The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 173
completion testing. However, pre-completion testing was not to be
introduced immediately for new houses and flats. This was to allow the
House Builders’ Federation time to develop ‘Robust Standard Details’ -
for designs which were to perform consistently well so that they would
not need routine testing. Government consultation on ‘Robust Standard
Details’ as an alternative to pre-completion testing ended in November
2003. 8 Concerns remain as to the reliability of relying only on set forms of
construction. Establishing and retaining consumer confidence is
considered likely to require some element of on-going, on-site testing. If
alternative forms of compliance with the Building Regulations are allowed,
the purchaser needs to be provided with an approved non-technical
explanation of the difference between the alternatives, together with
advice on what action may be taken if a deficiency is suspected.
4F.11 Improvements in the existing poorly insulated housing stock across
London are also needed. A new Housing Health and Safety Rating System
(HHSRS) is being prepared. 9 This would replace the existing concept of
‘unfit’ housing, and be broader ranging. Local authorities will be able to
assess hazards from noise but it is not clear how effective the system will
be in achieving improvements. The Government has also adopted a target
to bring all social housing up to a ‘Decent Homes’ standard by 2010. 10
However, this includes ‘adequate noise insulation against external noise
(where external noise is a problem)’ - not referring to internal insulation -
and is only among options for improvement. A dwelling could be defined
as decent because of other characteristics and still be unsatisfactory in
noise terms in 2010. Landlords can carry out work falling outside the
standard, and, under new housing renewal arrangements, authorities have
been promised discretion in allocating housing resources. However, there
is a risk that the importance of both internal and external noise problems
may not receive sufficient recognition. In the London context, given the
enormous pressures on housing, there is a strong argument for specific
‘quiet homes’ initiatives, including targeting of dwelling improvements
and sensitive allocation processes, to open up new opportunities to
vulnerable people who currently lack choice.
4F.12 Consistent London-wide information is not available on installation of
purpose-designed noise insulation measures in homes, or other buildings.
Information on thermal insulation in London’s homes is shown in the
following table. Thermal insulation typically offers some noise benefits,
but design specifications for effective thermal and acoustic glazing, for
example, differ significantly.