Trade association calls for more consistent approach to acoustics

A national trade association has called for a more consistent approach to acoustics to protect society from the impact of excess noise, while Isover has created an acoustic CPD module for builders and specifiers.

The move comes as a new White Paper, ‘Building Our Future; Laying The Foundations For Healthy Homes and Buildings,’ reveals that almost 40 per cent of the UK population is subjected to noise pollution, with a knock-on effect on public health.

Now, the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) says a greater awareness of how to build good acoustic design in homes and buildings from industry, coupled with knowledge of the key issues involved from regulators, is needed to address the trend.

The White Paper, produced by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Healthy Homes and Buildings, cites that the presence of noise pollution is reported to be suffered by 37 per cent of the population and that it can cause long-term health issues, notably increasing levels of stress hormones and increasing the risk of cardiovascular effects such as heart disease and hypertension.

It cites a number of exacerbating issues, including the fact that most people spend 90 per cent of their time indoors and that many modern homes and buildings are located in urban and brownfield sites affected by significant levels of noise. The noise impact of solutions designed to reduce overheating in homes is also flagged up.

Dan Saunders, Chair of the ANC, said: “The White Paper sets out a clear link between good acoustics and public health in the built environment.

“It calls on the Government to adopt a holistic approach to address the situation to ensure that future renovation of homes and buildings improves other elements vital for health and wellbeing in a number of areas, including acoustics.

“We would strongly support that message. Ultimately, there needs to be greater consideration and consistency given to acoustics in the built environment at an early stage of a project’s development to ensure a better outcome.”

The ANC points to the Professional Practice Guidance (ProPG) - referenced in the White Paper - as a key resource to help address the issue.

Launched in 2017 by a consortium of the ANC, along with the Institute of Acoustics, and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the ProPG complements the UK Government’s National Planning Policy Framework and Guidance to provide practitioners with an industry-recommended approach for the first time for new residential developments, both internally and externally.

Developed to encourage better acoustic design for new residential development and at the same time to protect people from the harmful effects of noise, the ProPG advocates full consideration of the acoustic environment through state-of-the-art design principles from the earliest possible stages of the design and development control processes.

It outlines what should be taken into account in deciding planning applications for new noise-sensitive developments, improves understanding of how to determine the extent of potential noise impacts and effects, and assists the delivery of sustainable development.

Mr Saunders added: “We’d urge the industry and regulators to get up to speed with the ProPG and understand how it can address the issues raised in the White Paper.

“Over recent years, we have seen the introduction of the Noise Policy Statement for England, as well as substantial changes in national planning policy, but these developments have not been accompanied by detailed technical acoustic advice.

“This lack of guidance can lead to inconsistent application of policy, and that may, in turn, result in unsatisfactory development and affect quality of life. 

“ProPG has been developed to fill that gap and facilitate efficient and consistent decision-making in the development control process.”

Meanwhile, recognising the increased emphasis on acoustics within today’s construction industry, Isover has created an acoustic CPD.

Developed in response to compelling evidence about the negative effects noise disturbance can have on a building’s occupants, the CPD, entitled ‘Introduction to Acoustics’ looks at the fundamentals of acoustics and how sound can be dealt with in order to comply with the relevant Building Regulations.

Chris Roughneen, Technical Manager at Isover commented: “As a result of the increasing volume of modern life and the recent research into the harmful effects nuisance noise can have on our health and well-being, the issue of acoustics has become an important topic within the construction industry. It is proven that homeowners are happier, students learn more effectively and workers have higher levels of concentration in a quieter environment.

“With this in mind, we decided to create a CPD to help educate the industry on the importance of acoustics and guide specifiers and housebuilders on how best to improve the acoustics of a building at the design stage of a project.

"Indeed, it is becoming more common for people to take the acoustics of a property into consideration when searching for a new home. Therefore, learning how to incorporate acoustic insulation solutions within the design and construction process will not only give builders and specifiers an edge in an otherwise competitive market, but also provide end users with a comfortable environment to live, play and learn in.”

To complete the CPD module, visit building.co.uk.

For more information about Isover’s acoustic solutions see isoveracousticsolutions.co.uk.

More details about Pro PG can be found here.

The White Paper can be viewed at healthyhomesbuildings.org.uk