The first inspections are underway of housing sites which are registered to use robust standard details to comply with sound insulation regulations. <p></p><p>Since the recent changes made to the Building Regulations on Part E (sound insulation), Robust Details Ltd (RDL) has issued four months worth of plot registrations to housebuilders in England and Wales. This allows developers to avoid mandatory pre-completion sound testing, but means that their sites may be selected for sample testing and inspection by acoustic experts appointed by RDL. </p><p>Dave Baker, RDL’s chief executive, said: “Now that a number of RDL-registered homes are under construction, the newly formed Inspectorate is ready to start work. Ultimately, their duties will include sample sound testing, but for the first month or two they will make visual checks on homes under construction. “All RD inspectors are qualified and experienced acousticians and will carry ID to verify their credentials”.</p>