Maximum Permissible Noise Levels for Construction Work
All construction sites are required to abide by the permissible noise limits set by NEA under the Environmental Protection and Management (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations, which are progressively more stringent after 7pm and 10pm. The permissible noise levels for residential buildings located less than 150m from the construction site are shown in the table below. For instance, construction work at the worksite must not exceed the noise limit of 90 dBA (Leq-5mins) over any 5-minute period between 7am to 7pm, and must not exceed 75 dBA (Leq-12hr) at the end of the specified period from 7am to 7pm (12 hr).
Mondays to Saturdays
| Types of affected buildings | 7am - 7pm | 7pm - 10pm | 10pm - 7am |
|---|
(a) Hospital, 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) |
(b) 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) |
(c) Buildings other than those in (a) and (b)
above | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 65 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
90 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 70 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
Sundays and public holidays
| Types of affected buildings | 7am - 7pm | 7pm - 10pm | 10pm - 7am |
|---|
(a) Hospital, 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) |
(b) 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) |
(c) Buildings other than those in (a) and (b)
above | 75 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) | 65 dBA
(Leq 12 hrs) |
90 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) | 70 dBA
(Leq 5 mins) |
*Leq refers to the equivalent continuous noise level over the specified period, i.e. 5 mins, 1 hr or 12 hrs.
#dBA refers to an A-weighted decibel which is an expression of the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear.