Categories
Asia Noise News

People living 8 km away from a music festival complain about noise

The weekend’s S2O the city of Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival took place at the Central Harborfront.

Eight noise complaints about the weekend’s festival at the Central Harborfront have been reported to Hong Kong environmental authorities, and some residents in Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan, eight kilometers away, have complained about loud music disturbing them.

The S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival’s organizers announced on Wednesday that they had hired personnel to measure noise levels at various locations throughout the venue, and that they had “no serious exceedance” noted during the entire event.
A festival representative stated, “During the event, the measurements were reported to the Environmental Protection Department every hour.”

“During and after the event, the organizer maintained close communication with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the police.”

US singer Pauline Herr, Moldovan song producer Andrew Rayel, and South Korean DJ NewJeansNim were among the performers scheduled for the two-day festival on Saturday and Sunday.

DJ NewJeansNim was among the performers at the weekend. Photo: Facebook/S2O Hong Kong Songkran Music Festival

On social media, some residents of the communities across Victoria Harbour in Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan claimed to have felt vibrations from loud music on both nights.

Others claimed to have dizziness and ear pain.

“I can still hear the noise even though all the doors are closed,” a Facebook user stated over the weekend. This is absurd.

Another internet user claimed he had to take painkillers because the noise was so loud.

Some other people online questioned the range of sound waves and why the music was only audible to those living in Wong Tai Sin and not to those living throughout the Kowloon peninsula. There are 8 km in a straight line between Central and Wong Tai Sin.

According to the Environmental Protection Department, it kept in touch with the organizers of the various outdoor music events held on the Central Harborfront and “paid close attention to various outdoor music events.”

A representative stated, “The loudspeaker volume has to be adjusted if excessive noise is detected from an event.”

He said there was no noise disturbance discovered during inspections on Saturday and Sunday at the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade across the harbor and close to City Hall, respectively.

Although the department promised to investigate the complaints, it was unable to determine if the complainants were from Tsz Wan Shan and Wong Tai Sin.

The department verified that the festival organizer had submitted an application for a temporary license to operate as “places of public entertainment.”

The license requires that the event’s organizers keep an eye on noise levels in areas where people are sensitive to noise, modify the loudspeaker’s direction to avoid nearby residential buildings, and terminate the event before 11 p.m.

Police said they were unable to identify the source of multiple complaints they had received on Sunday night regarding music and noise disturbance.

Low-frequency noise, according to chartered mechanical engineer Lo Kok-keung, can travel eight kilometers. In addition, he mentioned that Wong Tai Sin and Tsz Wan Shan were higher up on the Kowloon peninsula than other areas.

 

References

www.scmp.com

Categories
Asia Noise News

Locals in Tampines complain that noisy chickens keep them awake at night.

The loud hens in a nearby park have been causing some Tampines residents to lose sleep.

According to two locals, the hens at Sun Plaza Park on Tampines Avenue 7 have been crowing early almost every day, keeping the residents’ sleep disturbed, as reported by Shin Min Daily News.

There are roughly eight blocks of HDB apartments near the park, according to a Google Maps search.

The Chinese daily was informed by a disgruntled resident, Chen, 38, that the issue began in December 2022 and that he hears the chickens crowing at around five in the morning.

“I grew up in the neighborhood, and this kind of issue never existed before. I think there are too many wild chickens being produced.”

Another resident, 70 years old, went by the surname Ji, saying the noise from the crowing of the chickens frequently wakes her up at 4.45 a.m. and keeps her awake.


“I’m having trouble sleeping, and it gets worse every day. My granddaughter has to go to school, so I usually get up at six in the morning,” she continued.

Upon visiting the park on Monday afternoon, May 27, a Shin Min reporter observed that numerous chickens were loudly crowing and flying up and down from the trees.

Chen reported that no one has been feeding the birds at the park, and they just appeared out of nowhere.

