SAEHC-S-19

COMMUNITY &
ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE
 Community & Environmental Noise, SAEHC-S-19

SAEHC-S-19
COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE

Noise is sound unwanted by the receiver. Excessive community & environmental noise can cause
annoyance, sleep deprivation and other physiological effects. Sleep disturbance has a social and
economic cost as well impacting physical wellbeing. It is manifested by reduced work performance and
loss of concentration. Community noise may provoke disputes between neighbors. This section provides
guidance and criteria for noise sensitive development adjacent to road, rail, and airports, environmental
noise from industrial premises, the control of construction noise, and the performance of separating walls
and floors in contiguous housing and hospital settings. NOTE: All subsections should be read in
conjunction with appropriate referenced documents listed at the end of this Section.

DEFINITIONS:

“A” Weighting: A scale that corresponds most closely to the response of the human ear to noise.

Ambient Noise (LA90,TdB): Totally encompassing sound in a given situation at a given time usually
composed of many sounds from near and far. Also referred to as background noise.

Accredited laboratory: A laboratory that belongs to the National Measurement and Accreditation service
(NAMAS) or equivalent national or international agency.

“C” Weighting: A scale that generally has a flat response over the frequency spectrum and is typically
used to measure aircraft noise and similar noise events.

Competent Agency: Body appointed by KSA to regulate environmental standards.

Community noise: Noise emitted from all sources except the industrial workplace.

Construction noise: refers to noise emitted from building, demolition, refurbishment or associated
activities but does not apply to emergency repair work or work associated with emergency response.

Day: The time period between 07.00 and 19.00 hours.

Decibel (dB): A tenth of a bel. A linear scale used to compress the logarithmic amplitude scale used in
sound level measurement.

Dwelling: A unit of residential accommodation occupied as a sole or main residence by an individual or

by individuals living together as a family.

DnT,w Weighted Standardized Field Level Difference. DnT,w is a measure of the sound insulation
performance of a building element that indicates the level of speech privacy between spaces. It is
characterized by the difference in noise level on each side of a wall or floor. The higher the number the
better the insulation performance.

Evening: Time period between 19.00 and 23.00 hours.

Environmental Noise: Outdoor sound created by human activity.

Free field: An environment free from reflective surfaces. Typically 3.5 meters from walls, buildings and
similar structures.

Habitable Room: A room occupied by one or more persons for living eating, sleeping or working
purposes. It does not include bathrooms, toilet facilities, laundries, storage areas, corridors and other
such spaces.

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House: A dwelling on one or more storeys, either detached or forming part of a building.

Industrial premises: Any site or facility that extracts, manufactures, stores or processes any product or
substance.

LAeq,T Equivalent continuous sound pressure level: Ten times the logarithm to the base 10 of the
ratio of the square of the root-mean-square sound pressure over a stated time interval to the square of
the reference sound pressure, the sound pressure being obtained with a standard “A” frequency
weighting.
LAmax: Maximum A-weighted sound pressure level for a given time interval or event.

L'nT,w Weighted Standardized Field Impact Sound Pressure Level. L’nT,w is a measure of the noise
impact performance of a floor. It is a field measure of the amount of impact sound reaching a space via a
floor. L’nT,w is characterized by how much sound reaches the receiving room from a standard tapping
machine. The lower the number,the better the performance.

Level: describes the magnitude of the sound in its physical dimension, whether or not there are humans
there to hear it.

Night: Time period between 23.00 and 07.00 hours.

Noise: Sound unwanted by the receiver. Vibration within the range frequency 0-20,000 Hertz.

Noise sensitive facade: The facade of any noise sensitive property that is normally occupied during the
relevant time period of “day”, “evening” or “night” and which includes a window and/or door to a habitable
room.

Noise sensitive property: Any occupied premises outside the noise emitting premises used as a
dwelling (including gardens), place of worship, educational establishment, hospital or similar institution, or
any other property likely to be adversely affected by an increase in noise level.

