There are 2 types of noise that could travel through a floor. 

• •  Airborne Noise

• •  Impact Noise

• Airborne: This is noise that is airborne, music, conversation etc. The sound travels through the floor via gaps in or around the edge of the floor. 
•  

Impact: This is the noise created by noise created against a surface, footsteps, etc. Impact noise is tested only through floors. 

The sound travels through the floor as a vibration. The sound is a wave of energy, and as it hits the surface, it is turned into a vibration. That vibration makes its way through all the hard surfaces that come in contact and come out the other side as an airborne sound. To stop the noise, the floor above and the ceiling below must be complete. Any holes or gaps around or in should be filled. The area between the floor and ceiling should be made up of enough resistance to absorb any noise.  

Acoustic engineers can provide the exact make up of this area to achieve the rating required. Care should also be taken on any pipes or steel beams that may run between the floors and walls, as they transmit and transfer sound. 

This acoustic work must be implemented during the building work for a new build or at the time of improvement during a conversion to avoid costly changes after a failed test. In certain cases, Acoustic matting can be fitted to the floor in existing buildings to prevent noise travelling through it. 

The building should be tested as soon as it is complete, as all the final finish has been completed and the best chance of a successful result is possible.  

The requirement for testing values can be found in Table 0.1a with in Part E of the building regulations.