British Noise Legislation

I have been researching into British legislation surrounding noise pollution as I am looking at a potential studio project in a residential area. The Noise Act 1996 states: (1)For the purposes of this group of sections, the Secretary of State may by directions in writing determine the maximum level of noise (referred to in this group of sections as “the permitted level”) which may be emitted during night hours from any dwelling. (2)The permitted level is to be a level applicable to noise as measured from within any other dwelling in the vicinity by an approved device used in accordance with any conditions subject to which the approval was given. (3)Different permitted levels may be determined for different circumstances, and the permitted level may be determined partly by reference to other levels of noise. (4)The Secretary of State may from time to time vary his directions under this section by further directions in writing. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/37/contents This isn't very helpful if you're trying to design a studio to a certain isolation specification! However, the Directions under Section 5 of the 1996 Noise Act (2008) does specify levels: http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/noise/legislation/documents/noiseact-directions-approval2008.pdf So, if the ambient level is less than 24dBA then anything 35dBA or less is permissible. If the ambient level is more than 24dBA then the permissible level is the ambient level +10dBA. Hope this isn't a repeat of previously posted information.

So, if the ambient level is less than 24dBA then anything 35dBA or less is permissible.

:shock: :!: Which, of course, is practically impossible to comply with! Even standing dead still doing nothing but breathing, you'd be on the verge of breaking that law... Say one single word, even in a whisper, and you are over the edge! Sometimes one has to wonder about the sanity and intelligence of the politicians who pass legislation like this... Even spending 5 minutes with a sound level meter in a typical residential neighborhood would show them just how ridiculous such levels are. I'd like to see any of them actually comply with their own law while living a normal life! About the only saving grace is in paragraph 2: the measurement has to be made INSIDE the residence. you guys got lucky there: Where I live, they aren't even that forgiving: the measurement has to be taken on the property line, at the position that is most prejudicial to the person emitting the noise, and at the time when the noise is at its highest level... But thanks for posting that info: It's very useful to have that here, for studio builders in the UK. - Stuart -