After voicing several complaints to the Tampines Town Council, he received an email confirming that the council was collaborating with NParks to securely relocate the chickens.

“I believe the authorities have taken action, including relocating the chickens, but it seems to have little effect,” he stated. “I hope the problem gets resolved without harming the chickens.”

AsiaOne has requested a statement from the Tampines Town Council.

Typical view in Tampines
For a long time, Tampines has been home to hens that are allowed to roam freely.

In 2018, the Straits Times reported that a number of locals had voiced concerns regarding the cacophonous clucking of chickens in the garden area situated on Blocks 266 and 267, Tampines Street 21. After that, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority collaborated with the Tampines Town Council to move a few hens.

As per a May 2023 report published by The Straits Times, NParks has received over 600 submissions regarding wild chickens until the time of publication. In 2021, there were 950 reports received by town councils, government agencies, and the Ministry of National Development—more than three times as many as in 2017.

According to The Straits Times, there have also been reports of free-ranging chickens outside of Tampines in places like Pasir Ris, Kembangan, and Bukit Merah.

 

References

www.asiaone.com

Categories
Asia Noise News Noise Technology

AI in Acoustics by Geonoise Asia

Geonoise Asia is ready for Artificial intelligence (AI integration into the field of acoustics to enhance various applications, from noise monitoring to sound quality assessment. Here are some key areas where we as Geonoise Asia use AI to make an impact in acoustics:

1. Noise Monitoring and Management

 Automated Noise Detection:AI algorithms can be used to detect and classify different types of noise in real-time. This is particularly useful in urban environments where continuous monitoring is needed to manage noise pollution.

– **Predictive Analytics:** Machine learning models can predict future noise levels based on historical data, helping city planners and engineers to implement effective noise control measures.

2. Sound Quality Assessment

 Speech Recognition: AI-driven speech recognition systems are used to analyze and transcribe audio data. These systems are becoming more accurate and are used in various applications, including virtual assistants and automated customer service.

 Audio Enhancement: AI algorithms can enhance audio quality by reducing background noise, echo, and other distortions. This is valuable in both consumer electronics and professional audio equipment.

3. Acoustic Material Design

 Optimization of Acoustic Materials:AI can assist in designing and optimizing materials for better acoustic performance. By simulating different materials and structures, AI helps identify the best configurations for sound absorption and insulation.

4. Environmental Acoustics

 Wildlife Monitoring: AI is used to monitor and analyze the sounds of wildlife, helping researchers understand animal behavior and track species. This is particularly useful in remote or difficult-to-access environments.

 Acoustic Remote Sensing: AI helps in processing large amounts of acoustic data collected from remote sensing equipment to map and monitor environmental changes.

5. Architectural Acoustics

 Room Acoustic Modeling: AI can be used to predict and optimize the acoustic properties of spaces, such as concert halls, lecture theaters, and recording studios. AI-driven simulations help in designing spaces with optimal sound quality.

 Sound Localization: AI algorithms can enhance the localization of sound sources within a space, improving sound system designs and hearing aids.

6. Product Development and Testing

 Automated Testing: AI can automate the testing of acoustic devices, such as microphones, speakers, and hearing aids, ensuring consistent quality and performance.

 Feature Extraction: Machine learning models can extract important features from audio signals, such as pitch, loudness, and timbre, aiding in the development of better audio products.

7. Machine Listening and Sound Classification

 Environmental Sound Classification: AI systems can classify a wide range of environmental sounds, from traffic noise to natural sounds, enabling various applications in urban planning, security, and wildlife conservation.

 Music Information Retrieval: AI is used to analyze and retrieve information from music recordings, such as genre classification, beat tracking, and mood detection.

Tools and Technologies

 Deep Learning: Deep neural networks, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs), are widely used for tasks such as sound classification and audio enhancement.

 Natural Language Processing (NLP): For applications involving speech recognition and transcription, NLP techniques are essential for processing and understanding spoken language.

 Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Combining AI with DSP techniques allows for more sophisticated analysis and manipulation of audio signals.

Case Studies

Sonar Systems: AI enhances sonar systems used in underwater acoustics, improving object detection and classification in marine environments.

 Hearing Aids: AI-powered hearing aids can adapt to different acoustic environments in real-time, providing users with clearer sound.

Integrating AI into acoustics opens new possibilities for innovation and efficiency in sound-related fields, making it an exciting area of research and development.

Reach out to us for more exciting news.

Geonoise Asia.

Michel Rosmolen

Direct

Categories
Noise and Vibration Product News

Noise mapping is now made easy

When designing a building, architects have a lot to consider, such as understanding the client’s brief, budget considerations, ensuring building regulations are met, safety and environmental requirements, creating new building designs, drawing up detailed plans, and working closely with other contractors involved. 

There is, however, one invisible factor that is sometimes overlooked – and that’s noise. The noise levels from, and within, a building can strongly influence whether it is judged as a success or failure. Taking steps to mitigate excessive noise brings many benefits to the environment, the economy, and the health of a building’s users and the local community.

A survey conducted by Earth5R in January 2023 by 45 volunteers from 15 Indian cities investigated noise pollution and found that noise levels were nearly 50 per cent higher than the permissible limit of 50 dBin ‘silent’ and residential areas.

Making the invisible, visible

Although noise is invisible, by using simulation software, it is possible to create a noise map. These are very visual demonstrations of where it comes from and how it propagates. The charts are color-coded so can be understood easily. This can be useful, especially when dealing with the local community or non-building professionals involved in the project. Mapping software can also break down different noise components rather than just giving an overall figure as a measurement does. With this approach, mitigation can be targeted in the most cost-efficient way.

Uncomplicating the process

If one only has an occasional requirement to undertake a project to assess noise, then mapping the noise using specialist software does not need to be complicated. Perhaps requires a one-off survey for an industrial plant, development plan, or transport infrastructure or one may need to predict the noise emissions from sound systems at an open-air event, to give a graphical overview of the expected noise during the planning of the stage setup. That’s why the developed SoundPLAN essential, software is designed to provide reliable tabular and graphical results for a standard noise calculation with the investment of minimal time. What to consider when choosing software:

  • Clear documentation is just as important for one-off or occasional noise projects as it is for more comprehensive noise mapping. Check that the software provides informative, standardized tables and clear graphical outputs so that one can present and document the noise map calculation results professionally and clearly in no time at all.
  • Does the software enable one to map different types of noise emissions from roads, railways, and industry sources effortlessly? For example, for industrial noise, is there a convenient level calculator whereby machine operating times and the emission of moving sound sources can be taken into account very easily?
  • Check the software is always up to date with the latest noise standards for road, rail, industry, events, parking lots, and for noise from outside sources that can affect people within a building.
  • Make sure it contains a large number of noise emissions data within its library, including emission of moving sound sources, to simplify noise reporting, whilst also giving one the flexibility to add their own data at any time. The information can come from manufacturers’ specifications, software libraries, and many other sources.
  • Choose software that enables to import and adjust geometry data. It should enable one to transfer background maps from Google Maps and Open Street Map so that one can use these as a basis for terrain models and work on projects efficiently.
  • Does the software include a ‘Building Acoustics-Outside‘ module? This is a very helpful tool when it comes to noise remediation or protective measures against external noise when planning buildings. It can be used to prove the acoustic properties of a room against unwanted outdoor noise. Software should conform to the updated standard EN ISO 12354-3:2017, relating to the estimation of the acoustic performance of buildings. The software should include optimization for any number of facades and components, as well as the use of a library of supplied sound insulation options.
  • If the requirements are changing and one needs more than occasional standard noise mapping, can they easily be upgraded to a more comprehensive noise mapping package, like SoundPLAN noise?
Categories
Asia Noise News

When the second runway at Hong Kong International Airport opened, there were complaints about aircraft noise. – from the SCMP archive

Yesterday saw the opening of Chek Lap Kok’s second runway, amidst threats of protests from Tsuen Wan locals who say they were not informed about the nearly 80 decibel aircraft noise.


