BS 8233:2014

What is this BS 8233 - Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings about?

BS 8233 provides guidance for the control of noise in and around buildings. BS 8233 is applicable to the design of new buildings, or refurbished buildings undergoing a change of use, but does not provide guidance on assessing the effects of changes in the external noise levels to occupants of an existing building.

BS 8233 does not cover:

• Specialist applications, such as auditoria and cinemas (for cinemas, see BS ISO 9568)
• Vibration control, except where it is evident in the form of radiated sound
• Noise that breaks out from the building might affect external receptors

NOTE BS 8233 is intended to be used routinely where noise sources are brought to existing noise-sensitive buildings.

Psychological factors are not practicable to consider in this guide.

Who is this BS 8233 - Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings for?

 BS 8233 on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings is useful for:

• Designer of the construction industry or building
• The individual owner of a building
• Contractor of building
• Civil engineer
• Technical authority
• Secretaries (subcommittee) of building acoustics

Why should you use BS 8233- Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings?

Noise control in and around buildings is discussed in BS 8233 guide on an objective and quantifiable basis as far as is currently possible. Moreover, noise levels refer only to the physical characteristics of sound and cannot differentiate between pleasant and unpleasant sounds

BS 8233 provides the user with the criteria, such as suitable sleeping/resting conditions, and proposes noise levels that normally satisfy these criteria for most people.

BS 8233 intended with building control, planning and environmental health to draw on the results of research and experience to provide information on the design of buildings that have internal acoustic environments appropriate to their functions. This will help you to deal with the control of noise from outside the building, noise from plants and services within it, and room acoustics for non-critical situations.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS 8233:2014 supersedes BS 8233:1999, which is withdrawn. This is a full revision of the standard. The principal changes have been made to reflect:

• Changes to the legislative framework since the publication of the 1999 edition
• Revisions to building regulations approved document
• The publication of specialist documents for specific sectors, such as healthcare and education
• A reappraisal of the tabular content with respect to setting targets for various classes of living space in the light of research findings
• The need to transfer some of the more detailed information from the main text to annexes

BS 8233:1999 was, like its predecessor CP3 Chapter III:1972, published as a code of practice. However, it was decided to publish this edition as a guide because the text largely comprises guidance that does not support claims of compliance.