Part E of the Building Regulations

Part E of the Building Regulations changed on 1 July 2003 and now requires higher acoustic standards in both new build and conversions (material change of use). In any conversion, the economics are usually better if as much of the original structure as possible is incorporated in the new layout. The architect has to design for all of the routes that noise can travel through the structure, new and old. He will have no control over what has been done in the original construction. He may not be aware of some of the indirect routes that noise may take through the structure, so called flanking transmission. Nonetheless, the building has to be tested to show compliance. If it fails, it has to be put right and retested.

 

 

By comparison, new builds can be somewhat simpler. Designing from scratch means that many of the awkward details of a conversion can be avoided. There may be a Robust Detail that can be used to avoid the need for pre-completion testing altogether, although a small proportion of dwellings using Robust Details will be tested as part of the Robust Details quality checking procedure.

To provide guidance on conversion work, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has commissioned Sound Research Laboratories operating under the Faber Maunsell Building Operational Framework Consortium to publicise a series of case studies. Each conversion will be different and therefore require a different solution. It is hoped that by giving examples, builders and architects will become aware of the sorts of constructions that give satisfactory results, and of the typical problems that they are likely to encounter. The work also involves a quantity surveyor to estimate the costs of the various solutions. Thermal requirements are not considered in detail in this article, but do form part of the requirements for conversions. The architect should always be mindful that all parts of the Building Regulations must be satisfied.

The case studies are currently ongoing. As they are completed they will be added to this website. Users are welcome to download the example cases, however, it must be remembered that each conversion is different. The examples may not be applicable to other cases.

Case Study 1

A case history of the conversion of a five storey Victorian industrial building into an apartment block

Case History 1 short version (14 pages)

Case History 1 full report (14 pages)

Case Study 2

A case history of the conversion of a redundant health centre into dwelling houses

Case History 2 short version (17 pages)

Case History 2 full report (18 pages)

Case Study 3

A Case History of the Conversion of a Dwelling House and Shop into Flats

Case History 3

Case Study 4

A Case History of the Conversion of a Dwelling House into Flats

Case History 4