FAQ

Welcome to our frequently asked questions (FAQ). You will find here the answers to common, yet important, questions KataSoniKa has been asked by its clients on their projects.

KataSoniKa aims to give you a brief insight into the nature of its specialised acoustical engineering field of work by answering these questions. The answers to most of these questions apply within the UK, with respect to the regulatory system(s) and terminology to some extent. However, some are not limited to the UK as these will be subject to scientific principles and international standards.

Please note that KataSoniKa may add, revise, or expand on these questions to ensure that the content stays up-to-date and relevant. This page was last updated in April 2025.

Acoustics is the branch of physics concerned with the properties of mechanical waves in gases, liquids and solids and includes topics of sound, noise, vibration, and electro-acoustics.

An acoustical engineering consultant is a professional involved in the design, analysis, and testing of acoustics. Using mathematical and scientific principles of physics, the acoustical engineer aims to provide functional solutions within a set of regulatory requirements, and existing standards.

Individuals and organisations outsource acoustical engineering consultants to streamline a task or process where the acoustical design, and the noise impact are crucially relevant.

In many cases, the acoustical engineer supports an architect in the design and/or selection of appropriate acoustical structures. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) who is a professional body for architects in the UK and internationally, has a Plan of Work Toolbox (July 2022) spreadsheet that defines our role. It states that an “Acoustic consultant: Provides specialist acoustic advice on particular projects in relation to sound quality in spaces or noise transfer between rooms or from the external environment.”

Generally, KataSoniKa works to achieve the requirements in the regulatory domains of the planning system, building regulations, and environmental / pollution legislation, in terms of noise and vibration.

There is no difference between an acoustical or acoustic engineer, it is just a grammatical preference and KataSoniKa accepts either. For consistency on this Q&A, KataSoniKa uses acoustical engineer.

An Acoustician is an expert in the branch of physics concerned with the properties of sound.

An Acoustical Engineer is an Acoustician specialising in the of design, analysis, and noise and vibration testing, using mathematical and scientific principles to achieve functional solutions within the regulatory requirements.

The role “Acoustic Engineer” is listed in Uniclass under the engineering design role code Ro_50_20_02 (since the version 1.0 Uniclass (2015) release of the Roles table in April 2019). Uniclass (2015) is the current Building Information Modelling (BIM) unified classification system for the built environment covering all sectors and roles, delivered by NBS (also known as National Building Specification), funded by the UK government. Uniclass is overseen by an advisory board made up of the Association of Cost Engineers (ACOSTE), Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Institute of Asset Management (IAM), and nima (formerly known as the UK BIM Alliance (UKBIMA)).

A Sound Engineer, also known as an Audio Engineer or Recording Engineer is generally creating sound and responsible for the respective electro-acoustic hardware, such as part of the creative process of music with a sound system control console in studios or at live/open-air events.

University degree and/or institutional qualification via the Institute of Acoustics are the main routes into the profession of Acoustical Engineering.

KataSoniKa's acoustical engineering services are lead and provided by Jalal Amine-Eddine who is qualified with a Master of Engineering with Honors (MEng(Hons)) degree from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton which is accredited by the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

Building acoustics is the sub-field of acoustics and a branch of acoustical engineering concerned with buildings, also termed acoustics in the built environment. There is also a popular peer-reviewed journal titled “Building Acoustics” published by SAGE Publications.

This can also be known as Building Acoustics, although Architectural Acoustics is commonly referred to as a branch of Building Acoustics, which is about achieving a good acoustic environment specifically within spaces/rooms of a building.

Acoustic requirements are likely to be imposed on a planning application by the Local Authority when the planning application proposal includes a noise sensitive use and there is a nearby existing noise generating item or land use, and/or includes a noise generating item or land use and there is a nearby existing noise sensitive use.

The term ”nearby” is dependent on the noise source and site specific context. This can very easily cover a noise source from an adjoining property, e.g. a kitchen extract system, as well as noise sources hundreds of metres away, such as from a motorway or wind farm.

Noise sensitive includes properties of a residential nature such as housing, hotels, care homes, hospitals, and, to some extent, houses of multiple occupation (HMO’s).

Noise generating includes:
• “Major” transportation infrastructure such as A-roads, motorways, railways (above or underground) and airports.
• “Minor” transportation infrastructure could be relevant, for example a particularly busy junction or National speed limit B-road in front of a noise sensitive development.
• Mechanical services equipment which typically includes kitchen extract systems, air conditioning units, commercial heat pumps, and, to some extent, domestic heat pumps.
• Entertainment establishments including pubs, clubs and venues.
• Construction largely depends on the type and extent of construction activity.

In the planning system, only acoustic issues which typically arise between different land boundaries or uses are controlled and/or addressed.

However, in some cases, planning conditions may be imposed in order to create a higher standard than what may be set out in other legislative domains or guidance. For example, achieving a better sound insulation performance between flats or a commercial space adjacent to a flat than set out by the building regulations is relatively common.

The typical hierarchy/chronology of when acoustic issues are likely to become an important consideration for the Local Authority, and the Applicant, is as follows:
• The “Validation Checklist” published by the Local Authority. For example, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s Validation checklist (2024) states the requirements for reports and supporting documentation, which includes Noise Impact Assessments.
• During the pre-application consultation stage with the Local Authority, you may be made aware that an acoustic requirement will be imposed.
• Objections from neighbours which have been submitted on the application where noise is raised as an issue.
• A Planning Condition which accounts for acoustic issues is stated on the Decision Notice of the Planning Application. 

Normally, an Environmental Health Officer (EHO) or Specialist Technical Officer (STO) within the Local Authority, who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), is responsible for reviewing and deciding the information you submit to address noise.

KataSoniKa’s Acoustical Engineering Consultants help you achieve the requirements set out by the regulatory domains of the planning system, building regulations, and environmental / pollution (noise including vibration) legislation.

Environmental Health Officers (EHO’s) are generally concerned with setting appropriate requirements in line with Local and National Policy and making judgements on whether those requirements have been achieved. Their scope covers all environmental health aspects, including noise.

However, it is important to remember that a considerable amount of guidance and policy on acoustics is developed with cooperation between Acousticians and Environmental Health Practitioners. This guidance is published with approval from the two professional bodies: the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and in the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

About

KataSoniKa® acoustical engineering services are provided by:

Jalal Amine-Eddine
MEng(Hons) MIOA AMIMechE
Director of Acoustics
KataCliniKa Ltd.

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