Construction Noise Control Noise Control Ordinance Chapter 400

Construction Noise Control « Noise Control Ordinance » (Chapter 400) 1

Content · «Noise Control Ordinance» · Product noise control · Construction noise permit application · Enforcement practices Form 4 Noise Control Ordinance (Chapter 400) Construction Noise Permit Application 2

«Noise Control Ordinance» • Neighbourhood noise • Industrial / commercial noise • Product noise control • Construction noise 3

Product Noise Control • To phase out noisy products r 4

Product Noise Control • To phase out noisy products • ‘Prescribed’ products for control: • Air compressors • Hand held breakers • Green Label is required for their use 5

Construction Noise Control • Percussive Piling • General Works 6

The Construction Noise Permit (CNP) System 7

Percussive Piling Control • 0700 -1900 hours on non-holidays • CNP Required • Banned during other times 8

Percussive Piling CNP «Technical Memorandum for CNP assessment» • Refuse or issue CNP for 3, 5 or 12 -hour • Piling hours to suit schools & exams 9

Percussive Piling CNP • Tightened controls on noisy hammers (e. g. : Diesel piling hammer) • CNP for noisy hammers would be refused (Provision for special cases) 10

General Works – General control for the whole territory PME (Powered Mechanical – Stricter requirement within designated areas (e. g. major housing estates) SPME (Specified Powered Equipment) Mechanical Equipment) PCW (Prescribed Construction Work) 11

General Works Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment • Hand-held percussive breaker • Bulldozer 12

General Works Specified Powered Mechanical Equipment • Concrete lorry mixer • Dump truck • Vibratory poker 13

General Works Prescribed Construction Work (PCW) • Erection / dismantling of formwork / scaffolding • Loading / unloading / handling of rubble, wooden boards, steel bars wood or scaffolding material • Hammering 14

General Works Quiet Method of Prescribed Construction Work • Disposal of rubble through plastic chutes 15

General Works CNP Assessment • Technical memoranda for assessment • Assess noise impact on nearby Noise Sensitive Receivers • Correction for multisites • Complaints / legal actions are taken into consideration 16

Construction Noise Control Philosophy • Daytime - no CNP control on GW • Nighttime - people have the right of peace for rest • No CNP granted unless really necessary 17

CNP Applications • Fully utilize the less noise sensitive hours • Apply only if really necessary • Self - assess before applying • Apply well in advance • Provide relevant information 18

CNP Assessment – Meeting noise requirements – No prohibited activities – Unavoidable constraints on working hours • Justification required • Quietest means + Practical noise mitigation measures 19

Quiet Construction Work Use Quieter Equipment Modern wire saw for concrete cutting 16 d. B(A) lower than excavator mounted breaker 20

Quiet Construction Work Use Quieter Equipment Hydraulic piling hammer reduce 2 -9 d. B(A) Hydraulic crusher for demolition 20 d. B(A) lower than excavator mounted breaker 21

Quiet Construction Work Use Quieter Equipment Enclosure / Barriers Acoustic enclosure for breaker reduce 3 -5 d. B(A) Enclosure effectively reduced noise from generator 6 m barrier for pre-bored machines reduce 3 d. B(A) 22

Quiet Construction Work Use Quieter Equipment Enclosure / Barriers Container used as noise enclosure Specific design noise enclosure 23

Communication with Neighbours Good communication with affected neighbors reduce complaint Control of the flow of people during holiday 24

Enforcement Practices • EPD / Police will take action if : – use of prescribed products without the Green Label – no valid CNP for work when necessary – CNP conditions are not complied with 25

Enforcement Practices • Police would: – possess copies of issued CNP – investigate complaints – initiate prosecution 26

Enforcement Practices • EPD would : – relay complaints to Police – investigate complaints – conduct surveillance inspection – initiate prosecution 27

Enforcement Practices • Offences spotted would : – result in cancellation of CNPs – have an effect on CNP renewals – lead to prosecution action 28

Enforcement Practices • Main contractors are strictly liable • Any persons involved are also liable: – sub-contractors – person-in-charge – workers – managing directors 29

Enforcement Practices • Fine : – $100, 000 on first conviction – $200, 000 on 2 nd or subsequent convictions – daily fine $20, 000 per day. • Conviction records would be : – Relayed to Client Government Departments / bureaux – Released to the press 30

Summary • Noise Control Ordinance • CNP for -Percussive Piling -General Works • Green Label for -Air compressors -Hand-held breaker 31

Summary • Allow no work at night time & on holidays without a CNP • Monitoring / control site activities - own work / subcontractors • Rectify irregularities promptly • Educate staff / provide training • Minimize disturbances • Prevention is better than cure 32

Environmental Protection Department 33