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1.
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Are there any noise standards for factory, construction and residential premises?
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The permissible noise levels for factory premises are listed under the Environmental Pollution Control (Boundary Noise Limits For Factory Premises) Regulations, 1999.
The permissible noise levels for construction premises are listed under the Environmental Pollution Control (Control of Noise at Construction Sites) Regulations, 1999.
The regulations were amended on 17 May 2001 to incorporate a new set of limits for noise levels at night from construction projects located near residential buildings. These new limits have come into force since 1 Oct 2001.
The permissible noise levels for residential premises are listed under the Miscellaneous Offences Act (Public Order and Nuisance) and Penal Code Public Entertainments Act (Chapter 257). In cases involving noise from residential premises, the police have powers to deal with noise as a breach of peace. However, NEA can also take action under the Environment Public Health Act, if the noise is deemed to constitute a public health nuisance.
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2.
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Where are the areas where smoking is disallowed?
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Smoking is prohibited in the following areas:-
Any amusement centre.
Any foodshop, except that the Director-General may designate for smoking, such part of the outdoor refreshment area of the food shop not exceeding 20% of the total floor area of that outdoor refreshment area.
Any air-conditioned hall, ballroom or function room (including any such premises located in a hotel) during such time when it is used for holding a meeting, conference, seminar, course or an exhibition or for the purpose of serving meals.
Any cinema or theatre.
Any enclosed premises of a bank to which members of the public have access for the purpose of carrying out banking transactions.
Any clinical laboratory, healthcare establishment, hospital, maternity home, medical clinic or nursing home.
Any indoor ice-skating rink, roller-skating rink or roller-discotheque.
Any indoor sports arena, bowling alley, billiard saloon, gymnasium or aerobic or fitness centre.
Any lift.
Any public library or any library in any institution of higher learning.
Any public museum or public art gallery.
Any air-conditioned office premises, except that the manager of such premises may designate for smoking, any enclosed room therein -
(a) which is independently ventilated; and
(b) which is not -
(i) required to be used by any person employed in such premises for the performance of the duties of his employment; or
(ii) a pantry or other common area to which persons employed in such premises have access.
Any air-conditioned factory.
Any enclosed or air-conditioned corridor, lobby, stairwell or other common area of -
(a) any building which wholly or principally consists of office premises; or
(b) such part of any building which consists wholly or principally of office premises.
Any enclosed or air-conditioned common area of any private residential premises or building.
The Supreme Court, the Subordinate Courts and Small Claims Tribunals.
Any air-conditioned area in the terminal buildings of Singapore Changi Airport, except that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore may designate for smoking, any enclosed room therein -
(a) which is independently ventilated; and
(b) which is not -
(i) required to be used by any person employed in such terminal buildings for the performance of the duties of his employment; or
(ii) a pantry or other common area to which persons employed in such terminal buildings have access.
Any air-conditioned shopping mall or complex, including any shop, atrium, corridor, lobby, stairwell or other area within the shopping mall or complex, but excluding any place or premises used as a discotheque, pub, bar, lounge or night club.
Any underground pedestrian walkway.
Any area occupied by a queue of 2 or more persons in a public place.
Any air-conditioned shop.
Any air-conditioned restaurant, bowling alley, billiard saloon, arcade games room (including jackpot machine room), gymnasium, fitness centre, library, reading room, theatre or cinema in any private club.
Any school, junior college, polytechnic or any training institute established under the Institute of Technical Education Act (Cap. 141A), including any area within its compound.
Any enclosed or air-conditioned part of any building, hall of residence, canteen, lecture theatre, sports and recreation centre or stairwell in any university.
Any public swimming pool, including any changing or shower room, or any area in the vicinity of such swimming pool which is likely to be frequented by any user of the swimming pool.
Any washroom (including any mobile toilet), whether managed privately or otherwise, to which members of the public or a section of the public have or ordinarily would have access whether on payment of a fee or otherwise.
Any sports stadium, including any facility, shop or common area within its compound.
Any community building, community centre or community club belonging to or managed or maintained by the People's Association, including any facility, shop or common area within its compound.
Any bus interchange, bus terminus (except a bus terminus which is situated along the side of a road and does not provide for boarding of or alighting by passengers) or bus shelter, including any facility, shop or common area within its compound.
Any hawker centre, except that the Director-General may designate for smoking -
(a) such part of the outdoor refreshment area of the hawker centre not exceeding 20% of the total outdoor seating capacity; or
(b) where the hawker centre does not have an outdoor refreshment area, such part of the indoor refreshment area of the hawker centre not exceeding 10% of the total indoor seating capacity.
Any discotheque, pub, bar, lounge or night club in any premises or building (including any private club), except that the Director-General may, subject to such conditions as he may specify, designate for smoking -
(a) such part of the outdoor refreshment area of the discotheque, pub, bar, lounge or night club not exceeding 20% of the total floor area of that outdoor refreshment area; and
(b) any enclosed and independently ventilated room not exceeding 10% of the total indoor refreshment area of the discotheque, pub, bar, lounge or night club.
Any omnibus.
Any private bus.
Any private hire bus.
Any school bus.
Any taxi.
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3.
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What are the hours allowed for construction work? Are there any controls on the noise nuisance created?
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Construction work at a site may proceed at any time of the day so long as the noise does not exceed the maximum noise levels permitted.
For a summary of the maximum noise levels permitted at construction sites, please see Appendix 1.
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4.
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Who should I call to give feedback on noise, smell and dust nuisance?
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Members of the public can call the NEA's Call Centre toll-free line at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) to give feedback on noise and smell nuisance (e.g. chemical, gas or others).
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5.
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Are people allowed to burn joss-papers and candles in public places?
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The public must clean up the place after they have made their offerings. When burning joss-papers, candles, etc. they should use containers. Residents in town council estates should make use of the burning pits and containers provided by the town councils.
To minimise problems when burning joss-papers, candles, etc., the Government introduced the following control measures on 1 March 1998:
Joss sticks shall not exceed 2 metres in length and 75 mm diameter. For large joss sticks up to 2 metres in length and 75 mm in diameter, no more than six may be burnt at any one time.
Candles shall not exceed 600 mm in length. For large candles up to 600 mm in length, no more than two may be burnt at any one time.
The burning of large joss sticks and candles shall not be within 30 metres from any building.
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