Building Acoustics

What is Building Acoustics?

Building acoustics is the science of managing sound transmission within buildings to create comfortable and functional environments. It encompasses the design and assessment of how sound travels through different spaces, ensuring that noise levels are managed effectively for residential, commercial, healthcare, and educational buildings.

Key aspects of building acoustics include:

• Sound insulation: Prevents unwanted noise transmission between rooms or adjacent properties
• Reverberation control: Optimises sound clarity in spaces such as offices and classrooms
• Noise and vibration management: Minimises disturbances from building services and external sources.

Our Building Acoustics Services

Architectural Acoustic Design

We provide expert design advice for new builds and conversion projects, ensuring compliance with Approved Document E (ADE) of the Building Regulations. Effective building design integrates techniques that manage noise from internal noise and external noise sources.

Our services include:

• Design of separating wall and floor systems
• Associated junction details
• Internal walls
• Service penetrations through partitions or floors
• Reverberation control in sensitive rooms and common areas
• Elevators
• Doors

For more information, visit our Architectural Acoustic Design page.

Acoustic Design of Schools

Proper acoustic design in educational settings is crucial for effective learning. We ensure that classrooms and other learning spaces meet the standards set out in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), focusing on:

• Sound insulation between adjacent rooms
• Control of internal ambient noise levels
• Design of absorption and room layouts

Learn more about our approach on the Acoustic Design of Schools page.

Sound Insulation Testing

We conduct UKAS-accredited sound insulation testing to assess the performance of party elements between residential dwellings. Our services include both airborne and impact sound insulation testing, ensuring compliance with Building Regulations.

Explore our Sound Insulation Testing services.

Licence to Alter Assessments

We provide assessments for leaseholders planning structural alterations to ensure renovations comply with lease and Licence to Alter requirements while minimising building noise disturbance to neighbouring dwellings.

Find out more about our Licence to Alter assessments.

Room Acoustics

We analyse room finishes and reverberation patterns to create optimal sound environments in spaces designed for speech and music, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, and lecture theatres.

Discover our Room Acoustics services.

Building Services Noise & Vibration

We provide detailed technical advice for all aspects of building noise control and vibration mitigation, ensuring planning conditions are met and suitable environments for building occupants are achieved.

Find out more about our Building Services Noise & Vibration assessments.

Design Standards

At Clement Acoustics, we ensure that our designs meet the highest regulatory and industry standards, providing reliable and effective building acoustics solutions. Our expertise spans a variety of sectors, where compliance with specific acoustic regulations is crucial.

Residential Buildings

Our designs comply with Approved Document E (ADE) of the Building Regulations, which sets out minimum standards for sound insulation in residential dwellings. This includes requirements for separating walls and floors to minimise impact and airborne noise transmission between adjoining properties. Our approach ensures that new builds, conversions, and refurbishments achieve the necessary acoustic performance, improving the comfort and privacy of residents.

Schools

We design educational spaces in accordance with Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), the standard for acoustic performance in schools. Effective acoustic design is essential in learning environments to support speech intelligibility, reduce background noise, and create optimal conditions for both teaching and student engagement. Our services include evaluating classroom acoustics, controlling noise reverberation times, and ensuring that learning spaces meet the required sound insulation and ambient noise levels.

Hospitals

Healthcare facilities must adhere to Health Technical Memorandum 08-01 (HTM 08-01), which provides guidance on acoustic design in medical environments. Noise control is critical in hospitals and clinics to enhance patient recovery, maintain confidentiality, and improve staff working conditions. We assess sound levels from medical equipment, ventilation systems, and building services, ensuring compliance with HTM 08-01 while creating quiet and comfortable healthcare environments.

Offices

Our office acoustics designs align with the British Council for Offices (BCO) specifications, which focus on creating workspaces that support productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. We assess factors such as sound insulation between offices and meeting rooms, speech privacy in open-plan workspaces, and noise control from air conditioning systems. By incorporating sound-absorbing materials that limit sound waves and strategic layout planning, we help businesses achieve optimal acoustic environments that enhance workplace efficiency.

Commissioning Measurements

Ensuring that a building’s acoustic design meets the intended performance criteria is a critical part of the project handover process. We conduct comprehensive commissioning acoustic measurements to verify compliance with building acoustics standards and project-specific requirements.

Our commissioning process includes:

• Sound Insulation Testing: Verifying the airborne sound insulation and impact performance of walls, floors, and partitions to ensure they meet regulatory and client specifications.
• Background Noise Level Assessments: Measuring ambient noise levels from external sources, HVAC systems, and other building services to confirm compliance with planning conditions and internal acoustic comfort standards.
• Reverberation Time Testing: Evaluating the acoustic properties and response of rooms to ensure appropriate reverberation times, particularly in spaces such as classrooms, offices, and healthcare facilities.
• Noise and Vibration Assessments: Measuring and analysing noise and vibration levels from mechanical and electrical systems to prevent disturbances to building occupants.

By performing these commissioning tests, we assure our clients that their buildings meet the necessary acoustic performance standards.

Contact Us

At Clement Acoustics, our team of qualified acoustic engineers is dedicated to delivering tailored services that meet your project’s unique requirements. With offices in London and Manchester, we operate across the UK, providing quick turnaround times and competitive rates.

Contact us today to discuss your building acoustics needs and discover how we can assist in achieving optimal acoustic performance for your development.