Noise emitting premises: Premises from which noise is emitted.

Nuisance: An interference that ordinary people would consider unreasonable with the personal comfort
or enjoyment or amenity of neighbours or the community.

Period of measurement: Day, evening or night.

Premises: Any land or building including mobile homes.

Reference time interval (T): The time interval to which the rating of the sound is referred.

Residual noise: The ambient noise remaining at a given position in a given situation when the specific
noise is absent.

Significant noise emitting premises: Premises from which the difference between the emitted noise
and the ambient noise level at that location is 10dB(A) or more.

Sound pressure Level LP: The RMS sound pressure level, reference 20UPa

Sound insulation: Ratio of the sound energy emitted by an acoustical material or structure to the energy
incident on the opposite side. Also known as sound attenuation and sound transmission loss.

Specific noise source: Refers to the noise emitting party / structure that is under investigation.

Tonal: Sound characterized by a single frequency component or narrow-band components that emerge
audibly from the total sound.
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1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 This Code Section sets out standards for sound insulation of separating walls and floors in
hospitals and domestic dwelling houses in different occupation within Saudi Aramco
Communities, provides guidance on noise sensitive development adjacent to industrial
premises and transportation links, defines criteria used for assessing acceptability of noise
emitted from industrial plants and construction sites. This Code section does not apply to
occupational noise exposure controlled by SAES-A-105 “Noise Control”, or noise emitted from
places of worship.

1.2 Saudi Aramco proponent organizations shall ensure that the provisions of this Code section
are implemented.

1.3 Classification of noise sensitive receptors:

A: Quiet areas - places of worship, hospitals, schools and noise sensitive natural habitats.
B: Sensitive - domestic dwelling houses, hospitals and hotels.
C: Mixed - residential and commercial areas including retail and financial districts.
D: Non-sensitive: predominantly industrial areas with few residential properties and
commercial premises - applies to industrial cities and land that is generally unpopulated.

1.4 Classification of commercial and industrial premises:

A1: Retail.
A2: Warehousing.
A3: Light Industrial (in residential areas).
A4: Medium density industry.
A5: High density industry.

1.5 Noise levels shall be measured using a type 1 integrating averaging sound level meter or
equivalent system conforming to BS EN 60804:1994 or ANSI Standard S1.4-1983 or ANSI
S1.43-1997 (R1997), "Specifications for Sound Level Meters," or, IEC 61672-1:2002 (BS EN
61672-1:2003), Class 1 or 2.

1.6 Sound levels meters (SLMs), ancillary devices, and equipment (hereafter referred to as
SLMs) must be fit for purpose and be capable of performing measurements in accordance with
the provisions outlined in this Code section. SLMs must have the following functionality as a
minimum:

1.6.1 Weighting scales - A, linear, and C.

1.6.2 Response – Fast slow and impulse.

1.6.3 Statistical analysis – L10, L50, L90, LEQ, SEL.

1.6.4 Band filters - Octave and third octave.

1.6.5 A building acoustic analyzer is the instrument of choice when conducting sound level
measurements required by sub-section 2.

1.6.6 Exchange rate – 3 dB.

1.7 SLMs shall be calibrated before and each measurement using an acoustic calibrator or piston
phone conforming to Class 1 or better of BS 7189:1989 or Class 1 or 2 of IEC 60942. The
precision for measuring instruments shall be + or – 0.1dB.

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1.8 Sound level meters and acoustic calibrators shall be sent to an accredited laboratory per
ANSI standard for intrinsic calibration at intervals specified by the equipment manufacturer. The
minimum frequency for intrinsic calibration for sound level meters shall not exceed two years for
sound level meters and annually for acoustic calibrators including piston phones.

1.9 The following records must be maintained:

1.9.1 Calibration certificates from accredited laboratories.

1.9.2 Field calibration of sound level meters.

1.9.3 Measurement methods.

1.9.4 Weather conditions when measurements are made in the open, including wind speed
and direction; relative humidity, precipitation, cloud cover and temperature inversion.

