays and plasters for ceilings and walls can reduce reverberation significantly without design compromise. Some acoustic decorative finishes on the market can be quickly and effectively applied to most surfaces and construction configurations. This allows minimum working down time in existing structures and the ability to meet critical deadlines in new construction.

Benefits of quality acoustics

WELL recommends the use of acoustic materials that absorb sound ‘to support concentration and reduce reverberation’. As such, ‘sound reducing surfaces’ are listed in the WELL V2 accreditation document, which awards two points to buildings that have undergone a specialist treatment, such as an acoustic finish.

There are environmental benefits too. High quality sprays made of recycled, natural plant-based fibres and specialist water-based adhesives can contribute towards many sustainable design and health certification systems including BREEAM, SKA, Living Building Challenge and adds up to 17 points towards the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating of a project.

As JLL recently confirmed in its report The Impact of Sustainability on Value new Grade A office buildings in central London with a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ or better achieved higher rents than those without a rating.

During a time where office occupancy rates have fallen, adding this kind of value to a building during a Cat A build makes it an attractive proposition in a competitive market. Construction teams with experience of building techniques and specialist treatments for end-user acoustic comfort are guaranteed to impress.

Noise regulations checklist for construction managers
  • Under the regulations, the internal airborne sound resistance inside any dwelling must be a minimum of 40dB. It applies to walls and upper floors between bedrooms and other rooms (there is one exception: any wall that has a door in it and walls to en-suite bathrooms)
  • For impact sound such as footsteps, jumping and dropped objects, a maximum impact sound transmittance level of 62dB is set for floors and stairs in new builds. A maximum of 64dB is set for conversion projects.
Useful links

Ben Hancock is managing director of Oscar Acoustics

Source: Construction Manager
Further information can be found on the Construction Manager website.

Back to news

Latest News

New BSG Seminar – Working with Asbestos

05 December 2024

New BSG Seminar – Working with Asbestos

Read more
BSG Weather Alert – Secure Your Site

22 November 2024

BSG Weather Alert – Secure Your Site

Read more
Become a BSG member today

Membership

Become a BSG member today

The impact of a major accident on a company can be devastating. Apart from the human cost, the financial costs can be enough to force a business to cease trading.

We offer a range of membership packages to suit your business needs.

Find out more

What our members say

“With health and safety at the forefront of all that we do our membership of The Building Safety Group (BSG) is invaluable to us. The service is first class and is delivered by consummate professionals who are totally in tune with our needs and requirements.”

Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd

“BSG’s training was insightful, engaging and has provided me with invaluable knowledge for my job. Thank you BSG.”

BSG Training delegate

“City & Country is rapidly expanding as a business and we needed a health and safety partner that could provide us with national coverage. This is why we selected The Building Safety Group (BSG), who have a UK network of health and safety resources that can support our needs as we grow.

We also firmly believe that joining BSG will strengthen our reputation as a construction company by helping us to continue to deliver the highest standards in health and safety.”

City & Country

“BSG are clearly experts in health and safety training for the construction industry.”

CTS

“We have a responsibility to deliver the highest standards in health and safety for our workforce. This is why we became members of The Building Safety Group (BSG), whose professional and expert advice help to ensure that we remain compliant with industry regulations. We would highly recommend The Building Safety Group.”

E.G. Carter

“With health and safety at the forefront of all that we do our membership of The Building Safety Group (BSG) is invaluable to us. The service is first class and is delivered by consummate professionals who are totally in tune with our needs and requirements.”

Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd

“BSG’s training was insightful, engaging and has provided me with invaluable knowledge for my job. Thank you BSG.”

BSG Training delegate

Contact us

Today to find out more about how we can help you operate both your team and your business safely and in total compliance.

Membership

0300 304 9070

New membership sales

0300 304 9070

Technical Support

0300 304 9070

Marketing and Events

0300 304 9090

5 Pinkers Court
Briarlands Office Park
Gloucester Road, Rudgeway
Bristol BS35 3QH

 

Company No. 01109090
VAT No. 139 9633 27

Download our brochure

Summary of Services

© The Building Safety Group Ltd 2024

The Building Safety Group is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Privacy Notice

Terms & conditions