Noise control regulations in
South Africa are a combination of national legislation, like the Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations, and
local municipal bylaws, which typically set specific daytime and nighttime
noise limits for residential areas. For example, a local bylaw might set
limits at 55 dBA during the day (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM) and 45 dBA at night
(10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), though these exact levels and enforcement mechanisms can
vary by municipality.
A typical dog's bark can register between 80 to 100 decibels (dB), with some reaching even higher, including the world record of 113.1 dB for the loudest bark recorded.
To put this into perspective, normal conversation is around 60
dB, while exposure to 100 dB can cause hearing damage after just 15 minutes,
and prolonged exposure to barks over 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss
over time.
Decibel Levels of
Dog Barks
- Typical: Most dog
barks range from 80 to 100 dB.
- Loud: Some barks can exceed
100 dB, with the world record holder reaching 113.1 dB.
- Kennels: Noise levels in kennels can be even higher, sometimes reaching 95 to 115 dB.
Factors Affecting
Bark Loudness
- Distance:
The loudness of a
bark decreases significantly with distance; a 95 dB bark at 4 feet might
be only 72 dB at 50 feet away.
- Individual Dogs:
While some breeds
like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Beagles are known for loud barks,
individual dogs and their specific barks can vary greatly in volume.
Health &
Nuisance Implications
- Hearing Damage:
Even short
periods of exposure to barks at 100 dB can cause hearing damage. Long-term
exposure to barks above 85 dB can lead to permanent hearing loss for humans and
other pets.
- Distress:
The disruptive
and intense nature of barking at such high decibel levels can cause stress and
sleep loss for people and other animals.
A dog's sharp
whining can reach high decibel (dB) levels, but it's difficult to give a
precise number as it depends on the dog's breed, the intensity of the sound,
and distance from the source. While some sources mention average barks
ranging from 80-100 dB, a whimper or whine is generally a softer,
high-frequency sound, not typically as loud as a bark. However, even
moderate levels can be distressing for a dog, with some suggesting that 85 dB
may be too loud for them.
Factors influencing
whine decibel levels:
- Frequency:
Whines are
high-pitched, and while the decibel level depends on intensity, the high
frequency itself can be irritating for dogs.
- Distance:
The decibel level
decreases with distance. A whine from across a room will be quieter than
one directly next to your ear.
- Intensity:
A dog in extreme
distress or excitement may whine at a higher intensity, increasing the dB
level.
Why this matters:
- Human hearing damage:
Prolonged
exposure to sounds at or above 85 dB can cause hearing damage in humans.
- Dog welfare:
High-decibel
noise can cause stress and discomfort in dogs, potentially impacting their
sleep and overall welfare.
In summary, while a
precise figure isn't available for a sharp whine, it's a high-frequency sound
that, at high enough levels, can be harmful to both dogs and humans.
Key Aspects of Noise Control
Regulations
- National Level:
The Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Regulations set
workplace safety standards, prohibiting employers from allowing employees to be
exposed to noise levels at or above the 85 dBA noise-rating limit in a
workplace.
- Local Municipal Level:
This is where most everyday
noise complaints are addressed.
- Bylaws: Each
municipality creates its own noise bylaws and policies, which define
acceptable noise levels, times for specific activities, and penalties for
non-compliance.
- Noise Levels: Typical
residential limits might be around 55 dBA during the day and 45 dBA at
night, but you should always check your local municipal bylaw for the
exact figures.
- Enforcement:
If you have a noise complaint,
you need to refer to your local municipality's specific bylaws and contact them
for information on how to lodge a complaint and what to expect.
How to Find Your Specific
Regulations
- Identify Your Municipality: Determine which local
municipality you live in.
- Check Their Website: Visit the official
website of your municipality.
- Search
for "Noise Bylaws" or "Noise Policies": Look for sections on
environmental health, bylaw, or public safety for documents related to
noise control.