Albert Chan Wai-yip, a member of the Tsuen Wan District Board and convenor of the Aircraft Noise Concern Committee, stated that over 150,000 people, or half of the city’s population, live beneath the second runway’s flight paths.

The District Board estimates that aircraft noise from Chek Lap Kok may affect one million people.

However, Alex Au Kang-yuen, acting director of the Civil Aviation Department, claimed the number was “exaggerated.”

The Aircraft Noise Concern Committee reports that following yesterday’s runway opening, noise levels at Allway Gardens and Belvedere Garden were 78 and 77 decibels, respectively.

Yesterday’s readings from the Civil Aviation Department varied from 60 to 66 dB.

Anything above 85 to 90 dB can temporarily impair hearing, which is the safe noise limit.

On May 26, 1999, a Xiamen Airlines aircraft touches down on the Hong Kong International Airport's new north runway. Image: SCMP

There are currently up to 37 flights per hour, seven days a week, taking place at a maximum of 1,000 meters from some heavily populated areas.

Each runway will be able to accommodate up to 40 aircraft per hour by the end of October, according to a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department.

According to Mr Chan, unrest may result from the disruption of the way of life in the New Territories.

“People can do incredibly unreasonable and crazy things when the economy turns sour and emotions are unstable,” the speaker said.

Depending on the direction of the wind, the group wants aircraft to change their route.

Mr. Chan stated that petitions would soon be submitted to the Civil Aviation Department.

Chen Ying-sung, 71, an Allway Gardens resident, said the police were underreporting noise levels.

He measured the noise pollution on his building’s roof with Mr. Chan yesterday, and the results showed that it reached 78 decibels.

Mr. Chan remarked, “I can’t hear the television when it’s the loudest.” “I’m concerned about the situation once flights [on the second runway] start operating nonstop in August.”

At a press conference on May 27, 1999, Simon Li Tin-chui of the Civil Aviation Department talks about the aircraft noise produced by the two runways at Hong Kong airport. Image: SCMP

According to a spokeswoman, the Civil Aviation Department has met with Tsuen Wan and 12 other district boards on multiple occasions. She stated that residents would not receive any compensation.

The Advisory Council on the Environment’s chairman, Peter Wong Hong-yuen, announced that the group would ask to be briefed with the Civil Aviation Department and the Airport Authority.

“The proposed flight path needs to be examined; even a one-mile difference can have significant effects,” he stated.

At 10.30 a.m. on Dragonair flight KA807 from Shanghai, the first passenger aircraft to land on the new northern runway was made.

References

scmp.com

Categories
Asia Noise News

Loud and inappropriate noise The Uttarakhand government forbids filming reels and videos at Char Dham

The Char Dham shrines are 50 meters or less from the Uttarakhand government’s ban on filming reels and videos.
This is a long overdue decision because the video producers engage in behavior that might be deemed improper for a place of sanctity in addition to obstructing pilgrims’ paths and causing delays in line.

Chief Secretary Radha Raturi of the state stated, “Some people record videos, create reels, sing, play music, and do other things that hurt other people’s religious feelings. Having a cell phone and making calls with it is not forbidden. However, it is forbidden to play loud music, create reels, or cause any other disturbance on the temple grounds.

When a 60-quintal “Om” figure was erected at Kedarnath Dham in 2023, there were protests. Since then, it has become a location for selfies. Many people think that the attention on these things ruins the quiet reflection and devotional feelings associated with visits to sacred sites.

In a review meeting, the state’s chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, also urged all VIPs to postpone their yatra beyond May 21 due to the influx of pilgrims.

Furthermore, letters warning against unregistered yatris attending the yatra due to chaos have been sent to all states. Only online registration is available, and the government has asked that those who have registered arrive in Dham by the deadline. Before the yatra, health examinations are required, and people with co-morbidities, like heart conditions, are asked to disclose this information.

