Section 3: Amendment of Part E of the Building Regulations (Resistance to the Passage of Sound); New Approved Document E

1. Outline

1. This Section of the RIA addresses the requirements of the Building Regulations with relation to sound insulation in England and Wales that are contained in Part E of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2000, and the new requirements for sound insulation testing. This RIA also addresses the practical guidance, contained in Approved Document E (2003 edition), which has been approved and issued by the Secretary of State with respect to these requirements. The main changes will come into effect on 1 July 2003.

2. A consultation paper Proposals for Amending Part E - Resistance to the Passage of Sound was prepared in consultation with the BRAC (Building Regulations Advisory Committee) Part E Technical Working Party. The paper was subject to full public consultation between January and April 2001 and revisions have been made to take account of the comments received and subsequent advice from the Technical Working Party. A summary of the main changes made to the Requirements and guidance in response to the comments received is included as Appendix A.

3. This section of the RIA is intended to support:

• the new Requirements E1, E2, E3, and E4 which replace and extend the scope of the current Requirements E1, E2 and E3;
• associated changes to the Building Regulations and the Approved Inspectors Regulations
• the amendments to the guidance within Approved Document E.

It only focuses on those changes that are considered significant.

4. This section of the RIA deals with:

• the purpose and intended effect of the amendments made;
• the options that have been considered;
• the benefits that will result;
• the compliance costs for builders, developers, charities and voluntary organisations, building control bodies; and
• other costs that may accrue.

5. A summary of costs, benefits and recommendations on which option to choose is given in sub-section 9 of this Section.

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