Wet Areas

Minimising noise and odours

Wet areas should be designed to minimise noise and odours.

On this page:

• Noise
• Odours

Noise

People generally prefer not to be heard – and not to hear others – carrying out ablutions. Location and layout are the main factors in reducing noise from bathrooms and toilets.

Measures to reduce noise transfer:

• Locate WC pans on outside walls wherever possible.
• Don’t locate sanitary fixtures on the wall between a bathroom and habitable room such as bedroom.
• Don’t locate a WC pan on an upper floor where it is directly above a habitable room.
• Don’t locate pipes or services close to bedrooms and living rooms.
• Install tightly fitting doors.
• Install sound-rated insulation in the walls or floor of wet areas adjacent to or above habitable rooms.

Odours

Odours in wet areas may be generated by:

• damp towels (bathrooms)
• surfaces that remain wet
• water loss in traps that admit odours from drains
• cooking smells (kitchens).

The most effective way to avoid odours is with adequate ventilation (passive or active) to:

• remove odours such as those generated from cooking
• dry out surfaces to eliminate the conditions for mould growth.