How the noise of cities affects us Sound engineer - about how we go crazy from the sounds of the metropolis

Neighbor's air conditioner interferes with sleep, what should I do?

Air conditioning in an apartment building causes a lot of inconvenience to neighbors during the hot season.
As you know, windows are almost always open and the noise this equipment makes greatly disturbs night sleep. If its noise at night exceeds 60 dB, you should contact the housing inspection. The municipal commission must consider the appeal and determine the existence of an administrative violation, based on regulations at the regional level.

There is no need to respond to noisy neighbors in kind and, out of spite, play loud music, plow through walls and shout, and even more so use physical force. Such methods will place you among the ranks of offenders, which entails some responsibility.

Where to complain about violators

The fastest and easiest way in this situation is to call the local police officer. It is he who has the right to suppress illegal actions of neighbors. The situation becomes more complicated when a complaint needs to be filed against a legal entity that has located a store in an apartment building or in a situation where noise has caused harm to health.

In these cases, all issues will be resolved exclusively in court. To do this, the victim must write a statement of claim and submit it at the defendant’s place of residence. During the court hearing, it will be revealed whether a violation occurred, whether actual harm to health was caused, etc.

Noise as an irritant and its effect on people

Scientists have proven that noise poses a health hazard. It causes a number of different diseases such as hearing loss, deafness, people begin to suffer from insomnia, as well as cardiovascular disorders, all of which are a consequence of the effects of noise on the body. To test vibration, you can contact our EcoTestExpress laboratory.

Under the constant influence of noise, the pulse and breathing may increase, and the psyche may be disturbed. Scientists have also proven that a person’s exposure to noise causes his aggressiveness. A person cannot get used to noise; it also reduces efficiency and productivity. Recent studies have shown that greater sound intensity can also cause various pain sensations. Therefore, when coming home, each of us just wants to be in silence, without being distracted by annoying sounds.

Measuring the noise level in an apartment

The most common problem for large apartment buildings is noisy neighborhoods, which can cause great inconvenience.

And what is important is that knowledge is needed specifically to solve the problem in accordance with the law. Therefore, below we will deal with this issue

One of these provisions is that your neighbors can make noise in the apartment from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. In this case, the noise should not exceed 40 decibels. And this figure can be easily determined using a special device.

As for the night time, noise in a residential area should be limited to 30 decibels. But again, it’s worth initially clarifying this issue with the local administration.

How much noise can you make in your apartment and what should you do if your upstairs neighbors disturb your peace?

It’s good if people living in adjacent apartments follow the rules of behavior and try not to disturb their neighbors too much, but if lovers of noisy celebrations and loud music live nearby... Dear readers! The article talks about typical ways to resolve legal issues, but each case is individual.

If you want to find out how to solve your particular problem, contact a consultant: Based on the simplest technical principles, then noise from neighboring apartments, both above and below, should not disturb the peace at night, that is, from 11 p.m. and until 7 a.m. During the day, neighbors have the right to behave as they please, including making noise, practically legally, so there is nothing to do here, you will have to put up with it or try to come to an agreement with them in personal contact. Officials can be fined in the range of 10-20 thousand rubles.

What is the essence of the study?

Noise examination is a procedure in which the physical characteristics of sound waves on a specific object are established, and the admissibility of their impact on a specific subject is checked.

In other words, ES is a study that allows you to determine whether the sound background in a room or the noise from a device is within the established norm.

Based on the definition, noise research is divided into the following subgroups:

1. Examination of background noise in the room. In this case, measurements of the level of sound vibrations are made over the entire area of ​​the room. Most often, this type of research is used when analyzing workplaces to check compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards.
2. Examination of noise from a specific device. In this case, the sounds produced by this or that equipment in working condition are studied, and extraneous noise in the room is not taken into account.

During the examination, a special device with a logarithmic scale is used to measure the noise level in decibels (dB), which determines the effect of sound waves on human perception.

