Rules for tougher soundproofing in all new homes are now in force. A team of inspectors is ready to ensure they are enforced.
In the four month period since changes to the Building Regulations Part E (sound insulation) were implemented, Robust Details Ltd (RDL) has been processing plot registration applications made by housebuilders in England and Wales.
Houses and flats registered under the scheme will include separating walls and floors built using one of the patterns contained in the Robust Details Handbook, published in May 2004. One of the benefits of the RDL approach from the developers point of view is the avoidance of mandatory pre-completion sound testing.
As soon as they register with RDL, housebuilders are advised that during construction their sites may be selected for sample testing and/or inspection by acoustic experts appointed by the company.
Now that a number of RDL-registered homes are under construction, the newly formed Inspectorate is ready to start work. The RD Inspectorate comprises of about 20 consultant acousticians each covering a geographical area. Ultimately, their duties will include sample sound testing of RD homes, but for the first month or two they will visit sites to make visual checks on homes under construction.
Inspectorate chairman Phil Dunbavin explains: "The Robust Details Inspector role is paramount in ensuring that the whole system works as intended. One of our prime targets is to provide a good measure of knowledge transfer. Inspectors are all highly qualified and professional acousticians who will provide help and guidance on how to comply with the Robust Detail process."
Mike Freshney, director of RDL and chairman of its assessment and approval committee puts the work of the inspectorate into perspective: That Robust Details are truly 'robust' in practice will be the proof of the scheme's success. The initial audits will either provide that proof or reveal weaknesses in site practice that will need to be addressed as the system matures. This is a very important stage for builders using the Robust Details scheme'
Information gained during the course of these inspections and data collected during on-site sound tests will demonstrate the effectiveness of the RD approach. RDL's chairman David Holliday sees it very much from the customers' point of view: I am very pleased that the inspectorate has commenced its monitoring and auditing duties. This represents the vital next step in ensuring that the robust details system, developed jointly by the industry, its suppliers and its regulators, can bring forward the benefits that we are all expecting of it: namely, a significant improvement in standards of sound insulation for occupiers of newly built houses and flats.
Coming soon: new Robust Details
Following successful field tests, the directors of Robust Details Limited (RDL) gave approval for a number of candidates to progress to final publication. The next stage will be to draft the necessary details, drawings and checklist and to consult with members of RDLs expert panel before releasing the new robust details documents. If all goes according to plan, the date for publication will be 24 January 2005.
All purchasers of the first edition of the RD handbook will receive a free update of all of the new robust details, together with other amendments and additional text relating to the existing RDs.
However, even though these candidate robust details have reached an advanced stage in the approval process, until the final version of the new document, including all details, appendices and site checklists, has been published, it will not yet be possible for users to register plots with RDL showing these constructions. This should minimise uncertainty among RD customers, building control bodies, warranty providers and others who will need access to all of the information contained in the document. Accordingly, RDL has advised manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that product literature and/or promotional material contains advice to this effect.