1.9.5 Date time and location of measurements. Measurement positions shall be mapped.

1.9.6 Character of noise.

1.9.7 Description of measurement position

1.10 Measurements shall not be made during adverse weather conditions. The wind speed shall
be between 1 and 5 meters per second measured at a height of 3 to 11 meters above the
ground; wind direction within an angle of 45º of the direction connecting the dominant sound
source and the centre of the specified measurement area; the wind direction is from the specific
noise source towards the noise receiver; there should be no strong temperature inversions near
to the ground; and there should be no significant precipitation.

1.11 Free field noise measurements must be made between 1.2 and 1. 5 m above ground level and
3.5 m from reflecting surfaces.

1.12 An approved wind shield must be used during outdoor noise measurements.

2 SOUND INSULATION OF PARTY WALLS AND FLOORS

2.1 This section applies to new and substantially modified dwelling houses constructed after date
of issue of this Code and to hospitals and clinics. It does not apply to detached dwelling
houses.

2.2 Every domestic dwelling house must be designed and constructed in such a way that each
wall and floor separating one dwelling from another, or one dwelling from another part of the
building, or one dwelling from a building other than a dwelling, to limit the transmission of noise
to a level that will not threaten the health of the occupants of the dwelling or cause nuisance.
This does not apply to external walls.

2.3 Every hospital and clinic must be designed in such a way that recreation rooms, exercise
rooms, equipment rooms, and similar spaces where impact noises may be generated shall not
be located directly over patient bed areas or delivery and operating suites, unless special
provisions are made to minimize such noise.

2.4 Separating walls floors in domestic dwelling houses must meet the sound reduction criteria
specified in Table 1.

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Table 1
Sound Reduction Criteria for Domestic Party Walls and Floors
Airborne sound DnT,w Mean value (dB) Individual value (dB)
Walls 53 49
Floors 52 48
Impact sound L'nT,w
Floors 61 55

2.5 Separating walls and floors in hospitals and clinics must meet the sound reduction criteria
specified in Table 2.

Table 2
Sound Reduction Criteria for Party Walls & Floors in General Hospitals
Airborne sound DnT,w

New Construction (mean value, dB)

Walls Floors
1
Patient room to patient room 45 40
2
Public space to patient room 55 40
3
Service areas to patient room 65 45
4
Patient room access corridor 45 45
Exam room to exam room 45 --
Exam room to public space 45 --
Toilet room to public space 45 --
Consultation rooms/conference rooms 45 --
to public space
Consultation rooms/conference rooms 45 --
to patient rooms
Staff lounges to patient rooms 45 --

Existing construction
Patient room to patient room 35 40
Public space to patient room 40 40
Service areas to patient room 45 45
1 Treatment rooms shall be considered the same as patient rooms.
2 Public space includes corridors (except patient room access corridors), lobbies, dining rooms, recreation rooms,
and similar space.
3 Service areas for the purposes of this table include kitchens, elevators, elevator machine rooms, laundries,
garages, maintenance rooms, boiler and mechanical equipment rooms, and similar spaces of high noise.
Mechanical equipment located on the same floor or above patient rooms, offices, nurses stations, and similar
occupied space shall be effectively isolated from the floor.
4 Patient room access corridors contain composite walls with doors/windows and have direct access to patient
rooms.

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2.6 Tests must be carried out according to the method specified by EN ISO 140-4: 1998
(airborne) and EN ISO 140-7: 1998 (Impact).

2.7 Measurement Conditions

2.7.1 For each wall or floor under test perform up to four sets of measurements.

2.7.2 Take one set of measurements between each pair of rooms.

2.7.3 For rooms of unequal area, the sound source must be in the larger room.

2.7.4 Tests are to be done in completed but unfurnished rooms.

2.7.5 Tests will determine the standardized level differences (DnT) for airborne sound
transmission and the standardized impact sound pressure levels (L'nT) for impact sound
transmission.

2.7.6 Calculate the weighted standardized level difference DnT,w and weighted standardized
impact sound pressure level (L'nT,w) EN ISO 717-1: 1997 and EN ISO 717-2: 1997.

2.7.7 For dwelling houses the calculated value from each set of measurements must be no
worse than the individual value specified in Table 1

2.7.8 For dwelling houses the mean of four set of measurements must be no worse than the
mean value specified in Table 1 and for hospitals no worse than the mean value
specified in Table 2.

2.8 Deemed to satisfy provisions for domestic dwelling houses.

2.8.1 Any party wall or floor constructed in a workmanlike manner in accordance with one of
the specifications listed in sub-sections 2.7.3 and 2.7.4 shall be deemed to satisfy the
sound reduction criteria specified in Table 1.

2.8.2 Disputes on workmanship shall be resolved by testing the performance of the partition
as specified by subsection 2.5 and evaluating results against the sound reduction
criteria specified in Table 1. If the party wall of floor fails to satisfy the performance
standard the party wall or floor shall be modified, upgraded or rebuilt until it meets the
specified sound reduction criteria.

2.8.3 Party walls:

2.8.3.1 Solid masonry where resistance to airborne sound depends mainly on the
mass of the wall. Types of construction:

2.8.3.1.1 Brick with13 mm gypsum or 12.5mm gypsum, each side, with

2
a mass, including gypsum or gypsumboard, of 375 kg/m .

3
2.8.3.1.2 Concrete (minimum density 1500 kg/m ), in-situ or large panel
2
(gypsum optional). Mass (including gypsum if used) 415 kg/m .

2.8.3.2 Cavity masonry where resistance to airborne sound depends on the mass of
the leaves and on the degree of isolation achieved.

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2.8.3.2.1 Two leaves brick separated by a 50 mm cavity, with13 mm

gypsum on both room faces, with a mass including gypsum of
2
415 kg/m .

2.8.3.2. 2 Two leaves concrete block separate by a 50 mm cavity, with13

mm gypsum on both room faces with a mass including gypsum
2
of 415 kg/m .

2.8.3.3 Solid masonry between isolated panels where resistance to airborne sound
depends on the mass and type of core and on the isolation and mass of the
panels.

2.8.3.3.1 Brick with an isolated panel on each side having a mass of 300
2
kg/m or
2
2.8.3.3.2 Concrete block, mass 300 kg/m or
2
2.8.3.3.3 Lightweight aggregate concrete block, mass 200 kg/m
3
(maximum density 1500 kg/m ). Example: 140 mm core, 225
3
mm coursing; block density of 1405 kg/m gives the required
mass with

2.8.3.3.4 Isolation panel constructed from two sheets of gypsumboard

joined by a cellular core (confirm) with a mass (including
2
gypsum finish if used) of 18 kg/m . The isolation panel shall be
fixed to ceiling and floor only. Tape joints between panels or
two sheets of gypsumboard with joints staggered. Thickness of
each sheet 12.5 mm if a supporting framework is used, or total
thickness of 30 mm if no framework is used.

2.8.3.4 Timber frames with absorbent curtain where resistance to airborne sound
depends on the isolation of the frames plus absorption in the air space
between.

2.8.3.4.1 Timber frames, 200 mm between claddings, plus absorbent

curtain in cavity. Plywood sheathing may be used in the cavity
as necessary for structural reasons or

2.8.3.4.2 Timber frames, masonry core, plus absorbent curtain in a

cavity. Claddings 200 mm apart (ignore core).Framing must be
clear of core by 5 mm or

2.8.3.4.3 Timber frames, masonry core, plus absorbent curtain in a

cavity. Claddings 200 mm apart (ignore core).Framing must be
clear of core by 5 mm with,

2.8.3.4.4 Masonry core. Masonry cores do not normally improve sound

transmission loss and are typically used for support in stepped
or staggered situations. There are no restrictions on type but
the core may be connected to only one frame with,

2.8.3.4.5 A cladding constructed on each side of the frame from two or

more layers of gypsumboard, with a combined thickness of 30
mm and staggered joints to avoid air paths and

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2.8.3.4.6 An absorbent curtain which shall be unfaced mineral fiber quilt

3
(may be wire reinforced), density 12-36 kg/m , thickness 25
mm if suspended in the cavity between frames, 50 mm if fixed
to one frame, or 25 mm per quilt if one fixed to each frame.

2.8.4. Party Floors:

2.8.4.1 Concrete base with soft covering where resistance to airborne sound
depends on the mass of the concrete base, eliminating air paths and the soft
covering reduces impact sound at source.

2.8.4.1.1 Solid concrete slab (in-situ) with mass including (including any
2
screed and/or ceiling finish) 365 kg/m or

2.8.4.1.2 Solid concrete slab with permanent shuttering with mass

(including shuttering only if it is solid concrete or metal and
2
including any screed and/or ceiling finish) 365 kg/m or

2.8.4.1.3 Concrete beams with infilling blocks, with a floor screed and or
2
structural topping having a combined mass of 365 kg/m or

2.8.4.1.4 Pre-cast concrete sections (solid or hollow) with a floor screed

and or structural topping having a combined mass of 365
2
kg/m with

2.8.4.1.5 A soft covering comprising any resilient material, or material

with a resilient base, with an overall uncompressed thickness
of 4.5 mm. (A material is resilient if it returns to its original
thickness after it has been compressed). The soft covering
must be bonded to the floor base and

2.8.4.1.6 The floor base, excluding any screed, must pass through the
leaf whether spanning parallel to, or at right angles to, the wall.
The cavity must not be bridged.

2.8.4.2 Platform floor with absorbent blanket:

2.8.4.2.1 A floating layer of timber or wood based board, 18 mm thick,

with tongue and grooved edges, joints glued, spot bonded to
substrate of 19 mm gypsumboard or

2.8.4.2.2 A floating layer of two thicknesses of cement bonded

particleboard with joints staggered, glued and screwed
together, total thickness 24 mm with

2.8.4.2.3 An absorbent blanket, comprising a resilient layer of 25 mm

3
mineral fiber, density 60-100 kg/m and

2.8.4.2.4 The floor base shall be constructed of 12 mm timber boarding

or wood-based board nailed to timber joists (size to suit the
structure) and

2.8.4.2.5 A ceiling comprising two layers of gypsumboard with joints

staggered, total thickness 30 mm, with an absorbent blanket of
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3
100 mm unfaced mineral fiber, density 12-36 kg/m , laid on the
ceiling.

2.8.4.3 Heavy ribbed floor with absorbent blanket:

2.8.4.3.1 Floating layer of timber or wood based board, 18 mm thick with

tongued and grooved edges and all joints glued, spot bonded
to substrate of 19 mm gypsumboard nailed to 45 mm x 45 mm
timber battens placed on the joists.

3
2.8.4.3.2 Resilient strips of 25 mm mineral fiber, density 80-140 kg/m ,
laid on joists.

2.8.4.3.3 Floor base of 45 mm thick timber joists.

2.8.4.3.4 Ceiling of two layers of gypsumboard with joints staggered,

total thickness 30 mm, with an absorbent blanket of 100 mm
3
unfaced mineral fiber, density 12-36 kg/m , laid on the ceiling.

2.8.4.4 Ribbed floor with heavy deafening:

2.8.4.4.1 Floating layer of timber or wood based board, 18 mm thick with

tongued and grooved edges and all joints glued, nailed to 45
mm x 45 mm timber battens placed either on or between joists
(for sheet materials, placing on joists is recommended).

3
2.8.4.4.2 Resilient strips of 25 mm mineral fiber, density 80-140 kg/m ,
laid on joists.

2.8.4.4.3 Floor base of 45 mm thick timber joists.

2.8.4.4.4 Ceiling of either 19 mm dense gypsum on expanded metal lath

or 6 mm plywood fixed under the joists plus two layers of
gypsumboard with joints staggered, total thickness 25 mm.
2
Both types of ceiling to have deafening of mass 80 kg/m laid
on a polyethylene layer.

