When will the construction noise be released? Read the legal hours at once
According to the regulations of the Environmental Protection Bureau of each local government, the noise control hours for residential and apartment buildings are:
- Weekdays (Monday to Friday):10 pm to 8 am the next day
Weekends and national holidays:12 noon to 2 p.m., 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next day
The Taipei City Construction Management and Engineering Office clearly stipulates that in residential and apartment buildings in various noise control zones in the city, no noise-generating decoration projects are allowed during the above hours.
What is the noise decibel standard?
Even if interior decoration is carried out during construction hours, it still needs to comply with the noise control standards set by each local government. For example, the third type of noise control zone is mainly residential:
- Daytime (8:00 am to 10:00 pm): The average decoration noise cannot exceed 72 decibels, and the maximum noise must not exceed 100 dB
- Night (10:00 pm to 8:00 am the next day): It must not exceed 50 dB
If these standards are exceeded, neighbors can report it according to law.
Additional specifications of the Apartment Building Management Regulations
In addition to the noise control law, Article 16 of the Apartment Building Management Regulations also stipulates that residents shall comply with the following matters in the apartment building in accordance with the law:
- Noise, vibration and other similar behaviors during statutory or agreed times
- Decoration The project should be carried out in accordance with the prescribed period and method
- No piles of debris or installation of fences, doors, etc. in stairwells, common corridors, etc.
Violators may be fined NT$40,000 to less than NT$200,000 in accordance with Article 49, and may be ordered to make improvements within a time limit.
Even if it does not exceed the standard, it may still be illegal?
According to Article 6 of the Noise Control Act and Article 72, Paragraph 3 of the Social Order Maintenance Act, even if the decoration does not exceed the noise decibel standard, as long as it actually affects the peace of life of neighboring households, the police agency can handle it in accordance with the law. Therefore, even if a builder claims to "comply with decibel standards," he may still be punished if it actually disturbs the peace of his neighbors.
What should be done before decoration? Neighbor notifications are very important
To avoid disputes, before renovation, you should:
- Inform your neighbors in advance:Inform the renovation period, time and contact information in writing or verbally at least one week in advance
- Report to the management committee:Obtain renovation permission and comply with community regulations
- Post announcements:Post renovation announcements on elevators or building notice boards
It is recommended to use the "Neighbor Notice" template, which includes: renovation address, construction period, construction time, contact number of the person in charge, apology and words of thanks.
How to deal with noise annoyance to neighbors?
The first stage: friendly communication
First communicate with the owner or person in charge of the decoration orally or by phone, explain the problems and request cooperation in adjusting the construction time. In most cases, neighbors are unaware that their renovations are causing trouble, and a friendly reminder can usually solve the problem.
Second stage: Complain to the management committee
If communication fails, you can appeal to the apartment building management committee, which will handle it in accordance with the community regulations. The management committee has the right to require non-compliant residents to make improvements and may impose fines if necessary.
The third stage: report to the competent authority
If the management committee fails to handle the matter or there is no management committee, you can report to the following units:
- Environmental Protection Bureau:Call the 1999 citizen hotline or the dedicated hotline of each county or city environmental protection bureau < li>Police Station:Call 110 and handle it in accordance with the Social Order Maintenance Law
Noise reporting process and evidence collection
Step 1: Record the facts of the violation
- Take construction photos or videos (including (Including time stamp)
- Record the construction date, time, and duration
- Use the decibel meter APP to record the noise decibel level (although it is informal evidence, it is for reference)
Step 2: Report to the competent authority
- Dial 19 99 or the reporting hotline of each county or city Environmental Protection Bureau
- Provide detailed address, violation time, and description of the violation
- Attach evidence photos or videos
Step 3: Cooperate with the inspection
Environmental Protection Bureau personnel will arrive at the scene for inspection, and if violations are confirmed, a ticket will be issued. According to the Noise Control Act, individual violations may be subject to a fine of NT$3,000 to NT$300,000.
