4                NOISE MONITORING

Monitoring Requirements

4.1          In accordance with Updated EM&A Manual, construction noise monitoring was conducted in terms of the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq) to monitor the construction noise arising from the construction activities. The regular monitoring frequency for each monitoring station shall be on a weekly basis and conduct one set of measurements between 0700 and 1900 hours on normal weekdays. Appendix B shows the established Action and Limit Levels for the environmental monitoring works.

Monitoring Location

4.2          Impact noise monitoring was conducted at the monitoring stations, as shown in Figure 3 and 4 according to Table 1.1 of Updated EM&A Manual.  Table 4.1 describes the locations of the noise monitoring stations.

 

Table 4.1         Location of Noise Monitoring Stations

Contract No.

Monitoring Station(s)

Location(s)

ND/2019/06

CP-FLN-NMS1[2]

Belair Monte

ND/2019/05

CP-FLN-NMS2[3]

Scattered Village Houses in Tong Hang

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN-NMS2[4]

Residential Buildings at Ma Tso Lung

CP-KTN-NMS3[5]

Fung Kong Garden

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN-NMS5

N/A

ND/2019/02

CP-KTN-NMS6

Ho Sheung Heung, Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall, Hung Shing Temple & Pai Fung Temple and Sin Wai Nunnery

Remarks:

[1]: Noting that construction phase noise monitoring at the other proposed monitoring stations (e.g. planned), where access is permitted, will be conducted during the relevant works contract(s).

[2]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

[3]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

[4],[5]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-468/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

Monitoring Equipment

4.3          Integrating Sound Level Meter was used for impact noise monitoring. The meters are Type 1 sound level meter capable of giving a continuous readout of the noise level readings including equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq) and percentile sound pressure level (Lx) that also complied with International Electrotechnical Commission Publications 651:1979 (Type 1) and 804:1985 (Type 1) specifications. Table 4.2 summarizes the noise monitoring equipment being used. Copies of calibration certificates are attached in Appendix C.

 

 

Table 4.2         Noise Monitoring Equipment

Equipment

Manufacturer

Model

Quantity

Sound & Vibration Analyser

BSWA

BSWA 801

1

Sound Level Meter

BSWA

BSWA 308

2

Acoustical Calibrator

SVANTEK

SV30A

2

 

Monitoring Parameters, Frequency and Duration

4.4          Table 4.3 summarises the monitoring parameters, frequency and total duration of monitoring.  The noise monitoring schedule is shown in Appendix D.

 

Table 4.3     Noise Monitoring Parameters, Duration and Frequency

Contract No.

Monitoring Stations

Parameter

Duration

Frequency

Measurement

ND/2019/06

CP-FLN-NMS1

L10(30 min.) dB(A)

L90(30 min.) dB(A)

Leq(30 min.)dB(A)

(as six consecutive

Leq, 5min readings)

0700-1900 hrs on normal weekdays

Once per week

Façade

ND/2019/05

CP-FLN-NMS2[3]

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN NMS2[4]

Free-field[1]

CP-KTN NMS3[5]

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN NMS5

ND/2019/02

CP-KTN-NMS6

Façade

Remarks:

[1]: Correction of +3dB (A) for Free-field Measurement.

[2]: A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level (Leq). It is the constant noise level which, under a given situation and time period, contains the same acoustic energy as the actual time-varying noise level.

L10 is the level exceeded for 10% of the time. For 10% of the time, the sound or noise has a sound pressure level above L10.

L90 is the level exceeded for 90% of the time. For 90% of the time, the noise level is above this level.

