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Noise from upstairs neighbors has been a source of concern for many, with some even consulting the Municipal Construction Commission in hopes of a response from the government. Below is a fascinating dialogue between residents and government officials regarding the noise from the impact of noise from the floor slabs.
Conversation time: April 2016
Source of the dialogue: Chongqing Online Government Affairs Platform
Featured Q&A:
The public asked:
Respected leaders of the Municipal Construction Commission:
Hello!
Letter content: Regarding the interpretation of the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings"
Section 4.2.7 stipulates that the impact sound insulation standard for individual apartment floors should be <75dB. However, the note states that "when there are genuine difficulties, a minimum of 85dB may be allowed." Does this mean that a developer's delivery standard of 85dB is sufficient? How should the phrase "when there are genuine difficulties" be interpreted?
The Municipal Construction Commission responded:
Processing Unit: Municipal Urban and Rural Construction Commission
Processing result: Dear letter writer, Your letter has been received.
The following is a reply to your inquiry: Regarding your inquiry about the "Interpretation of the Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings," the Survey and Design Department directly contacted you by phone to provide an explanation:
1. Section 4.2.7 of the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings" stipulates that the impact sound insulation standard for floor slabs between units should be >75dB, but with the note: "When there are genuine difficulties, it is permissible to be less than or equal to 85dB..." The phrase "when there are genuine difficulties" can be understood as meaning that 85dB is the minimum acceptable value and cannot be lower than that. Therefore, if the developer's delivery standard reaches 85dB, it is considered the (minimum) qualified standard.
2. Because building sound insulation is greatly related to the quality of materials. As a load-bearing component, a floor slab of 100mm is usually sufficient, but the sound insulation standard is only around 82dB. Therefore, the regulations may have set a minimum value (85dB) from an economic and practical perspective.
3. Buildings usually require interior decoration after delivery, and the sound insulation of the floor slabs can easily meet the sound insulation standard of >75dB, which you understand.
This email was handled by the Survey and Design Division of the Municipal Urban and Rural Construction Commission.
Thank you for your concern and support for the urban and rural development work in Chongqing.
Published: 2016-04-16 10:17:53
The public asked again:
Please clarify the following regarding the above response:
I. The Code for Residential Building Construction was issued on November 30, 2005, and implemented on March 1, 2006; all provisions of this code are mandatory and must be strictly enforced.
Page 15 specifies in section 7.1.2 that the weighted standardized impact sound pressure level of the floor slab should not exceed 75 dB. Structural measures should be taken to improve the impact sound insulation performance of the floor slab.
Is this specification obsolete?
Second, if you have time, please take a look at the paper by Professor Yan Xiang of Tsinghua University in the Architectural Journal, entitled "The Issue of Sound Insulation Due to Floor Impact Should Be Given High Priority in Residential Design".
3. The floor slab is a shared building structure between the upper and lower floors. If the floor noise level is 85dB upon handover, please refer to the "Building Sound Insulation and Absorption Structure". If no sound insulation decoration is done, the normal practice of laying ceramic tiles cannot meet the requirement of <75dB. Should the sound insulation treatment be handled by the upper-floor resident or the lower-floor resident? Are there any relevant legal principles?
4. What are the difficulties mentioned in the "There are indeed difficulties" note in the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings"? If the relevant information has not been publicized or notified, we have reason to believe that the requirements are met; the 1988 code already had a level three standard of 75dB, so why is the requirement for newly built commercial housing being lowered to 85dB?
V. According to page 59 of the 2011 edition of the "Code for Sound Insulation Design of Civil Buildings," "Based on the actual situation and development trend of my country's economic and construction levels, as well as residents' feedback, and taking into account the different characteristics and supply principles of domestic commercial housing and affordable housing, this code retains the high and low requirements for floor impact sound insulation and the notes of the original code (GBJ118-88) for use in the design of residential buildings with different performance requirements." The high and low requirements represent the difference between the requirements for commercial housing and affordable housing. Should the commercial housing we buy be delivered according to the high requirement of less than or equal to 65dB?
The above problems affect countless households. Every night, people are awakened by noises from upstairs, suffering unspeakably. As the relevant authorities, please give the people a way to survive. Thank you!
The Municipal Construction Commission has not responded to the above questions. The following is the current progress of this matter.
Editor's Note:
Why is the problem of floor noise so difficult to solve? It probably can't be fixed in just a day or two.
Whether the soundproofing inspection process for buildings is rigorous and given sufficient attention is a policy that relevant government departments need to optimize.
Currently, officials only intervene when the people complain. If the problem worsens and the conflict becomes a social phenomenon, it will be too late. The early introduction of relevant policies is crucial to improving people's quality of life.