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BEAM PLUS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS SITE A SPECTS (S A)
V ERSION 1.2 SA 2 NOISE FROM BUILDING E QUIPMENT
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 29
2 SITE ASPECTS 2.2 EMISSIONS FROM THE SITE
SA 2 NOISE FROM BUILDING EQUIPMENT
EXCLUSIONS None.
OBJECTIVE Reduce the nuisance caused to neighbours by noise from building
services equipment.
CREDITS ATTAINABLE 1
PREREQUISITES Compliance with the Noise Control Ordinance and Subsidiary
Regulations.
CREDIT REQUIREMENT 1 credit for demonstrating the level of the intruding noise at the facade of
the potential noise sensitive receivers is in compliance with the criteria
recommended in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines.
ASSESSMENT Assessment should be made at the facade of the potential noise
sensitive receivers.
Noise assessments shall be conducted in accordance with the Technical
Memorandum [ 1]. This lays down statutory Acceptable Noise Levels
(ANL).
When assessed in accordance with the Technical Memorandum, the
level of the intruding noise at the facade of the nearest sensitive receiver
should be at least 5dB(A) below the appropriate ANL shown in Table 3 of
the Technical Memorandum or, in the case of the background being 5
dB(A) lower than the ANL, should not be higher than the background, in
accordance with paragraph 4.2.13, Chapter 9 of the Hong Kong Planning
and Standards Guidelines [2].
The Client shall provide evidence in form of detailed analysis,
appropriate calculations and/or measurements that the building complies
with the assessment criteria. In cases where a Noise Abatement Notice
has been served, evidence of full compliance with the required remedial
action shall also be presented.
BACKGROUND Unwanted sound from equipment on and around buildings contributes to
noise pollution with potential impacts on neighbouring properties. Under
the Noise Control Ordinance noise emanating from certain types of
premises is controlled by means of Noise Abatement Notices which may
be served on owners or occupiers of offending premises if the noise
emitted:
 does not comply with the ANLs as set out in a technical
memorandum;
 is a source of annoyance to any person other than persons on the
premises; and
 does not comply with any standard or limit contained in any current
Regulations.
In practice the Authority will respond to complaints and compliance with
the ANLs will be required only after a Noise Abatement Notice has been
served. Non-compliance with such a notice will be an offence. The
Technical Memorandum [1] contains the technical procedures that
1 Environmental Protection Department. Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places Other than
Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites.
2 Hong Kong Planning and Standards Guidelines, Chapter 9 Environment