Code for Sustainable Homes
This code, which came into effect in England in April 2007, is the national standard for the sustainable design and construction of new homes. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions and create sustainable homes. Having a code rating for new build homes became mandatory from May 1st 2008.
Sustainability is measured against nine categories of sustainable design, rating the whole home as a complete package. Category 7, titled “Health and Well-being” includes a section on sound insulation outlining that between one and four points (which aggregate into a final star rating) can be awarded for a property that achieves higher standards of sound insulation than required by Part E of the Building Regulations.
The code uses a one to six star rating system to enable developers and builders communicate the sustainability performance of the new home. JCW Acoustic Supplies can provide technical advice and acoustic products to ensure credits can be gained under the code. In effect valuable extra credits can be gained by simply upgrading separating wall and separating floor specifications.
| Category 7 | Total Credits Available | Weighted Value of Each |
| Credit | ||
| Health and Wellbeing | 12 | 1.17 |
| Health and Wellbeing |
Credits Available | Weighted Value (% points) |
| Daylighting | 3 | 3.5 |
| Sound Insulation | 4 | 4.67 |
| Private Space | 1 | 1.17 |
| Lifetime Homes | 4 | 4.67 |
| Category Total | 12 | 14 |
An overall score of equal to or greater than 57 points is required to achieve a minimum required Code Level of star rating 3.
To achieve the maximum 4 credits in Sound Insulation, separating floors and walls have to be shown to achieve an 8dB improvement above the requirements of Part E, 2003.
| Airborne Sound Insulation Separating Floors and Walls DnT,w+Ctr |
Impact Sound Insulation Separating Floors Only L’nT,w |
|
| Requirements of Part ‘E’ 2003 | ≥45dB | ≤62dB |
| Requirement to achieve 1 credit | ≥48dB | ≤59dB |
| Requirement to achieve 3 credits | ≥50dB | ≤57dB |
| Requirement to achieve 4 credits | ≥53dB | ≤54dB |
Since May 2008 (subject to transitional arrangements) all new homes are required to have a Code rating measured against the Code and for a Code certificate to be included within the Home Information Pack or HIP.
JCW Acoustic Supplies offer a wide range of products with high performance specifications for floors and walls that are designed to meet the requirements of The Code, without introducing complicated build-ups.
Contact us today for assistance and advice with any acoustic challenge.