[3]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

[4],[5]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-468/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

Monitoring Methodology and QA/QC Procedures

·          The microphone head of the sound level meter was positioned at 1m from the exterior of the noise sensitive I and lowered sufficiently so that the building’s external wall acted as a reflecting surface;

·          The battery condition was checked to ensure the correct functioning of the meter;

·          Parameters such as frequency weighting, the time weighting and the measurement time were set as follows:

—           frequency weighting              : A

—           time weighting                       : Fast

—           time measurement                  : Leq(30 min.) dB(A)

(as six consecutive Leq, 5min readings) during non-restricted hours (i.e. 0700-1900 hrs on normal weekdays)

 

·          Prior to and after each noise measurement, the meter was calibrated using a Calibrator for 94.0 dB at 1000 Hz. If the difference in the calibration level before and after measurement was more than 1.0 dB, the measurement would be considered invalid and repeat of noise measurement would be required after re- calibration or repair of the equipment;

·          During the monitoring period, the Leq, L90 and L10 were recorded. In addition, site conditions and noise sources were recorded on a standard record sheet;

·          Noise measurement was paused temporarily during periods of high intrusive noise (e.g. dog barking, helicopter noise) if possible and observation record during measurement period should be provided; and

·          Noise monitoring was cancelled in the presence of fog, rain, and wind with a steady speed exceeding 5 m/s, or wind with gusts exceeding 10 m/s. The wind speed should be checked with a portable wind speed meter capable of measuring the wind speed in m/s.

Maintenance and Calibration

 

4.5          The microphone head of the sound level meter and calibrator were cleaned with a soft cloth at quarterly intervals.

 

4.6          The sound level meter and calibrator were checked and calibrated at yearly intervals.

 

 

4.7          Immediately prior to and following each noise measurement, the accuracy of the sound level meter should be checked using an acoustic calibrator generating a known sound pressure level at a known frequency. Measurements would be accepted as valid only if the calibration levels before and after the noise measurement agreed to within 1.0 dB.

 

Results and Observations

 

4.8          The noise monitoring results are summarized in Table 4.4. Detailed monitoring results and graphical presentations of noise monitoring are shown in Appendix F. The weather information for the reporting month is summarized in Appendix I.

 

 

Table 4.4        Summary Table of Noise Monitoring Results during the Reporting Month

Contract No.

Monitoring Station

Noise Level

Leq (30 min), dB(A)

Baseline Level, dB(A)

Limit Level, dB(A)

ND/2019/06

CP-FLN-NMS1

66.3-73.5

69.9

75

ND/2019/05

CP-FLN-NMS2[1]

54.1-59.2

59.6

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN NMS2[2]

56.5-63.3

58.6

CP-KTN NMS3[3]

48.4-58.4

51.6

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN NMS5

49.5-59.1

57.2

ND/2019/02

CP-KTN-NMS6

55.7-62.8

55.1

           Remarks:

[1]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

[2],[3]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-468/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

4.9          All noise monitoring was conducted as scheduled in the reporting month. One Action Level exceedance for noise monitoring was recorded due to the documented noise complaints received for ND/2019/05 and no Limit Level exceedance was recorded in this reporting month. The summary of exceedance record in reporting month is shown in Appendix K.

 

4.10       According to our field observations, the major noise source identified at the designated noise monitoring stations in the reporting month are as follows:

 

Table 4.5         Observation at Noise Monitoring Stations

Contract No.

Monitoring Station

Location

Major Noise Source

ND/2019/06

CP-FLN-NMS1

Belair Monte (Existing)

Road Traffic at Ma Sik Road, excavator, other construction site

ND/2019/05

CP-FLN-NMS2[1]

Scattered Village House in Tong Hang (Existing)

Road Traffic near Tong Hang, other construction site

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN-NMS2[2]

Residential Buildings at Ma Tso Lung (Existing)

Road Traffic near Ma Tso Lung

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN-NMS3[3]

Fung Kong Garden (Existing)

Road Traffic near Fung Kong Garden

ND/2019/01

CP-KTN-NMS5

N/A

Traffic noise from railway, other construction site

ND/2019/02

CP-KTN-NMS6

Ho Sheung Heung, Hau Ku Shek Ancestral Hall, Hung Shing Temple & Pai Fung

Temple and Sin Wai Nunnery (Existing)

Road Traffic near Ho Sheung Heung, forklift

           Remarks:

[1]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-473/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

[2],[3]: Since the distance between monitoring station and site boundary of ND/2019/03 under EP-468/2013/A exceeds 300m. The monitoring station is not applicable to ND/2019/03.

 

Event and Action Plan

 

4.11       Should any project related non-compliance of the criteria occur, action in accordance with the Action Plan in Appendix J shall be carried out.