Sound Testing: Cann Hall Road, London, E11

Building Regulations Approved Document E refers to attached dwellings, flats or rooms-for-residential use. These can be new or converted dwellings in England and Wales but have different standards for testing. Pre-Completion Testing is the normal route to show the level of soundproofing for a building. Sound Insulation Tests apply to each type of separating wall and floor in the building. For further information click Sound Testing.

Air Permeability Testing ensures the building meets or exceeds the air permeability rating specified in a design stage SAP or SBEM Calculation. Maintaining a high level of air tightness within a building helps with energy efficiency. For example: air entering and escaping a building can lead to lost heat and cold draughts. Any dwellings that are not tested are subject to an increased result of +2 m3/h/m2 based on the average result for those that have been tested for plots of the same layout. For Further Information click Air Testing.

SAP calculations are only necessary for residential properties. SAP Calculations are required by Part L (England & Wales), Section 6 (Scotland), Part F1 (Northern Ireland) of building regulation standards. These documents are concerned with the conservation of fuel and power. In England, your SAP calculations measure two elements; the Dwelling Emission Rate (DER) and Dwelling Fabric Energy Efficiency (DFEE). For Further Information click SAP Calculations.

Water efficiency is measured in litres per person. To comply with Part G of The Building Regulations, a property must show that its water targets will not exceed 125 litres per person per day. Some local authorities will set lower targets, especially in London and the South (The London Plan). For Further Information click Water Calculations.