The increased value of sound vibrations leads not only to a deterioration in human well-being, but also to serious chronic diseases of the central nervous system. The following symptoms indicate this:

• insomnia;
• increased fatigue and weakness;
• decreased auditory perception;
• persistent stress state;
• mental state disorders.

If noise affects the human body for a long time or exceeds 140 dB, this leads to damage to the eardrum, which threatens hearing loss.

Therefore, it is extremely important to promptly detect and eliminate such negative factors.

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the following organizations have the right to measure sound vibrations and noise impact:

1. Forensic expert institutions - by decision of courts in the framework of civil or arbitration proceedings, when it comes to violations of sanitary standards in residential and industrial premises.
2. Authorized services of Rospotrebnadzor and private companies that have passed the appropriate accreditation for the right to carry out measurements.
3. Non-state design institutions authorized to conduct environmental assessments, including noise assessments, at construction sites.

Any interested person can order an independent noise measurement examination by contacting a public or private organization. As practice shows, expert institutions most often receive applications for such research from residents of apartment buildings, employees and employers.

During the study, the expert must answer the following questions:

1. Does the noise level in residential (public) premises meet the requirements of technical standards?
2. What is the source of increased noise in residential (public) premises?
3. How does noise affect people's health and so on.

The objects of study that may be subject to noise impact analysis are:

• residential, commercial office and industrial buildings;
• interiors of passenger cars and trucks;
• public transport salons;
• workplaces.

At such facilities, individual devices may also be subject to examination, including computers, household appliances, transport engines, equipment in workshops, etc.

Permissible noise standards by law

The list of sanitary standards contains separate items regarding the permitted noise level. According to it, it is prohibited to exceed noise levels by more than 40 decibels during the day, and by 30 at night.

In regions, the rules may differ slightly, but for the most part everyone is subject to the same laws. You cannot make noise after 22:00 and before 07:00 (or until 09:00).

The noise of the music

It is important that the noise from music does not exceed 30 decibels - not only at night, but also during the day. On holidays, when you want to play your favorite songs at full volume, it is also prohibited to exceed this norm.

If the rule is followed, then listening to music is allowed all night long.

Repair work

The noise of neighbors' renovations causes many times more discomfort than the sounds of music or TV. A set of rules regarding repairs has been created. In simple terms, they boil down to the following:

• The duration of repairs without interruption should not exceed 6 hours. During this time, you must take at least 1 break, no less than 60 minutes;
• Construction work is prohibited from starting before 09:00, and must be completed before 22:00;
• any work accompanied by noise is prohibited both on official holidays and on weekends;
• without special permission from the authorities, construction work cannot be carried out for more than 3 months in a row;
• tools that create noise of more than 40 decibels are prohibited for use.

Before carrying out repairs, ideally you just need to calmly talk with your neighbors and explain how long the process will take. A simple human conversation can save you from many grievances and disputes.

Noise level measurement

Words alone are not enough to accuse your neighbors of being too loud. Modern instruments help determine noise levels.

Professional sound level meter

Simple budget sound level meters, which cost about 3,000 rubles, show very inaccurate data that cannot be relied upon when studying noise. Real professional instruments cost many times more, and for the sake of one measurement there is simply no point in buying them.

Still, if there is such a sound level meter, then it is important to remember that if it shows 0, this does not mean silence. The number 0 means that it does not perceive this range - for example, the noise level for the device is prohibitive, and it will show the zero mark

Programs and applications for noise measurement

To take measurements, you will need a program or application, as well as a high-quality microphone. You can connect a purchased microphone to a desktop computer. Smartphones and laptops have it built-in.

There is a convenient Smart Tools application for smartphones. The only thing to consider is that smartphones have lower quality microphones, which usually reduces the accuracy of sound measurements by about 5 decibels.