The increasing practice of creating reels—at times in awkward positions, using loud voices, etc.—has raised concerns at other houses of worship as well. For example, there have been numerous incidents of locals in Ayodhya beating up people who are bathing in the Sarayu, at the ghats, and creating reels to songs that are offensive. “There should be respect for the religious and spiritual sanctity of holy places,” stated Mahant Raju Das.There are plenty of other places to visit if your only goal in visiting is to view the pictures, videos, and social media posts. There are about thirteen locations for selfie sticks in Ayodhya, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was notably pictured at Lata Mangeshkar Chowk snapping a picture of himself using a phone on a selfie stick.

On May 10, the Char Dham yatra was declared open. Over 3.3 lakh people had visited the shrines as of Thursday.

References

www.theweek.in

Categories
Noise Disturbance

Tenant in Yishun Industrial Complex accuses neighbor of hammering a lorry and obstructing the fire escape route, causing a standoff.

A man going by the name Wang has reportedly been bothered for the last two months by his neighbor, who was playing loud music.

Wang, who operates a storage company on the third floor of the YS-One industrial building in Yishun, claimed to Lianhe Zaobao that both he and his clients were disturbed by the noise coming from his neighbor, an event company.

He claims that for the previous three years, the event company has been dumping its products along the shared driveway. Additionally, they pile their belongings in the shared space, obstructing the path to the fire extinguisher and the fire escape.

Every time I use the driveway, I have to tell them to move their truck, which is really annoying.

We also offer eyelash extension products, but customers are unable to enter my business due to a lorry that is blocking the entrance. It has an impact on my business,” Wang remarked.

On January 31, a fight broke out between Wang and his neighbor over the latter’s unloading of items and obstruction of the path, which further infuriated the tenants. They called the police to ask for help.

Wang said that ever since, his neighbor has been blasting loud music through speakers facing his apartment.

Wang said that nothing had changed despite his repeated complaints to the police and building management.

Neighbour used hammers to hit his lorry
Neighbour used hammers to hit his lorry

In addition to the noise, Wang told Zaobao that on April 8, one of the event company’s employees struck his truck with two hammers.

A man was seen wandering the parking lot with two hammers in his hands while wearing a green T-shirt on CCTV footage. In addition, the man was observed beating on the iron railings close to Wang’s apartment with the hammers, seemingly in an attempt to scare the residents.

Wang called the police again, this time feeling scared by the man’s behavior.

“As far as I’m aware, my employees asked him to quiet down, but he responded that since this is an industrial building and not a residential neighborhood, noise is acceptable.

“When the police came, he went back into his unit and refused to respond.”

An employee of the event company with the last name Lin claimed in an interview that her coworkers were in the habit of listening to music while at work.


However, the 58-year-old claimed that there was never any intention of causing a commotion.

Lin didn’t think Wang would be affected by the music because the industrial building was already noisy.

“We don’t want to create trouble, making money is more important,” she stated.

Lin stated that the items in the common area are only left outside when taking stock.

“We don’t leave the items there for long, we’ve been careful since the authorities warned us.”

In response to Zaobao’s inquiries, a JTC Corporation representative stated that they had heard from a renter regarding noise disruption and unapproved item storage within the building.

According to the spokesperson, tenants have been reminded to keep their noise levels down and stay within the National Environment Agency’s allowed bounds.

To guarantee a secure working environment for all tenants, they further stated that they are collaborating with the Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF).

The SCDF notified Zaobao that they had received a report of an unauthorized item storage in the YS-One building’s common area, which constituted a fire safety violation.

They are trying to get the tenant to fix the problem by working with JTC Corporation.

Categories
Building Accoustics Environment Home Noise Technology

Use technology to mitigate disruptive noise

Singapore, a city-state renowned for its densely populated residential high-rises, consistently struggles with noise pollution.

