ODPM has deferred the implementation of the amendment to Part E for new houses and flats from January to July 1st 2004. This is to allow time to consider the adoption of Robust Standard Details instead of pre-completion testing as proposed by HBF.
The revised Part E (resistance to the passage of sound) of the building regulations came into force on 1 July 2003 and introduced requirements for pre-completion testing of sound insulation between dwellings. For dwellings created by conversion work and new or converted accommodation that is not self-contained, the requirements for testing came into force on 1 July 2003. For new houses and flats it was due to come into force on 1 January 2004.
The minister will be taking advice from the Building Regulations Advisory Committee, and will then decide whether or not to amend the building regulations and approved inspectors regulations to allow robust standard details to be used as an alternative to testing.