2.8.4.4.5 Deafening material shall comprise, 2-10mm limestone chips

(60 mm), or 2-10mm whin aggregate (60 mm), or dry sand (50
mm). Dry sand should not be used at rooms comprising
kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms or water closet.

2.8.4.5 Timber base with independent ceiling where the resistance to airborne and
impact sound depends mainly on the mass and isolation of the independent
ceiling and partly on the mass of the floor base. This type of floor must only
be used with heavy masonry walls.

2.8.4.5.1 Timber boarding or wood based board, 18 mm thick with

tongued and grooved edges (or 3.2 mm hardboard over the
whole floor to seal gaps).

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2
2.8.4.5.2 Forty five (45) mm thick joists plus deafening of mass 80 kg/m
and a ceiling of either 19 mm dense gypsum on lath or two
layers of gypsumboard with joints staggered, total thickness 30
mm. Deafening materials are specified in sub-section
2.7.4.4.4.

2.8.4.5.3 In existing floors deafening may be on boards between joists,

in new floors use 6 mm plywood fixed to underside of joists. A
polyethylene liner may be used if desired.

2.8.4.5.4 The independent ceiling shall be constructed of an absorbent

3
blanket of 25 mm unfaced mineral fiber, density 12-36 kg/m ,
draped over 45 mm thick joists supported independently of the
floor. Ceiling of two layers of gypsumboard with joints
staggered, total thickness 30 mm. Keep ceiling 150 mm away
from the underside of the floor base.

2.8.4.5 Floor penetrations including ducts or pipes must be enclosed above and
beneath the floor. Either line the enclosure, or wrap the duct or pipe within
the enclosure, with 25 mm unfaced mineral fiber. The material of the
2
enclosure must have a mass of 15 kg/m . This subsection applies to all party
floor types specified in sub-section 2.7.4.

3 COMMUNITY NOISE

3.1 Noise sensitive development shall not be permitted in areas exposed to sound pressure
levels exceeding the standard specified in Table 3 unless mitigation measures can be
employed to reduce the sound pressure level to the stated standard.

3.2 Noise shall not be emitted from premises (except areas controlled by the Royal
Commission Jubail and Yanbu.(RCJ&Y) in excess of the sound pressure level specified in
Table 3 at the boundary of any noise sensitive property.

3.3 Noise levels at the boundary fence of premises in areas controlled by the Royal
Commission Jubail Yanbu.(RCJ&Y) shall not exceed the sound pressure level specified in
Table 4.

3.4 Permitted community noise limits specified in Table 3 apply one meter from the façade of
a noise sensitive receptor or in the case of a noise sensitive habitat at the nearest boundary
facing the noise emitting premises.

35 Noise criteria for occupied and roadside areas within RCJ&Y specified in Table 4 applies to
noise levels measured at properties adjacent to the source of the noise or to noise levels in
public areas or as otherwise specified in sub-section 3.3.

3.6 Where a noise source is emitted from premises adjoining the noise sensitive property or has
a blank wall facing the premises from which the noise source is emitted the internal noise
level in any habitable room shall be at least 10 dB below the permitted noise limits specified
in Table 3.

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Table 3
Permitted community noise limits
Day
Night
Evening
2
LAeq ,
1 LAeq, 8h
Noise Sensitive Receptor 12h LAeq, 4h (dB)
(dB)
(dB)
A 50 45 40
B 55 50 45
C 60 55 50
1. Refer to subsection 1.3 for classifications.
2. A weighted

3.7 Overriding limit: The LAmax at night in habitable rooms specified in Table 3 shall not exceed
60 dB.

3.8 Exceptions to Table 3:

3.8.1 If there are two emitting premises the permitted LAeq limit specified in Table 3 shall be
reduced by 3 dB

3.8.2 If there are more than two emitting premises the permitted LAeq limit specified in Table
3 shall be reduced by 5 dB.

