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BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
I
NDOOR
E
NVIRONMENTAL
Q
UALITY
(I
EQ
)
V
ERSION
1.2
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 140
expressed as appropriate criteria.
Many Hong Kong buildings are built close to roads and railway lines so
ground transportation noise impacts on occupants. Noise from fixed
sources and aircraft may also pose a problem for some developments.
Good planning and design is especially important to mitigate external
noise. Noise mitigation measures such as appropriate road surface
design, screening by non-noise sensitive building structures, podium
structures or purpose built barriers, orientation, or disposition and
internal layout of buildings should be explored in an effort to minimise rail
and road traffic noise.
The design of a building facade, including windows, balconies, openings
for air-conditioning and ventilation, etc., is important in further reducing
the propagation of noise into noise sensitive premises, particularly where
external noise levels exceed the limits given in the Hong Kong Planning
Standards and Guidelines. Even where external sources of noise and/or
noise mitigation measures are shown to satisfy the guidelines, further
attention to noise attenuation is warranted on the grounds of comfort and
privacy.
The selection and erection of building services systems and equipment
also influences the background noise levels in certain locations, and may
also induce unwanted vibration. The sound insulation properties of floors
and internal walls are crucial in controlling noise propagation inside a
building. It is also necessary to consider how the design of premises
affects speech intelligibility.
6.8 B
UILDING
A
MENITIES
I
EQ
22 A
CCESS FOR
P
ERSONS WITH
D
ISABILITY
I
EQ
23 A
MENITY
F
EATURES
B
ACKGROUND
In recent years the HKSAR Government has sought to encourage better
building designs through various ‘green and innovative’ features [8,9]
that can enhance the quality of buildings, and has put in place a number
of incentives to encourage the adoption of such features. Provisions that
improve access for users, make for more enjoyable living and working
spaces, and ensure efficient services to meet the needs of users, etc., all
enhance the quality and efficiency of built environments and thereby
ensure buildings are more sustainable.
8
Buildings Department, Lands Department, Planning Department. Joint Practice Note No. 1. Green and Innovative
Buildings.
http://www.info.gov.hk/bd/english/documents/joint/JPN01.pdf9
Buildings Department, Lands Department, Planning Department. Joint Practice Note No. 2. Second Package of Incentives
to Promote Green and Innovative Buildings.
http://www.info.gov.hk/bd/english/documents/joint/JPN02.pdf