A few more programs:

• for Windows: Decibel Meter Pro;
• for Android >

Call a specialist

If you violate the rules, you can contact the Housing Office

It is important to understand that neighbors are not obligated to open the door for them, and may refuse to talk. And the employees themselves have the right only to issue a warning

Contacting the police and prosecutor's office is another option to influence noisy neighbors, however, these law enforcement agencies are also only able to issue a warning and record the call.

Contact Rospotrebnadzor

To measure noise, it is best to contact Rospotrebnadzor. After the procedure, this organization will give you a document that will be a powerful argument during the trial.

To send an employee, you need to write an application. The examination is carried out at a time when neighbors like to make noise.

When Rospotrebnadzor refuses to provide an examination, you should turn to independent experts. The main thing is to check the documents and license for the right to engage in this activity. Otherwise, the statement will not be valid during the trial.

How to correctly measure noise in an apartment from neighbors and who should do it

You can measure the noise in an apartment yourself, but such measurements are unlikely to become the basis for bringing the perpetrators to justice. In order for measurements to have a legally correct basis, they must be carried out and recorded by specially authorized officials.

This may include:

1. Judicial officials (in the case where there is already a trial in the case).
2. Officials of Rospotrebnadzor or other structural organizations that have a license and the right to carry out and record measuring actions.
3. Other persons entitled to do so.

Calling authorized persons for measurement is carried out by submitting an appropriate application. In a situation where noise needs to be measured during an ongoing court hearing, the party wishing to make the measurement must submit a petition to the judge. If it is satisfied, court officials will visit the site and take measurements.

What is noise and how does it affect the human body?

By noise we usually mean random sound vibrations that vary in frequency and intensity (however, from a physiological point of view, any sound that is perceived negatively can be considered such).

Sources of loud sounds are conventionally divided into:

• Mechanical.
• Hydraulic.
• Aerodynamic.
• Electrical.

Initially, it was assumed that excessive noise in the workplace or home only affected hearing function.

So you can deal with the noise of a hammer drill without measurements.

To go to court, collect the following evidence:

• protocol of the district police officer;
• a certificate from a representative of the housing office about the facts of violation of silence;
• testimony from affected neighbors;
• evidence of repeated warnings to the neighbor;
• video, audio recording of noise.

And even measurements are not necessary to achieve justice.

An example of this is the decision of the Tomsk court to impose a fine on a fan of loud music, which, according to him, sounds within the normal range. But, since the normative music still irritated the neighbors, the court considered it unacceptable.

In addition to administrative punishment, an extreme measure may even follow - eviction from the apartment (293 Art.

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Determine what key the song is in

Noise standards in residential premises day and night according to the laws of the Russian Federation

In accordance with sanitary standards SN 2.2.4/2.1.8.562-96 “Noise in workplaces, residential and public buildings...”, the maximum permissible decibel level in the period from 07:00 to 23:00 should not exceed 55 dBA, and from 23:00 to 07:00 – 45 dBA.

Loud sounds can harm human health, as can other factors, for example, chemical or biological (all this is controlled by Rospotrebnazdor). In addition, too loud a sound can cause vibrations, which are also dangerous to humans. That’s why it’s so important to determine the noise level in your own apartment. Today this is not difficult. However, if your neighbors are too noisy, then you will have to try and obtain objective evidence for various authorities, such as for the court.

What dangers does increased noise pose?

Irritation from noise has a cumulative effect, which is why its impact is insidious, since it does not appear immediately. As a rule, a person is completely defenseless against such danger.

The regular impact of noise on the body causes attacks of insomnia and increases blood pressure. Over a long period, the formation of a process to reduce hearing acuity occurs. In this case, the disease is almost irreversible.

Increased aggression, low concentration are the consequences of systematic exposure to high volume. The result is an unsatisfactory level of labor productivity.

Watch the video: “Why it’s difficult to get punished for noise.”

It is necessary to combat the excessive noise threshold, but the process is purely legally lengthy and complex. As a result, relations with neighbors will be damaged forever. The most reasonable solution in this situation is to look for a compromise that will satisfy both parties.