Special circumstances: piling and foundation projects
Counties and cities have stricter regulations for construction projects that produce severe vibrations and dust. For example, Taipei City stipulates that "piling and pile foundation construction" can only be carried out from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and an application must be made to the competent authority in advance.
Self-restraint suggestions for renovation workers
If you are a renovation contractor, we recommend:
- Concentrate handling of high-noise projects: Arrange high-noise projects such as demolition and wall construction during the day on weekdays, and inform neighbors in advance
- Lunch break time suspension: Avoid high noise from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
- Use sound insulation measures: Close doors and windows, use soundproof blankets to reduce noise transmission
- Keep public areas clean: Clean up decoration waste in time to avoid affecting neighbor traffic
FAQ Q&A
Q: Can decoration be done on weekends?
A: Low-noise decoration can be carried out during the day on weekends (8 a.m. to 12 noon, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.), but high-noise projects should be avoided. It is recommended to negotiate with neighbors to choose a time period with the least impact.
Q: Can construction be carried out on national holidays?
A: On national holidays, construction is prohibited from 12 noon to 2 pm and from 10 pm to 8 am the next day. Some community regulations may be stricter, so it is recommended to confirm them in advance.
Q: How long will it take for the report to be processed?
A: After receiving the report, the Environmental Protection Bureau will usually send personnel to conduct an inspection within 3-7 working days. If it is an emergency (such as construction work late at night), you can call 110 to ask the police to attend the scene.
Conclusion: Harmonious neighborhood relations start with mutual respect
The issue of decoration noise is not only a legal norm, but also the art of getting along with neighbors. As a decorator, you should take the initiative to inform, control noise, and respect the rights and interests of neighbors; as an affected person, you should first communicate in a friendly manner, and then protect your rights in accordance with the law when necessary. Only mutual understanding and respect can create a harmonious living environment.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs' latest "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" and the key points of electricity safety in old houses
Due to the popularity of high-power household appliances (such as air fryers, microwave ovens, dishwashers, instantaneous electric water heaters, and IH furnaces) in recent years, the Energy Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs has revised the "Regulations on Consumer Electrical Equipment Installation" many times to strictly require the diversion and protection mechanisms of residential electricity circuits. Statistics show that more than 30% of building fires in Taiwan are caused by electrical factors, among which "old wire insulation deteriorates and short circuits", "socket contacts are oxidized and loose, poor contact" and "non-fuse switch (NFB) overloaded and failed to trip" are the three main fatal causes.
Old apartments in Shuangbei that are more than 30 years old have a total original designed power capacity of only 30A to 40A, and several rooms often share the same 1.6mm or 2.0mm circuit. In the modern standard safety configuration, kitchen electrical cabinets, bathroom equipment, and air-conditioning and heating machines must all be equipped with 5.5mm² dedicated circuits (single circuit and single socket). It is recommended that the main switch box be upgraded to a busbar (Busbar) integrated distribution board, and the total amperage is increased to 75A or 100A (a qualified electrical appliance contractor needs to be entrusted to Taipower to review the additional power capacity).
Residential electricity self-test and regular inspection checklist
- Appearance and temperature of the socket: Touch the outer cover of the commonly used socket lightly with the back of your hand. If it feels lukewarm or if you find that the plastic socket is yellowed and charred, or the plug is loose and shaking after being plugged in, it means that the internal copper plate clamping force is exhausted or the contact resistance is too high, and you should immediately cut off the power and replace it.
- Regular testing of leakage circuit breakers (ELCB): For leakage circuit breakers in humid places such as balconies, bathrooms, and kitchen sinks, regulations require that the "TEST button" on the switch be pressed once every 1 to 3 months to confirm that it can automatically trip and cut off the power supply instantly.
- Serial connection and overloading of extension cords are strictly prohibited: Extension cords should be purchased with 2.0mm thick wire diameter products that have CNS certification and automatic overload power-off protection. Do not share the same extension cord with high energy-consuming appliances to ensure zero hidden danger to life and property at home.
