Noise Pollution Regulations In Singapore

Noise regulations are enforced in Singapore. Depending on the nature of noise pollution, they are handled by various government agencies. Noise pollution regulations in Singapore can be generally classified into five categories:

  1. Maximum permissible noise levels for factories
  2. Maximum permissible noise levels for construction work
  3. Maximum boundary noise emission limits for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in non-industrial buildings
  4. Workplace safety and health (noise) regulations 2011
  5. Miscellaneous offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act

Maximum Permissible Noise Levels for Factories

NEA (National Environment Agency) regulates the noise levels from industrial operations through setting boundary noise limits for factories premises. The regulation falls under the Environmental Protection and Management Act. There are two sets of requirements depending on the duration of the noise measurement as illustrated in the tables below.

Types of affected premises

 

 Maximum permitted noise levels (reckoned as the equivalent noise level over the specified period) in decibels (dBA)
Day (7am-7pm) Evening (7pm-11pm) Night (11pm-7am)
Noise Sensitive Premises* 60 55 50
Residential Premises 65 60 55
Commercial Premises 70 65 60
Types of affected premises Maximum permitted noise levels (reckoned as the equivalent noise level over 5 minutes) in decibels (dBA)
Day (7am-7pm) Evening (7pm-11pm) Night (11pm-7am)
Noise Sensitive Premises* 65 60 55
Residential Premises 70 65 60
Commercial Premises 75 70 65
Factory Premises 75 70 65
*Noise sensitive premises include hospitals and schools

To feedback on noise pollution issues you may contact the NEA Call Centre at 6225 5632.

For more information, refer here.

Maximum Permissible Noise Levels for Construction Work

Realizing that Singapore’s growth entails the rapid development of both residential, commercial structures and expanded transport infrastructure, NEA works together with industry and the public to establish the maximum permissible noise levels and no-work rule for construction sites.

(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 hr) 50 dBA (Leq 12 hr)
75 dBA (Leq 5 min) 55 dBA (Leq 5 min)
(b) Residential buildings located less than 150m from the construction site 75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 65 dBA (Leq 1 hr) 55 dBA (Leq 1 hr)
90 dBA (Leq 5 min) 70 dBA (Leq 5 min) 55 dBA (Leq 5 min)
(c) Buildings other than those in (a) and (b) above 75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 65 dBA (Leq 12 hr)
90 dBA (Leq 5 min) 70 dBA (Leq 5 min)

(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 hr) 50 dBA (Leq 12 hr)
75 dBA (Leq 5 min) 55 dBA (Leq 5 min)
(b) Residential buildings located less than 150m from the construction site 75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 55 dBA (Leq 5 min)
75 dBA (Leq 5 min)
(c) Buildings other than those in (a) and (b) above 75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 65 dBA (Leq 12 hr)
90 dBA (Leq 5 min) 70 dBA (Leq 5 min)
* reckoned as the equivalent continuous noise level over the specified period, i.e. 5 mins, 1 hr or 12 hrs.

No Work Rule

No work rule is enforced for construction sites located within 150m away from residential premises and noise sensitive premises where *no work allowed from 10.00pm on Saturday/eve of Public Holiday to 7.00am on the following Monday/day after the Public Holiday.

*Applicable for construction work commenced on or after 1st September 2011

For more information, refer here.

To report:

Maximum Boundary Noise Emission Limits for Air Conditioning and Mechanical Ventilation Systems in Non-Industrial Buildings

This regulation defines the maximum boundary noise emission limits for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in *non-industrial buildings. The following table explains the maximum boundary noise limit.

Type of affected premises Boundary noise limit (reckoned as the equivalent continuous noise level over 15 minutes) in decibels (dBA)
Day
7 am to 7 pm 		Evening
7 pm to 11 pm 		Night
11 pm to 7 am
Noise Sensitive Premises such as hospital, home for the aged sick, library, etc 60 55 50
Residential Premises 65 60 55
*Non-industrial buildings refer to any permanent or temporary building or structure used for the purposes of trade, business or commerce and includes any shopping complex, financial institution, office tower, hotel, educational institution, hospital, transport infrastructures, community infrastructure, sport and recreational infrastructure but does not include any factory and residential premises.

For more information, refer here.

Workplace Safety and Health (Noise) Regulations 2011

To prevent noise-induced deafness (NID) and conserve the hearing of Singapore workforce, Workplace Safety and Health Regulations 2011 is put in place. The regulations apply to workplace where a person is exposed or likely to be exposed to excessive noise caused by machinery/equipment used in the workplace or any process/operation/work carried out in the workplace. The regulations stipulate the noise control measurements to be taken and define the proper procedures of noise monitoring, selection of hearing protectors as well as the training programme for the workers.

For more information, refer to here.

Miscellaneous offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act

Under Section 15 of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, magistrate’s court may act on a complaint made by the occupier when he/she is aggrieved by noise amounting to a nuisance. In the course where the nuisance is proven to exist, the offenders will be ordered to abate the nuisance within a specified time or/and to execute any works necessary to prevent the recurrence of the noise nuisance. Offenders without reasonable excuse contravenes any requirement of the order will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

For more information, refer here.

Other Guidelines

HDB Renovation

  • General renovation works can be carried out only between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm daily.
  • Noisy renovation work, e.g. demolition of walls, removal of wall/floor finishes, cutting of tiles, drilling works, etc. are restricted to weekdays, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
  • No noisy works are allowed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays and eve of major Public Holidays (i.e. New Year, Lunar New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas).
  • Do-It-Yourself (DIY) works involving drilling or hammering are advised not to carry out between 10.30pm to 7.00am.

For more information, refer here.

To report, call HDB (Branch Service Line) at 1800 225 5432 (only available on weekdays, 8:00am to 5:00pm).

Town Council Common Areas Usage

Under the regulations of the Town Councils in Singapore, common area (i.e. void decks/link building) can be booked for functions ranging from social (e.g. wedding, birthday parties, etc.), bereavement (e.g. funeral wakes, memorial rites), religious (e.g. 7th moon festival dinners/prayers) to Kenduri. Under the terms and conditions of respective Town Councils, *activities which are likely to create noise nuisance cannot be carried out after 10.30pm. If the noise persists between 10.30pm to around 7am, you may contact the police by calling the police hotline 1800-2550000.

*Activities include 1) erecting tentage and/or stage, 2) arrangement of tables, chairs or furniture, 3) playing any form of amplified music or sound and 4) playing mahjong, football or other noise generating games within the vicinity of the venue.

References

  • https://www.ecitizen.gov.sg
  • http://www.nea.gov.sg
  • https://www.wshc.sg
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