Building Acoustic Testing in Ireland: What You Need to Know

John Leahy
Aug 22
4 min read

Updated: Sep 8

Ever lived in a place where you could hear your neighbour sneeze, or worse—argue, vacuum, or blast music at midnight? Not fun, right? That’s exactly what building acoustic testing aims to prevent. If you’re a homeowner, builder, or developer in Ireland, acoustic testing isn’t just a box to tick. It’s a key part of delivering a home or apartment that feels private, peaceful, and let’s be honest — liveable.

Let’s break it all down, minus the technical jargon, and explain why acoustic testing matters, how it’s done, and what it means for your build or property.

What Is Building Acoustic Testing?

In simple terms, building acoustic testing checks how well sound is contained within and between parts of a building. It's a way to measure how much noise travels through walls and floors—and whether it's within acceptable limits.

In Ireland, acoustic testing is required for many types of new builds, especially apartments, duplexes, and any dwelling where units share walls, ceilings, or floors. Think of it as a soundproofing reality check.

Why Does It Matter?

Let’s be real—no one wants to hear the TV from next door or the footsteps from the floor above. Good acoustic performance is one of those things you only notice when it’s bad. Here’s why building acoustic testing really matters:

Acoustic testing offers several key benefits that go beyond just meeting regulations. It ensures privacy, so your conversations—or even your Netflix habits—aren’t heard through the walls. It also contributes to overall comfort, as constant noise can disrupt sleep, affect your mood, and lower productivity. From a legal standpoint, acoustic testing is required under Irish Building Regulations, specifically Part E. Additionally, well-insulated properties tend to have higher market value, making them more attractive to buyers, renters, and residents alike.

So yeah, it’s a big deal.

What Does the Acoustic Test Involve?

Acoustic testing might sound complicated, but the process is pretty straightforward, especially if handled by a professional testing service.

Here’s a quick look at how it works:

1. Airborne Sound Testing

This checks how much sound travels through walls and floors via the air—like voices, music, or the TV. A loudspeaker is placed in one room, and sound levels are measured on the other side of the wall or floor. It’s kind of like yelling at a wall (professionally, of course).

2. Impact Sound Testing

This one tests footfall noise—literally. A tapping machine simulates footsteps on the floor above while measurements are taken below. If you’ve ever lived under someone with heavy shoes (or a pet elephant), this is the test that ensures future residents don’t have to suffer the same fate.

3. Reverberation Sound Testing

Ever been in a room where every sound bounces off the walls like you're in a cave? That’s poor reverberation control. Reverberation sound testing measures how long sound lingers in a space before fading. This is especially important in shared areas like entrance halls, stairwells, and corridors. Excess echo can cause discomfort, make communication harder, and even raise overall noise levels.

The goal is to ensure that sound doesn’t just bounce endlessly around a room—it should fade away naturally and quickly, making the space feel calm and balanced.

What Properties Need Acoustic Testing?

Great question. Not every building needs to be tested, but here’s a general rule of thumb in Ireland:

Acoustic testing is required for several types of residential buildings in Ireland to ensure compliance with Building Regulations and to guarantee sound insulation between units. This includes new apartment blocks, semi-detached and terraced houses, duplexes or maisonettes, as well as conversions or renovations that involve shared (party) walls or floors. In these cases, testing isn’t optional—it’s a crucial part of delivering a comfortable and regulation-compliant living space.

While it is generally not necessary for detached single-family homes or non-residential buildings like offices and retail spaces, because these buildings typically don’t share walls or floors with other units, the potential for noise transfer is low, so formal sound insulation testing is usually not required.

If in doubt, check your planning conditions or consult a testing provider. Book a Free Consultation Now!

When Should You Do the Test?

Timing is everything. Acoustic testing should be carried out after construction is complete, but before final finishes like carpets or heavy furnishings go in.

Why? Because you want a real-world picture of how the structure handles sound on its own, no rugs or curtains to help cheat the results.

Pro tip: Schedule testing close to project completion, so if there’s a fail, you’ve got time to fix it.

If an acoustic test fails, it can be frustrating, but the good news is it’s fixable. You’ll receive a detailed report outlining the issues, such as inadequate insulation between units. From there, you or your builder can carry out remedial work like adding acoustic insulation, sealing gaps, or improving construction joints. Once these fixes are completed, a retest is conducted to ensure the problem has been resolved.

Moral of the story? Build it right the first time and work with professionals who know how to meet acoustic standards.

Who Can Carry Out the Test?

Only qualified, accredited professionals should handle building acoustic testing. In Ireland, that means someone with experience, the right equipment, and knowledge of Irish Building Regulations.

Providers like Forsah offer fully certified testing services, with fast turnaround and practical advice if something doesn’t pass the first time. They understand both the technical and the “real-life” sides of construction, which makes the whole process smoother.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just About Noise—It’s About Quality

Building acoustic testing might sound technical, but at the end of the day, it’s about creating homes people actually want to live in.

Good sound insulation = better living experience.

Whether you’re a homeowner making sure your new place isn’t a noise box or a developer aiming to meet regulations and keep buyers happy, acoustic testing is your secret weapon.