Question: Is it mandatory to conduct an acoustic test when there are noise concerns due to hard flooring?
After gaining approval from the then Body Corporate Committee 4 years ago, we installed a floating wooden floor on a 1st level apartment using noise-reducing underlay as recommended by the manufacturers – Compliant below the 62 noise level.
Part of the approval advised we needed to carry out an acoustic test, which required gaining access to the apartment below. After discussions with the owner at that time, he was not keen to allow access.
I advised the then body corporate of this. During the first year or so, we discussed with our neighbour who had experienced no noise issue, so would still not agree to access. We had no issues or complaints during this time.
Last year, that owner moved and rented the property out. The person who rented has continually complained about many different noises, which has been discussed amicably. We have tried to accommodate their concerns by keeping as quiet as possible for an older couple.
The tenant has now purchased the below apartment and has continued to complain regularly about all sorts of noises, believing it all comes from our apartment. We do not agree and think they should just accept this level of noise as part of apartment living!
We received a complaint about “continual clomping and stomping”, scraping of furniture etc during a time when our apartment was empty as we were away.
Are we obligated to go to the expense of this acoustic test, as I do not think this will solve his issues? Is it mandatory that we have to carry out this test just to satisfy this sensitive owner’s concerns?
Answer: Does the By-Law require you to carry out aa acoustic test, or has this been a request from the Body Corporate?
There are two issues of concern here. The first and most critical is what the By-Law requires. Does the By-Law require you to carry out a test, or has this been a request from the Body Corporate? These matters should be clearly defined so that there are no arguments or misunderstandings. By-Laws often required that after the floor has been replaced, the floor owner arrange for a floor impact insulation test to confirm that the specified limits have been satisfied.
The second issue is the number 62. This is an LnTw 62 from the Building Code, which sets an absolute minimum standard. At 62, the noise level is such that many lower occupants will complain bitterly about the noise. It means that children playing, ball impacts, foot-fall, and scraping furniture will be quite audible in lower areas. Many Body Corporates understand this and set much lower performance requirements. These range from LnTw 45 (very difficult to achieve) to LnTw 55, which is often considered as a good balance between acoustic amenity and practical noise control treatments.
The LnTw number is a room corrected noise level from a tapping test, with a lower number showing better acoustic insulation and lower noise levels. An Lntw 55 is considered to provide a 3 star level of acoustic amenity.
This post appears in the November 2021 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
Ross Palmer
Palmer Acoustics
E: ross@palmeracoustics.com
P: 07 3193 0500
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