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BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS S ITE ASPECTS (S A)
V ERSION 1.2 S A 12 NOISE DURING CONSTRUCTION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 54
General requirements [6] and practical guidance [7] on meeting the
requirements are available from EPD. The Police are also authorised to
enforce the sections of industrial noise and construction noise under the
NCO. Construction activities are grouped into two main categories:
 general works (e.g. excavation and concreting); and
 percussive piling (e.g. piling by means of a hydraulic hammer or a
drop hammer).
A Technical Memorandum [8] details the procedures for determining any
permitted hours of operation for percussive piling. Control of construction
noise for general works can be further categorised into:
 control in the whole territory - the use of all Powered Mechanical
Equipment (PME) requires a Construction Noise Permit (CNP)
during restricted hours; and
 control in Designated Areas - stricter control is imposed on
construction sites within Designated Areas (DA). Most of the built-up
residential areas are within designated areas. The use of Specified
Powered Mechanical Equipment and the carrying out of Prescribed
Construction Work (PCW) during restricted hours requires a CNP.
For construction work other than percussive piling other technical
memoranda [9,10] detail the procedures for determining (on the basis of
equipment used, distance separation, and the calculated noise level)
whether a CNP for general works should be granted. The noise impacts
on nearby Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs, e.g. dwellings, school) are
assessed in accordance with the Technical Memorandum. Under the
Noise Control Ordinance, there is no statutory control on the noise from
general works during the unrestricted hours (i.e. 7 am - 7 pm on
weekdays).
Examples of ‘good practices’ in respect of further reducing noise
nuisance from construction activities include erection of barriers and use
of enclosures, and use of appropriate equipment such as:
 hydraulic piling hammers;
 hydraulic crushers instead of conventional excavator mounted
breakers;
 wire saw for concrete cutting rather than excavator mounted
breakers
 acoustic enclosures for hand-held breakers and generators;
 acoustic barriers for large equipment;
 disposal of rubble through plastic chutes; or
 providing temporary solutions to reduce noise at adjacent noise
sensitive receivers, such as the provision of acoustic insulation.
6 Environmental Protection Department. EIA & Planning: guidelines & references, section 3 Noise Control.
7
8 Environmental Protection Department. Technical Memorandum on Noise from Percussive Piling.
9 Environmental Protection Department. Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work other than Percussive
Piling.
10 Environmental Protection Department. Technical Memorandum on Noise from Construction Work in Designated Areas.