Reverberation Testing, Consultancy, Design and Installation of Acoustic Panelling.
IOA Members
Trade Accounts
Price Promise
Rapid Reports
BREEAM Noise Surveys
Helping developers, architects and project teams achieve BREEAM acoustic credits through practical, cost-effective acoustic consultancy across the UK.
Get Expert Advice | Maximise BREEAM Credits
Projects in 2025
1725
+
Projects to date
14248
+
Expert acoustic consultancy, delivered across the UK.
A BREEAM acoustic assessment typically spans several stages of a project, from concept design through to completion. During the design stage, our Suitably Qualified Acousticians (SQAs) review the building layout, construction specifications, building services, external plant and intended use of the development to assess compliance with Hea 05 (Acoustic Performance) and Pol 05 (Reduction of Noise Pollution) under BREEAM New Construction. We produce predictive acoustic assessments and, where necessary, provide practical acoustic design advice, including recommendations for enhanced wall, floor and façade constructions, improved glazing, building services noise control and external plant attenuation to help secure the targeted BREEAM credits.
Simple, fast & fully managed
Request a quote
Confirm your survey date
On-site assessment
Rapid Report
Submit to decision maker
What our clients have to say
HOW WE SUPPORT YOU
Breeam Ready Report
Fully Compliant
Clear Conclusions
Mitigation Advice
Jargon Free & Clear
Breeam Credits Secured
Who We Work With
House Builders
Property Developers
Architects & Contractors
Homeowners
Project Managers
Housing Associations
Trade accounts that deliver more.
Designed for construction professionals, consultants and developers, our trade accounts provide preferential rates, streamlined project management, responsive technical guidance and a dedicated account manager to support every stage of your project.
Acoustic consultancy delivered nationwide.
- Prompt site surveys arranged to minimise disruption to your programme.
- Clear, concise reports focused on practical outcomes.
- Responsive service with rapid turnaround where required.
- Local consultants supported by the strength of a nationwide team.
Your nationwide acoustics partner.
From housing developments and commercial premises to complex mixed-use schemes, our experienced acoustic consultants deliver trusted advice, practical solutions and responsive support wherever your project is located.
Why choose NOVA Acoustics?
- Experience supporting acoustic requirements for planning applications.
- Experienced consultants holding Institute of Acoustics accreditation.
- Local project support backed by a nationwide consultancy network.
- Practical, compliance-focused advice to assist the planning process.
What This Service Covers
Design stage acoustic strategy and predictive compliance assessment
Specification review and acoustic design advice for BREEAM credit targets
Evidence compilation and reporting for BREEAM assessor submission
Construction stage acoustic testing (sound insulation, reverberation time, ambient noise)
Pre-bid through to post-construction support across project stages
BREEAM Acoustic Performance Credits
BREEAM assesses the environmental performance of a building across a number of categories, and acoustic performance is one of the criteria that can contribute to a project’s overall credit total within the Health and Wellbeing category. Achieving these credits typically requires demonstrating that a building meets specified standards for sound insulation between rooms, indoor ambient noise levels, and reverberation time, depending on the building type and its intended use.
Assessment Stages: Design Through to Completion
A BREEAM noise assessment typically spans several stages of a project. At the design stage, we review the building’s layout, construction specifications, and intended use, and produce a predictive assessment of whether the proposed design is likely to meet the acoustic performance criteria required for the targeted BREEAM credits. Where the design falls short, we provide acoustic design advice covering specification changes, such as upgraded partition constructions, improved glazing, or additional acoustic treatment, needed to close the gap.
At the construction stage, once the building is complete or nearing completion, we carry out acoustic testing to verify that the as-built performance meets the criteria assessed at design stage. This typically includes sound insulation testing between rooms, reverberation time measurement in relevant spaces, and indoor ambient noise level measurement. The results of this testing form part of the evidence compiled for submission to the BREEAM assessor.
Acoustic Criteria by Building Type
BREEAM’s acoustic performance criteria vary depending on the type of building being assessed. Education buildings, for example, have specific requirements around speech intelligibility and background noise levels in teaching spaces, reflecting the importance of clear communication for learning. Healthcare buildings have their own considerations, balancing the need for patient privacy and confidentiality with low background noise levels that support rest and recovery. Residential and commercial buildings have their own sets of criteria, often focused on sound insulation between dwellings or tenancies and control of external noise ingress.
Understanding which criteria apply to your specific project, and at what level of BREEAM rating you’re targeting (Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding, with higher ratings often requiring more stringent acoustic performance), is an important first step in planning for BREEAM acoustic credits.
How BREEAM Acoustic Requirements Relate to Part E
BREEAM’s acoustic performance criteria often go beyond the minimum standards set out in Part E of the Building Regulations, particularly for sound insulation between spaces. A building that achieves a straightforward Part E pass on pre-completion sound testing won’t necessarily meet the more stringent criteria required for BREEAM acoustic credits, so it’s worth planning for BREEAM requirements from the design stage rather than assuming Part E compliance will be sufficient.
Book your assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BREEAM noise assessment and which BREEAM credits does it relate to?
A BREEAM noise assessment evaluates a building’s acoustic performance against the criteria required to achieve BREEAM credits within the Health and Wellbeing category, covering aspects such as sound insulation, indoor ambient noise levels, and reverberation time. The specific credit and criteria depend on the building type and BREEAM scheme version.
At what stage of a project should a BREEAM noise assessment start?
Ideally, at the design stage. A predictive assessment at this point can identify whether the proposed building specification is likely to meet the required acoustic criteria, allowing any necessary changes to be made before construction begins, which is far more cost-effective than addressing issues after the building is complete.
What's the difference between a BREEAM acoustic assessment and standard Part E sound testing?
Part E of the Building Regulations sets minimum sound insulation standards for new dwellings and conversions. BREEAM acoustic credits often require performance beyond these minimums, and can also cover additional criteria such as reverberation time and indoor ambient noise levels that aren’t part of standard Part E testing.
What types of buildings commonly require BREEAM acoustic credits?
BREEAM is used across many building types, including education, healthcare, residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, each with acoustic criteria suited to that building’s use. Any project being assessed under BREEAM that includes acoustic performance criteria within its targeted credits will need a BREEAM noise assessment.
What acoustic testing is carried out at the construction stage for BREEAM?
Construction stage testing typically includes sound insulation testing between relevant spaces, reverberation time measurement, and indoor ambient noise level measurement, depending on which criteria apply to the building type and targeted credits.
How many BREEAM credits can be achieved through acoustic performance?
The number of credits available depends on the BREEAM scheme version and building type.
Can NOVA Acoustics support a BREEAM submission that's already in progress?
Yes. While starting at the design stage is ideal, we can also support projects where construction is already underway or complete, carrying out the necessary testing and helping compile the evidence required for submission, though the scope for design changes will naturally be more limited at later stages.
Do BREEAM acoustic requirements apply to refurbishment projects as well as new builds?
BREEAM has versions and criteria applicable to refurbishment and fit-out projects as well as new construction, and acoustic performance criteria can apply to these projects too, though the specific requirements and how they’re assessed may differ from a new build.
Where do you provide BREEAM noise assessments?
We provide BREEAM noise assessments, from design stage through to post-construction testing, for projects across Leeds, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool, Cambridge, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol and Hull.
Recent Projects
Acoustic Consultancy and Design for Breeam HEA05 and POL05.
Reverberation Testing, Consultancy, Design and Installation of Acoustic Panelling.
Who we work with
