Separating floor
The term ‘separating floor’ is generally used to describe a floor designed to restrict the passage of sound between the spaces above and below. It is most commonly used in relation to residential buildings. In this context, a ‘separating wall’ is one that separates adjoining residential rooms or properties.
Construction clients may have particular acoustic requirements that should be recorded in the project brief, however, the legal requirement for building construction to resist the passage of sound is set out in part E of the building regulations, which describes requirements for:
- Dwelling-houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes.
- The common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes which give access to the flat or room.
- Schools.
The requirements of part E of the building regulations can be satisfied by following the guidance in Approved Document E: Resistance to the passage of sound.
Whilst not exhaustive, approved document E describes types of separating floor as:
- Floor type 1: Concrete base with ceiling and soft floor covering.
- Floor type 2: Concrete base with ceiling and floating floor.
- Floor type 2: Floating floor.
- Floor type 3: Timber frame base with ceiling and platform floor.
Three ceiling types are also described:
- A: Independent ceiling with absorbent material.
- B: Plasterboard on proprietary resilient bars with absorbent material.
- C: Plasterboard on timber battens or proprietary resilient channels with absorbent material.
Critical to the success of each construction, is the detailing of junctions between the floor and other elements such as walls and floor penetrations. Common junction details are illustrated in the approved document, as are performance standards and pre-completion testing requirements.
For more information see Approved Document E.
NB walls and floors may also be elements of a building that are required to provide fire separation.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.