Table 4
Noise criteria for occupied and roadside areas within RCJ&Y
Maximum Noise Measured at Property Line -
Occupied Areas Not to be exceeded >10% of Measured Time
(LA10, dB)
Zoning District
1. Residential and Institutional 50
2. Small Business and Commercial 65
3. Industrial 75
1 2
Roadside Areas LA10 18 hours in dB
3
Residential Areas 70
Building Interior, Closed Window 50
1. Roadside criteria based on freely or peak flowing traffic
2. L10 (18 hrs) represents the noise level which is exceeded 10% of the time over 18 hrs.
3. Noise level measured at a distance of one meter from the building façade

3.9 Measurement Procedures:

3.9.1 Free field sound level measurements must be taken between 1.2 and 1.5 m above
ground level and 3.5 m from reflecting surfaces.

3.9.1.1 If general environmental noise is high as a result of extraneous sources the

specific noise may be assessed by measurement of the LA90,T
background noise provided it is steady and constant with no variation in
the period of measurement. If LA90,T has been used instead of LAeq,T this
must be stated in the measurement report.

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3.9.1.2 The axis of maximum sensitivity of the microphone must be directed

toward the noise source.

3.9.2 Indoor sound level measurements shall be a temporal average of the sound distribution
within the habitable room.

3.9.2.1 Measurements shall be carried out in a figure of eight motion over

3
approximately 1.5 m volume of the room.

3.9.2.2 Measurements shall be made at least 1m from walls and at least 1.5 m
from any externally opening doors and windows.

3.10 If sound levels are predicted the sound propagation model must be specified.

4 CONSTRUCTION NOISE

4.1 Permitted noise levels at a noise sensitive façade are specified in Table 5.

Table 5
Permitted construction noise limits
Day Evening Night
1
Noise Sensitive Receptor LAeq, T (dB) LAeq, T (dB) LAeq, T (dB)
Distance 12m 5m 12m 5m 12m 5m
A,B,C 75 80 65 70 45 50
D 80 - 80 - 80 -
1. Refer to sub-section 1.3 for classifications.

4.1.1 A construction noise permit is required if the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
for a project predicts that the limits specified in Table 5 will be exceeded.

4.1.2 Proponent Organizations shall submit applications for construction noise permits to
EPD for review and submittal to the designated Competent Agency.

4.1.3 EPD shall provide the proponent organization with the construction noise permit
approved by the Competent Agency and provide guidance on request.

4.1.4 Proponent Organizations shall ensure that the terms and conditions of any construction
noise permit issued by the competent agency are complied with and noise
measurements are conducted as needed to ensure compliance. Reports and
monitoring data shall be maintained for a minimum period of two years.

4.2 Measurement Procedure:

4.2.1 Free field sound level measurements must be taken between 1.2 and 1.5 m above
ground level and 3.5 m from reflecting surfaces.

4.2.1.1 If general environmental noise is high as a result of extraneous

sources the specific noise may be assessed by measurement of the
LA90,T background noise provided it is steady and constant with no
variation in the period of measurement. If LA90,T has been used
instead of LAeq,T this must be stated in the measurement report.

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4.2.1.2 The axis of maximum sensitivity of the microphone must be directed

toward the noise source.

4 INDUSTRIAL NOISE

5.1 Proponent Organizations shall not cause or permit excessive noise to be emitted from
premises under their control.

5.2 Proponent Organizations shall take annual sound level measurements at the boundary of
any Saudi Aramco industrial premises located within two hundred meters of a noise sensitive
property.

5.3 Permitted industrial noise limits (except RCJ&Y) at one meter from a noise sensitive façade
are specified in Table 6.

5.4 Proponent Organizations shall provide an annual report to EPD of boundary noise
measurements within thirty days of completion of surveys.

5.5 EPD shall provide competent agencies with a consolidated annual report of boundary noise
measurements conducted by proponent organizations.

