Improvements in acoustic insulation of new flats in Pamplona (Spain) after the approval of the current Spanish Technical Building Code

Spanish Technical Building Code including the new requirements regarding acoustic insulation in dwellings came into force in 2009. One of the main innovations was the requirement of insulation checks by means of 'in situ' measurements. In previous works, an insufficient level of acoustic insulation was found in new dwellings in our city (Pamplona, Spain). In contrast, from measurements carried out in the last eight years, a marked improvement has been confirmed in the acoustic conditions of new flats, both in terms of airborne noise insulation of interior walls as well as in terms of impact noise. The application of the standard in the insulation of facades has not been as efficient. The required insulation of the facade depends on the environmental noise levels in the area. In the design of new residential areas, environmental noise levels lower than those that (predictably) will be generated in the area are being assumed. In this work, after a brief summary of the Spanish regulation, its strengths and weaknesses will be discussed and, finally, the results of multiple measurements over the past eight years will be presented.