Singapore, 11 March 2019 – The National Environment Agency (NEA) will be launching a $2 million Quieter Construction Innovation Fund (QCIF), to incentivise the construction industry to adopt innovative quieter construction equipment and methods. This will further reduce noise impact and achieve a quieter living environment. The QCIF will be disbursed over two years from 1 April 2019.
2 The QCIF will replace the Quieter Construction Fund (QCF) expiring on 31 March 2019. The QCIF will provide higher incentives to contractors who adopt quieter construction equipment and methods, summarised as follows (refer to Annex A for more details on the QCIF):
i) maximum grant amount per project increased by up to $100,000 depending on project value;
ii) quieter piling and demolition equipment (the noisiest construction equipment in a project) which meet the higher noise reduction standard of 10 dBA, can receive funding of up to $300,000 (compared to $150,000 under QCF);
iii) contractors can receive increased funding support of up to $50,000 when leasing or sub-contracting specialist contractors to carry out piling and demolition works using quieter equipment (compared to $20,000 under QCF);
iv) minimum cost of innovative construction methods to qualify for funding support lowered from $5,000 (under QCF) to $3,000; and
v) minimum cost of localised noise enclosures/curtains to qualify for funding support lowered from $5,000 (under QCF) to $1,000.
3 Mr Tan Meng Dui, Chief Executive Officer of NEA said, “In a dense and urbanised city state like Singapore, construction noise is often an issue. The Quieter Construction Innovation Fund targets the noisier construction phases, such as demolition and piling, by providing higher funding for such equipment. I would like to encourage industry players to make use of this available funding in their projects, to help create a quieter and more liveable environment for all.”
4 Construction companies can apply for the QCIF from 1 April 2019 onwards. For more information on the QCIF, companies may refer to NEA’s website at www.nea.gov.sg/programmes-grants/grants-and-awards/quieter-construction-innovation-fund or contact NEA at 6370 1853.
~~ End ~~
For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.
Annex A
FACTSHEET ON QUIETER CONSTRUCTION INNOVATION FUND
| Funding Information |
| Total Fund | $2 million |
| Application/Disbursement period | 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2021 |
| Target Recipients | a) Construction companies operating at project sites located close to residential or noise sensitive premises b) Equipment suppliers for project sites located close to residential or noise sensitive premises |
| Supported categories of equipment | Quieter construction equipment, noise control equipment and other innovative methods |
FUNDING FRAMEWORK
Purchase of Quieter Construction Equipment
| Category | Purchase Cost | Funding % |
| Quieter Piling and Demolition Construction Equipment | ≤$200,000 per equipment | Up to 50%, capped at $80,000 per equipment |
| >$200,000 and ≤$500,000 per equipment | Up to 40%, capped at $175,000 per equipment |
| >$500,000 per equipment | Up to 35%, capped at $300,000 per equipment |
| Quieter General Construction Equipment | ≤$100,000 per equipment | Up to 50%, capped at $30,000 per equipment |
| >$100,000 and ≤$200,000 per equipment | Up to 30%, capped at $50,000 per equipment |
| >$200,000 per equipment | Up to 25%, capped at $150,000 per equipment |
Leasing of Equipment and/or Specialist Sub-Contractor Services
| Category | Leasing Cost | Funding % |
| Quieter Piling and Demolition Construction Equipment and/or Specialist Works | ≤$30,000 per equipment | Up to 50%, capped at $12,000 per equipment |
| >$30,000 and ≤$80,000 per equipment | Up to 40%, capped at $28,000 per equipment |
| >$80,000 per equipment | Up to 35%, capped at $50,000 per equipment |
| Quieter General Construction Equipment and/or Specialist Works | ≤$30,000 per equipment | Up to 50%, capped at $9,000 per equipment |
| >$30,000 per equipment | Up to 30%, capped at $20,000 per equipment |
Purchase of Noise Control Equipment
| Category | Funding % |
| Set-up of Perimeter Noise Barriers | ≥$5,000 per Project Site Up to 30% per Project Site |
| Localised Noise Enclosures/Curtains | ≥$1,000 per Project Site Up to 50% per Project Site |
Innovative Quieter Construction Methods
| Category | Funding % |
| Purchase/Leasing of Innovative Methods | ≥$3,000 per Project Site Up to 50% per Project Site |
Total Funding Cap
| For Main Contractors (per Project Site) | $200,000, or 5% of the project contract value of ≤$30 million, whichever is lower | $300,000 for project contract value >$30 million |
| For Suppliers and Specialist Sub-Contractors | $300,000 over 2 years |
Annex B
FACTSHEET ON CURRENT CONSTRUCTION NOISE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
All construction works shall comply with the noise limits stipulated in the Environmental Protection and Management (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations. The noise limits are more stringent for construction projects located near noise sensitive premises such as hospitals, homes for the aged, schools and residential areas.
2 The permissible noise limits are as follows:
Monday to Saturday
| Types of affected buildings | 7am – 7pm | 7pm – 10pm | 10pm – 7am |
| Hospitals, schools, institutions of higher learning, homes for aged sick, etc. | 60 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 50 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
| 75 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 55 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
| Residential buildings located less than 150m from the construction site | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 65 dBA
(Leq 1 hr) | 55 dBA
(Leq 1 hr) |
| 90 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 70 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 55 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
| Buildings other than those stated in the rows above | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 65 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
| 90 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 70 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
Sunday and Public Holidays
| Types of affected buildings | 7am – 7pm | 7pm – 10pm | 10pm – 7am |
| Hospitals, schools, institutions of higher learning, homes for aged sick, etc. | 60 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 50 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
| 75 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 55 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
| Residential buildings located less than 150m from the construction site | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | - |
| 75 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 55 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
| Buildings other than those stated in the rows above | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 65 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
| 90 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 70 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
3 Companies that violate the permissible noise limits could be liable to a maximum fine of $40,000, if convicted.
4 Since 1 September 2011, NEA has implemented the no-work rule for new construction sites located within 150 metres from residential premises and noise sensitive areas, which prohibits construction activities from 10pm on Saturday or eve of public holiday to 7am on Monday or the day after the public holiday.