Table 6
Permitted Industrial Noise Limits
Day Evening Night

Classification of Premise
1 LAeq, 12h LAeq, 4h LAeq, 8h
2 2 2
(dB) (dB) (dB)
A1 55 50 45
A2 55 50 45
A3 55 50 45
A4 65 60 50
A5 75 65 55
1 Refer to subsection 1.4 for classifications.
2. A weighted

5.6 Exceptions to Table 4:

5.6.1 If there are two significant emitting premises the permitted LAeq limits specified in
Table 6 shall be reduced by 3 dB.

5.6.2 If there are more than two significant emitting premises the permitted LAeq limits
specified in Table 6 shall be reduced by 5 dB

5.7 Measurement Procedure:

5.7.1 Proponent Organizations shall take free field sound level measurements annually at
designated measurement positions along the boundary of industrial premises facing
noise sensitive properties.

5.7.2 Proponent Organizations shall record sound level measurements in EHS or other data
management system specified by EPD.

5.7.3 Sound level measurements shall be taken at twenty-five meter intervals.

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5.7.4 Outdoor noise levels must be measured 1.2 to 1.5 m above ground level and 3. 5 m
from reflecting surfaces

5.7.5 Designated sound level measurements positions shall be recorded on a map.

5.7.6 Contours of equal sound pressure level shall be mapped and extrapolated based on
the principles of outdoor propagation of sound to the L Aeq values specified in Table 6. A
noise isopleth from the boundary fence of the plant shall be maintained to demonstrate
compliance with permitted noise levels specified in Table 6.

5.7.7 The sound propagation model must be specified and recorded along with records
specified by section 1.8 above.

5.7.8 If the propagation model predicts sound measurements will exceed the permitted limits
specified in Table 6 actual noise measurement shall be taken 1 m from the nearest
noise sensitive façade.

5.7.9 Where predicted and actual sound level measurements are in agreement mitigation
measures shall be applied to reduce the noise level at affected noise sensitive
properties to the permitted noise levels specified in Table 6.

5.7.10 In cases where it is impracticable to take outdoor noise measurements indoor noise
measurements must be made with windows open unless these are permanently fixed
closed.

5.7.10.1 Indoor sound level measurements shall be made at least 1m from walls
and at least 1.5 m from any externally opening doors and windows.
5.7.10.2 If general environmental noise is high as a result of extraneous sources the
specific noise may be assessed by measurement of the L A90,T
background noise provided it is steady and constant with no variation in
the period of measurement. If LA90,T has been used instead of LAeq,T this
must be stated in the measurement report.
5.7.10.3 The axis of maximum sensitivity of the microphone must be directed toward
the noise source.

5.7.11 A third octave band analysis in the frequency range 100Hz to 3.15 kHz must be
performed if the noise emitted from the premises exhibits a tonal component.

5.7.11.1 A +5dB correction shall be applied to the measured noise level if any third
octave exceeds the third octave on either side of it by more than 5 dB.

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REFERENCES:

1. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Environmental Standard KSA-001,

Environmental Noise. (Draft 2006).
2. The Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004, SI 2004 No. 406.
3. ISO 140-4: 1998 Acoustics. Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of
building elements. Part 4: field measurements of airborne sound insulation
between rooms.
4. ISO 140-7: 1998 Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of
building elements.
5. ISO 717-1: 1997 Acoustics - Rating of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building
Elements Part 1: Airborne Sound Insulation - AMD 16718:10/31/2006.
6. ISO 717-2: 1997 Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of
building elements — Part 2: Impact sound insulation
7. Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008.
8. Royal Commission Environmental Regulations (RCER), 2004.
9. British Standard (BS) 4142, 1997 - Method for Rating Industrial Noise Affecting
Mixed Residential and Industrial Areas.
10. British Standard (BS) 5228, 2009- Code of practice for noise and vibration control
on construction and open sites.
11. British Standard (BS) 7445, 2003 – Description and measurement of environmental
noise.

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