Building Regulations (Rep. of Ireland) Part E and Technical Guidance Document E

Part E of Schedule 2 of the Building Regulations 1997 are split into four requirements:

• E1 Airborne sound(walls)

(1) A wall which (a) separates a dwelling from another dwelling or from another building, or (b) separates a habitable room within a dwelling from another part of the same building which is not used exclusively with the dwelling, shall have reasonable resistance to airborne sound.

(2) The requirement of sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply to a wall falling within the description in sub-paragraph (1)(b) which separates a habitable room within a dwelling from another part of the same building if such part is used only occasionally for the inspection, maintenance or repair of the building, or of its services, fixed plant or machinery.

• E2 Airborne sound (floors)

(1) A floor which separates a dwelling from another dwelling, or from another part of the same building which is not used exclusively with the dwelling, shall have reasonable resistance to airborne sound.

(2) The requirement of sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply to a floor which separates a dwelling from another part of the same building if such part is used only occasionally for the inspection, maintenance or repair of the building, or of its services, fixed plant or machinery.

• E3 Impact sound (floors)

(1) A floor above a dwelling which separates it from another dwelling or from another part of the same building which is not used exclusively with the dwelling, shall have reasonable resistance to impact sound.

(2) The requirement of sub-paragraph (1) shall not apply to a floor which separates a dwelling from another part of the same building if such part is used only occasionally for the inspection, maintenance or repair of the building, or of its services, fixed plant or machinery.

• E4 Definitions

"habitable room" means a room used for living or sleeping purposes but does not include a kitchen having a floor area of less than 6.5 m2

"kitchen" means any room used primarily for the preparation or cooking of food or drink or the cleansing of utensils or appliances used in such preparation or cooking.

The Technical Guidance Documents, commonly known as TGD's give guidance on how to construct buildings so that they comply with the Regulations.  Where works are carried out in accordance with the TGDs, this will indicate compliance with the Regulations. The adoption of an approach different to the TGD's is not prohibited, provided that the approach meets the requirements of the Regulations. The Building Control Authority may require such evidence in the case of an approach different from that given in the guidance to ensure that the building does comply with the regulations.