Overview

The Sound Insulation Testing Register (Ireland) was created in order to:

• Ensure an adequate supply of suitably qualified and experienced sound insulation testers in order to meet the requirements of Technical Guidance Document E Sound;
• Maintain a database of competent testers in order that industry professionals (such as Assigned Certifiers and Architects) can commission sound insulation tests with confidence; and
• Maintain a database of results from sound insulation tests conducted by its members.

Background

The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government (DECLG) published new Building Regulations pertaining to sound in December 2014. An updated and enhanced Technical Document E Sound followed in January 2015. The key aspects of the new guidance may be summarized as follows:

• For the first time in Ireland, minimum standards of sound insulation performance have been use to define reasonable resistance to sound;
• Reverberation in common internal parts of buildings has been introduced as an issue requiring consideration; and
• Mandatory pre-completion testing is required in order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Regulations.

TGD E places a strong emphasis on the competence of testers, as illustrated by the following extracts:

 2.1.2 Competency of Tester

To ensure a proper standard of testing, it is essential that persons are competent in the measurement of sound insulation in buildings to the relevant ISO Standards i.e. ISO 16283 Part 1 and ISO 140 Part 7 series, possess sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work he or she is required to perform having particular regard to the size and complexity of such works."

And;

Sound insulation tests carried out by a person certified by an independent third party to carry out this work offers a way of ensuring that such certification can be relied upon.

The Department expressed a desire to see the establishment of an industry led scheme that would provide the necessary certification, which led to the creation of SITRI. 

The Sound Insulation Testing Register (Ireland) is a certification scheme developed by the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) and the Institute of Acoustics (IOA). It is a not for profit professional body in the form of a Company Limited by Guarantee, wholly owned by the ANC.

The Institute of Acoustics is the UK's professional body for those working in acoustics, noise and vibration. Formed in 1974, it has some 3000 members and an active Irish Branch.

 The Association of Noise Consultants is a trade association for acoustics, noise and vibration consultancy practices whose 115 members employ over 1000 consultants. ANC operates a Registration Scheme for sound insulation testing in the UK.