UAE authorities have rules to curb excessive noise

Construction work at Dubai Marina. Authorities say they have regulations in place to curb excessive noise from such sites. Razan Alzayani/Bloomberg

ABU DHABI // Municipalities have rules in place when it comes to noise pollution.

Dubai Municipality said that noise from any type of construction or demolition site should not exceed 55 decibels between 7am and 8pm and 45 decibels between 8pm and 7am.

The Environment Department imposed certain restrictions and conditions on working hours, methods of work and type of equipment in an attempt to ensure noise levels were kept at an acceptable level.

The permitted hours of work were 7am to 7pm Saturday to Thursday, with no such work ­allowed on Fridays.

Any noisy operations outside these hours cannot be undertaken without prior approval, which would be granted only ­in exceptional circumstances.

Abu Dhabi’s Environment Health and Safety Management System stated that any domestic activity resulting in excess noise that had an adverse impact on peace of a neighbourhood should be undertaken only between 7am and 8pm on working days, and between 9am and 7pm on weekends and public holidays.

There was no information on Abu Dhabi Municipality’s website on commercial noise and it did not respond to our request for comment.

The World Health Organisation guidelines for night noise recommend less than 40 decibels of average noise outside bedrooms to prevent adverse health effects.

Abu Dhabi authorities are also working to limit nuisance noise affecting residents.

Last month, Abu Dhabi Police announced the emirate’s roads would soon be equipped with ­radar systems that monitor vehicle noise levels. and excessive use of horns.

Dubai-based lawyer Faisal Alzarooni said the UAE Penal Code did not mention noise pollution.

“Instead, this matter is governed by each emirate’s municipality individually,” he said.

In Dubai, said Mr Alzarooni, the municipality states that “noise should not interfere with the peace, comfort and convenience of any person”, and it outlines the decibel range allowed for specific areas and times.

“It also states that complaints should be directed to the ­municipality’s noise control officer, who, if necessary, will visit the site and asses the complaint,” he said.

Mr Alzarooni warned that while noise pollution was not a crime, it could lead to other criminal charges.

“For instance, if the police ­respond to a noise complaint resulting from a private party, they may be suspicious of crimes being committed, such as drinking alcohol without a licence, or the promotion of sin,” he said.

In addition to Abu Dhabi ­Municipality, Ras Al Khaimah Municipality and Dubai Municipality did not respond to requests for comments about the number of noise complaints received in recent years.

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