Noise complaints increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic; in 2021, the Housing Board received as many as 3,200 complaints per month, which was a marked increase over pre-pandemic levels.

The government has urged locals to address noise complaints with their neighbors directly or with the assistance of community leaders. If that doesn’t work, there is always mediation and, as a last resort, legal action. But given the volume of complaints, we ought to reconsider how we handle noise-related problems.

More forceful responses to severe noise-related conflicts include the creation of a specialized enforcement unit with the authority to look into complaints, the installation of noise sensors with permission, and the issuance of abatement orders. Although these are positive steps, given the number of cases and the current manpower shortage, will these initiatives be sufficient?

A comprehensive approach that makes use of technology ought to include defining precise noise guidelines, enforcing them, and requiring soundproofing in all upcoming building projects.

Furthermore, it might be worthwhile to think about creating simple-to-install “self-help” Internet of Things-enabled noise sensor kits for ongoing monitoring to assist impacted citizens.

People who are easily startled by loud noises may be more willing to pay the price.

Furthermore, giving residents more authority communicates to the neighborhood that proactive noise control measures are expected.

These developments could lead to a significant decrease in the need for court cases and mediation, improve community harmony, and establish Singapore as a world leader in intelligent, sustainable urban planning.

Categories
Noise-th

A few observations regarding Bangkok traffic

While it may look very similar, Bangkok’s transportation management is worlds apart. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

We recently traveled to Thailand, where we had the opportunity to witness firsthand the traffic in and around Bangkok, the country’s capital. We discovered some intriguing similarities and differences with Metro Manila.

Quite busy but polite. Although Bangkok’s traffic can be congested, particularly during rush hour, there aren’t many parallels between this city and Metro Manila beyond that.

Behind the wheel, people seem to be much more polite and relaxed here. There are plenty of spaces in the traffic, even during peak hours, unlike in Metro Manila, where it would be impossible to squeeze a single peso coin between the car in front and the one behind it.

Better lane discipline, observance of traffic laws, and a pleasantly conspicuous absence of human enforcers at every intersection are all present. Though far superior to our own city, it’s far from perfect. I sincerely don’t know why there seem to be so many hotheads in the Philippines on the road, and I wish Metro Manila was like this.

With strict noise regulations, straight-piped motorcycles and jeepneys could be a thing of the past. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

Sounds? What sound? Bangkok has remarkably quiet roads for a busy Asian megacity. There aren’t any jeepneys with exhausts shaped like Jericho trumpets, no buses making a loud announcement of their arrival, and very few people honking their horns.

Bangkok’s roads have a soundtrack that is positively serene in comparison to Metro Manila’s insane cacophony. This is so quiet that you could put it on a CD and market it as a meditation track. LGUs in the Philippines, listen up!

Chinese EVs seem to be popular in Bangkok. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

EV usage is growing. Advertisements for electric vehicles can be found everywhere you look. Thailand is currently being heavily targeted by mostly Chinese brands. Though they aren’t very common yet, EVs are still visible on the road.

It appears that BYD is well-represented here. Even though it’s just as hot and muggy as it is at home, the air feels much cleaner here. That is most likely due to both functional and appropriately enforced vehicle emission regulations as well as EVs.

Finally, a country that actually uses pickups as intended instead of as an extension of one's ego. PHOTOS BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

They play pickup like pros. You’ll see a lot of these cars on our roads as well. But Thai drivers are in a different league than Filipinos when it comes to pickup trucks.

It’s amazing how people here make the most out of these vehicles by putting enormous cargo bays on the back of these dependable cars. With a Hilux, who needs a heavy-duty truck?

This is one thing that we can look forward to—if the subway is built properly. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

An excellent subway has a profound impact. Bangkok traffic is still a problem; rush hour there can resemble our shores’ never-ending metal avalanche. However, you can at least take the subway in the capital of Thailand to get away from it.