- Noise pollution - Acceptable
noise levels and noise limits in South Africa
Local Municipal Bylaws and Noise
Policies The bylaws or noise policy may possibly use the following noise levels
for a residential.
National and Provincial Regulations
As “noise” is
perceived differently by different people, there are legislative guidelines
that can be used in South Africa to assess whether a certain sound can be
defined as noise. This includes:
- The National Noise Control
Regulations (Government Notice Regulation (“GNR”) 154 as
published in Government Gazette 13717, dated January 1992)
– valid in Limpopo, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape (proposed regulations were
published under GN181/PG824/20011210) and KwaZulu Natal – where a
disturbing noise is the noise level where the zone sound level is
exceeded, or, if a zone sound level has not been designated, the level
that exceeds the ambient sound level with more than 7 dBA;
- Free State Noise Control
Regulations (Provincial Notice 24/Provincial Gazette 35 of 24
April 1998) – where a disturbing noise is the noise level
that exceeds the ambient sound level with more than 5 dBA;
- Gauteng Noise Control
Regulations (General Notice 5479/Provincial Gazette 75 of 20
August 1999) – where a disturbing noise is the noise level
that causes the ambient noise level to rise above the designated zone
level, or, if no zone level has been designated, the typical rating level
for ambient noise in districts as defined in Table 2 of SANS 10103:2008;
and
- Western Cape Noise Control
Regulations (Provincial Notice 200 of 20 June 2013)
– where a disturbing noise is the noise that (a) exceeds the rating level
with 7 dBA; (b) exceeds the residual noise level (the ambient sound level)
where the residual noise level is higher than the rating level; (c)
exceeds the residual noise level by 3 dBA where the residual noise level
is lower than the rating level; or (d) exceeds the level specified in
Annex B of SANS 10103 (in the case of a low-frequency noise).
Each of these regulations is relevant for proposed projects to be
developed within the various provincial areas, with the key points discussed in
separate posts. These regulations set the legislative background, allowing a
qualitative means of defining a “disturbing noise”, with the process of
defining a “disturbing noise” roughly by:
- The defining of the
acceptable sound levels (or a zone sound level or rating level): There are
two accepted procedures to define this, namely the measurement of ambient
sound levels using a sound level meter (considering the developmental
character), or obtaining a zone sound level as defined by SANS 10103:2008
(or as assigned by the Provincial, Metropolitan or local Municipality).
- The measurement of the noise
level using an accepted protocol (or the calculation of the potential
noise level if measurements are difficult) near the source of noise, or
near a receptor complaining about a potentially annoying or disturbing
noise;
- Using the correct noise
control regulation to assess the change in either ambient sound level, or
how an intruding noise influences the zone sound level.
Local Municipal
Bylaws and Noise Policies
When the local
municipality can comply with the relevant noise control regulations, they could
have their own noise control officers (or similar), their own bylaws and/or
noise policies. The approach is generally to define appropriate noise level
standards for various land uses. The bylaws or noise policy may possibly use
the following noise levels for a residential area:
- 55 dBA for the day-time
period (06h00 – 22h00); and
- 45 dBA for the night-time
period (22h00 – 06h00).
These noise “thresholds” may not be exceeded on a continuous basis for example in Gauteng province.
As an example: A
person may be hooting in the road in front of your residence, and, while it may
be very annoying and significantly higher than the “threshold”, the noise is
not continuous and may not violate the law. However, your neighbour may select
to play their music for a few hours (or operate a power generator) for a few
hours, activities that does violate the bylaw or policy.
Way forward
These criteria are used during the investigation of a noise complaint as well as for
a noise impact assessment. Any mistakes in
any of these steps could result in a project proceeding but:
- Potentially disturbing noise
is registered and expensive noise pollution control measures are required;
or
- Noise levels were over-calculated with the project developer unnecessarily implementing expensive noise pollution control measures.
Should you have any questions you are welcome to contact
EARES.
