EPISODE: 021 - APPROVED DOCUMENTS D AND E - TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND RESISTANCE TO THE PASSAGE OF SOUND
- Piotr Bytnar BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructE
- Nov 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 19
BYTNAR - TALKS
EPISODE 021 - APPROVED DOCUMENTS D AND E - TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND RESISTANCE TO THE PASSAGE OF SOUND
This episode is for people who want to know more about Approved Document Part D and E – Toxic Substances and Resistance to the Passage of Sound.
You should like this episode if you ask yourself questions like:
What does Requirement D1 of Approved Document D say about cavity insulation and indoor air quality?
How can insulation materials impact indoor air pollution, and what are the safety guidelines?
What are the key sound insulation requirements in Approved Document E?
How does Requirement E1 address sound resistance between adjoining buildings and parts of a building?
What are the standards for reducing sound transmission within a dwelling house according to Requirement E2?
How do you prevent excessive reverberation in common areas like corridors and stairwells in residential buildings (Requirement E3)?
What acoustic conditions must be met in schools under Requirement E4, and where can I find the specific standards?
What is Regulation 41, and when is sound insulation testing required for new buildings?
How do Robust Details Ltd-approved methods provide exemptions from sound insulation testing requirements?
So this is it, folks—the Approved Documents D and E: Toxic Substances and Resistance to the Passage of Sound.
Let’s sum it up:
Approved Document D: Toxic Substances
Requirement D1: Cavity InsulationRemember, when insulating material is inserted into a cavity wall, measures must be taken to prevent toxic fumes—especially from formaldehyde—from permeating into occupied parts of the building. This can be prevented by ensuring:
That cavity wall leaves are of masonry construction, assessed to BS EN 1028
That installation is done by a certified person
That the material used conforms to BS 5617 and BS 5618 standards
Approved Document E: Resistance to the Passage of Sound
This document has four requirements: E1 to E4
E1 – Sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings
The design and construction of the elements must provide reasonable resistance to sound from other parts of the same building and adjoining buildings.
E2 – Sound within a dwelling-house
Internal walls and floors must provide reasonable sound resistance, especially between bedrooms and living rooms.
E3 – Reverberation in common internal parts
Design and construction must prevent excessive reverberation from corridors, stairwells, hallways, and entrance halls in buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes.
E4 – Acoustic conditions in schools
This refers us to the Department for Education standards—specifically, Building Bulletin 93.
Regulation 41: Sound Insulation Tests, Testing and Compliance
Sound performance of the elements of the building must be tested, and the data recorded—for certain material changes of use and for new buildings. The results must be submitted to Building Control.
Exemptions may apply if using Robust Details Ltd. approved methods, provided that Building Control has been notified of this preferred route beforehand.
Section-by-Section Breakdown:
Section 0: Sets performance standards for walls, floors, and stairs. It details parameters for satisfactory sound insulation and recommends testing over relying solely on Robust Details.
Section 1: Describes pre-completion testing and recommends grouping building types for efficiency, to avoid testing every individual unit.
Section 2: Sets the scene for separating walls, providing guidance on typical wall types and flanking constructions.
Section 3: Covers separating floors, offering similar guidance for floor types and ceiling treatments.
Section 4: Deals with material change of use, offering approved improvement solutions and works for existing elements.
Section 5: Internal walls and floors—follows previous considerations but allows reduced density for these elements.
Section 6: Applies the previous standards to rooms for residential purposes.
Section 7: Explains reverberation in common areas and provides methods and a worked example to manage it.
Section 8: Acoustic conditions in schools—refers to Building Bulletin 93 for detailed guidance.
In the next episode, we’ll move on to Approved Document F:
Volume 1: Dwellings
Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings
When it comes to ventilation 🎵
I hope you enjoyed this episode and that the consideration of the Approved Documents D and E—Toxic Substances and Resistance to the Passage of Sound—is now clear for you.
If you have any questions, reach out to me on LinkedIn or send me an email. I'm more than happy to help you out.
At BYTNAR, we deal with the planning, designing, and managing of your projects, and we’re always glad to facilitate a free initial consultation to steer you in the right direction.
Visit www.bytnar.co.uk and reach out to us—whether your question is,“Can you help me with my project?” or“What should I do?”
We will be able to give you a piece of non-obligatory advice.
At BYTNAR, we help our clients design and execute their dream homes or investments.If your building is falling apart, we can also help investigate the reasons behind it and provide you with an approved strategy, design, and specifications for the repair.
Thank you again for listening!Please voice your opinions—I’m waiting for you on LinkedIn and I want to hear from you.
See you next week!
Remember:Bytnar Designs the World Around You.
Toodloo! 👋
Piotr Bytnar BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructE
Chartered Structural Engineer who deals with the Architecture of buildings. His Master's Studies led him to an in-depth understanding of risk and contract arrangements in construction as well as specialist knowledge in soil mechanics.
He and his team help homeowners and property developers to design and deliver construction projects reducing waste in time and the cost. He believes that the construction project is an iterative process that can be well managed and it is best managed if all the aspects of the project definition and management are dealt with in-house or coordinated by one organisation. His team works to all stages of RIBA and ISTRUCTE stages of work and enables contractors to deliver projects on-site providing risk evaluations, methodologies for execution of works and temporary works designs.
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