SOUND INSULATION STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL FLATS

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry will consider developing a set of guidelines or standards which will ensure proper sound insulation between residential flats.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: While there are no standards at the moment, HDB has been adopting internal guidelines, which are similar to known standards such as those used in Australia, to ensure that there is proper noise insulation between flats. For each dwelling unit, the party wall and floor slabs are designed to comply with the structural and fire code. These solid masonry walls and slabs also have good sound insulation values.

This is sufficient to reduce normal noise levels acceptable under ENV's standards.

Mandatory standards are not without cost implications. I will nonetheless ask my officials to evaluate carefully with the Ministry of the Environment whether there is a case for such standards.