Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) Regulations 1997

Environmental Standards for Noise Regulations THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT 1991 Regulations made by the Minister under sections 36 and 74 of the Environment Protection Act 1991 1. These regulations may be cited as the Environment Protection (Environmental Standards for Noise) Regulations 1997. 2. In these regulations "dB(A) Leq" means the equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level measured in decibel; “factory” has the same meaning as in section 71 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act 1988; “industrial noise” means noise generated by a factory; “neighbourhood noise” means any noise other than (a) industrial noise; or (b) noise made by an aircraft, an animal or traffic. 3.The environmental noise standards shall be the standards specified in the Schedule. 4. Regulation 3 shall not, for a period of 2 years as from the commencement of these regulations, apply to industrial noise if the activity generating such noise has already started at the commencement of these regulations. 5. (1) Noise measurements shall, as far as practicable, be effected one metre from the nearest opening of any residential building facing the noise source and at 1.5 metres above the ground or floor level. (2) The measurement methods and equipment used shall be those approved by the enforcing agency. 6.These regulations shall come into operation on 1 March, 1997. Made by the Minister on 13 February, 1997. SCHEDULE (regulation 3) NOISE EXPOSURE LIMITS Industrial Noise 07.00 --- 21.00 hrs ... 60*dB(A) Leq 21.00 --- 07.00 hrs ... 55*dB(A) Leq Neighbourhood Noise 07.00 --- 18.00 hrs ... 60 dB(A) Leq 18.00 --- 21.00 hrs ... 55 dB(A) Leq 21.00 --- 07.00 hrs ... 50 dB(A) Leq Apply a tonal character adjustment of +5 dB(A) to the measured value where the noise has a definite continuous note such as a whine or hiss