Code for Sustainable Homes
Sound Reduction Systems Ltd – Breaking the code.
Acoustic insulation specialists Sound Reduction Systems are first out of the blocks again, combining their industry leading acoustics and construction knowledge with acoustic systems and products, to deliver bespoke details to specifiers ensuring that they achieve the maximum amount of credits available, in terms of sound insulation, from their Code for Sustainable Homes project.
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CFSH) is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes. The Code became operational in April 2007 in England and having a code rating for new build homes became mandatory from 1st May 2008. The CFSH scheme replaces the Ecohomes scheme.
From the 1st of May 2008, a minimum of Code Level 3 is required for all new housing promoted or supported by the Welsh Assembly Government or their sponsored bodies and from 2nd June 2008, Code Level 3 is required for all new self-contained social housing in Northern Ireland. The Code does not currently apply in Scotland.
SRS can assist with helping specifiers and customers achieve the maximum 4 credits for sound insulation within Section 7 of the Code (Health and Wellbeing). These 4 credits account for 4.48 percentage points towards the overall points score due to the weighting system used by The Code.
The CFSH rewards developers for achieving greater standards of sound insulation than Building Regulations currently require. To achieve the maximum 4 credits separating floors and walls have to be shown to achieve 8dB above the performance requirements of Part ‘E’ 2003. At the time of writing there are no specifications within the Robust Details handbook that are certified for 4 credits, therefore compliance has to be demonstrated by a scheme of pre-completion testing.
SRS Ltd offer a free of charge service for specifiers and customers wanting to achieve additional points through enhanced sound insulation. Their fully qualified technical department is on hand to discuss and advise on any CFSH project that you may have. For further advice on sound insulation including soundproofing walls and the Code for Sustainable Homes please contact SRS on 01204 380074 or info@soundreduction.co.uk
