Approved Document E: Resistance to sound
England-focused reference checklist
Editorial source review: 2026-10-17
https://saeedazarshab.com/articles/england-building-regulations/approved-document-e/

INDEPENDENT GUIDANCE — not project-specific legal/design advice or a compliance certificate. Check the official current requirements and applicable transition.

Part E concerns resistance to sound in relevant residential buildings and schools. The applicable requirements and evidence depend on building use and whether the work is new construction or a conversion. Acoustic performance is affected by junctions and workmanship as well as the chosen wall or floor build-up.

WHAT TO CHECK
[ ] Identify the building use and work type before choosing the applicable acoustic guidance.
[ ] Agree the separating construction and junction details with the responsible designer.
[ ] Coordinate penetrations, flanking paths and service routes before installation.
[ ] Confirm the applicable testing or other permitted evidence route instead of assuming a universal exemption.
[ ] Inspect critical details before concealment and retain the records needed for completion.

RECORDS TO KEEP
- Acoustic design and junction information
- Installation and pre-cover inspection records
- Applicable test reports or other accepted evidence

WHEN TO GET SPECIALIST HELP
Use competent acoustic advice where construction is unusual, noise transmission is uncertain or the proposed evidence route is unclear.

SCOPE AND EDITION
Landing publication date 4 March 2015; confirm applicable edition and project-specific test/evidence route. Building use and work type affect the requirements. Do not assume one acoustic detail or test route suits every conversion or new building.

OFFICIAL SOURCES
GOV.UK — Approved Document E
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/resistance-to-sound-approved-document-e

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. Original practical summary by Saeed Azarshab.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/