Building acoustics design

ARM Acoustics are able to offer a fully integrated acoustics design service for all types of building, including: residential; commercial and industrial buildings; schools, etc. Whatever the nature of the building, the design must consider the specific needs of the end user and provide an appropriate acoustic environment. Residential development and new school development is also obliged to meet certain statutory requirements, as set out within Part E of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations.

Approved Document E requires that reasonable resistance to sound is provided both between and within residential dwellings, flats and rooms for residential purposes and that reverberation is appropriately controlled within common internal areas of such premises. Planning authorities will also require that noise from the exterior is properly controlled through design of the building envelope and the ventilation scheme.

Building Bulletin 93 considers the acoustics requirements of schools and addresses issues of the transmission of sound between adjacent spaces, appropriate control of reverberation, control of noise from the exterior and appropriate ambient noise levels within teaching spaces etc. Other building types will also face similar acoustic issues, although generally there will be no statutory requirements.

We have extensive experience, working with developers and architects or as part of multi-disciplinary teams, to deliver schemes that meet the specific requirements of the end user, are fit for purpose and developed in accordance with best practice and statutory requirements. Our services include:

• Specification of design requirements;

• Assessment of sound insulation for external and separating structures;

• Provision of good acoustic environments within buildings;

• Acoustic product specification;

• Acoustics design and specification for mechanical services; and

• Commissioning.