It’s a cheap, clean, modern subway. Additionally, data coverage and a full mobile signal are included. I am eagerly awaiting the launch of Metro Manila’s underground train in the coming years, and I sincerely hope that the designers will learn from and incorporate the best features from other metro systems across the world.

Overground adjustments will also be needed for Metro Manila. As I discovered in Bangkok and numerous other cities, a subway is only completely functional if people can walk to it with ease. Sadly, sidewalks are frequently overlooked in the Philippines; hopefully, this project will address this.

It may be more tourist-oriented, but boats are still additional forms of transportation. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

Among them are boats. Even though the majority of the boats speeding up and down Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River are packed with tourists, they nevertheless contribute significantly to the city’s transportation system. One that would be simple to greatly expand throughout Metro Manila.

By now, anything that gets people off the road and out of cars has to be good, and for both commuters and tourists, a breezy ferry ride up and down the Pasig River might be just the thing.

The Philippines could learn so much from Bangkok. PHOTO BY FRANK SCHUENGEL

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to be very popular. Thankfully, Metro Manila is now moving in the right direction and adding more and more bike lanes. However, it appears that there aren’t many two-wheelers driven by people in Bangkok, and there aren’t many designated bike lanes. Perhaps there is less of a need to move around by using physical strength because the metro system is so expansive and contemporary.

In summary, Bangkok evokes visions of the metropolis that Metro Manila might become if it were to finally get its act together.

References
visor.ph

Categories
Asia Noise News Environment Home

Drilling holes in the wall, tapping the floor, or pulling furniture at night for ten years

SINGAPORE: A resident has had enough of her noisy upstairs neighbor of ten years and has taken to social media to seek guidance from other Singaporeans.

The internet user stated on Monday, February 26, that for ten years, “literally every single day, either they are drilling the wall for more than thirty minutes (don’t know drill what also) or knocking the floor with a walking stick and dragging furniture at night.”

Although it’s manageable, there are moments when it becomes unbearably loud.

I went upstairs one night to confront them, and when they didn’t answer the door, they kept knocking on the floor with what sounded like an old-fashioned metal hollow walking stick. That’s how I knew it was a walking stick.

Every time it gets really loud at night, I also call the police, but the noises only stop for a few days before they start knocking and dragging again.

After knocking and getting no response, I’m at a loss for what further action to take. Because my estate is close to IMH, the only conclusion I can think of is that the person may be a patient there.

I’m not sure what I should or can do with that knowledge. Is there anyone who can offer advice on what to do? Asking, “Legal or not-so-legal ideas accepted,” the writer continued.


Remarkably, the post inspired a few more people to share their own tales of “nuisance neighbors.” Numerous people related their personal experiences of coping with neighbors of this type.

Some agreed that a confrontation was necessary, while others went so far as to involve the authorities by calling them. Some countered that these actions didn’t offer long-term fixes.

One resident who had experienced noisy neighbors firsthand wrote, “I feel you.”

“My neighbors next door have noisy kids upstairs as well as persistent floor knocking.” It is possible that they have a platform in their room because every time they run, jump, or walk on it, a hollow sound is heard.

Not something I could handle once at midnight. went up and reprimanded them angrily. The 15-year-old boy denied knocking; when his mother arrived at the door, I reprimanded her as well.

Since then, there has been some but not much less noise. I had previously provided HDB with feedback, but it was also ineffective.

Another said, “We left notes for this specific household.”

“I spoke with them directly and gave them my contact information to let them know when it became too loud.” It was effective for a while, but then it got worse.To cut a long tale short, we made several calls to HDB, the town council, and the police.

When we got our neighbors together, we noticed that they were all growing irritated and they also reported this family. Then we repeated the process, reiterating our earlier reports (i.e., telling HDB that everyone had called the police several times and that this was the last straw).

The next day, I got a call from HDB, who sounded like an intern reading from a script and didn’t know how to assist. However, we never had any problems (with) this family again after that day.

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