Free consultation by phone! Moscow and region: ; Regions of the Russian Federation:

Photos of sound level meters

What are the noise standards in an apartment?

There are certain criteria that determine the permissible noise level in an apartment. If the permissible noise level in a residential area begins to increase, this can become a significant cause for concern for residents, as well as cause a change in their functional state.

1. During the daytime, the equivalent noise level reaches 40 - 55 decibels
2. At night, the equivalent noise level should not exceed 30 - 45 decibels

According to these indicators, you can conduct research on the noise level in the apartment. There are also different types of noise, depending on the sources. The root causes of external noise in a residential building include construction work, vehicles, industrial enterprises, and advertising sound-reproducing installations. Internal noise sources include those located directly in the room. Internal sources of noise can be office rooms, shops and various workshops.

1. 22 decibels - this level is characterized as silence; it is worth noting that this noise frequency does not occur in natural conditions.
2. The indicator is 25-26 decibels - at this level the noise is barely noticeable, it can be in an apartment with sufficient sound insulation and in a quiet place.
3. Indicator from 30 decibels to 36 decibels - the room is very quiet, but noises are already audible. This level of noise can occur at night in an apartment, for example, when a washing machine is running, or at night in a room with windows facing the roadway.
4. An indicator of 40-45 decibels - this noise is faintly audible (insignificant) but exceeds the background by 3-5 decibels. This noise level is possible in a room with a computer turned on, as well as with street noise.
5. An indicator of 46-59 decibels is a normal noise level that does not violate comfort conditions. It is worth noting that this level is exactly the one within which we find ourselves every day.
6. An indicator of 60-75 decibels is already a fairly loud noise level, such indicators go beyond the limits of comfort. This level of noise can be in a sales area, noise near ventilation chambers, the sound of a TV at medium volume, or the conversation of people standing nearby.
7. An indicator of 78-114 decibels is considered a very loud noise, it can most often be heard: on the side of the highway, during a loud conversation of a group of people, inside a moving carriage, when the siren of a special vehicle is working, when several generators are running.
8. An indicator of 120 decibels is already the pain threshold for a person.
9. An indicator of 130 decibels is unbearable noise; being in such conditions is only possible with headphones. Example - noise from an airplane jet engine
10. A reading of 180 decibels is lethal to humans; such noise can be caused by a powerful explosion.

Based on this, one question arises: how to measure the noise level in an apartment in order to know whether it is hazardous to health or not. To do this, contact the EcoTestExpress laboratory, laboratory specialists will help you examine the noise level in the apartment or, and show what consequences it has and how it affects the residents of the apartment

It is worth noting that the fight against the causes (which cause noise in the apartment) is very difficult. Unfortunately, in some situations, noise sources will not disappear anywhere, but it is possible to reduce their effect on the human body. Measuring the noise in an apartment will help us determine what level we are dealing with, and then determine all possible ways to solve this problem, because it’s no secret that when a person comes home after a hard day at work, he has one desire - to relax and sit in silence.

It is worth noting that the permissible noise level in an apartment is up to 55 decibels during the day, and up to 45 decibels at night. If your apartment is located above a store or other office space and it seems to you that there is a very high noise level in your home, you have every right to have the noise in your apartment measured by Rospotrebnadzor.

You should definitely measure the noise level in the apartment in case of any minimal disturbance, because peace and quiet are the key to health. After measuring and identifying irritants, it is imperative to eliminate them. For example, if you suspect that the sources of noise in your apartment are internal irritants, such as noise from an elevator or a garbage chute, then be sure to complain to the construction company, and at its own expense it will measure the noise level in the apartment with the help of Rospotrebnadzor.

After familiarizing you with the conclusion, the above campaign will be required to eliminate all irritants, but if this does not happen within the agreed period, then you can safely go to the Federal Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare Service. The private laboratory “EcoTestExpress” also carries out noise measurements in the apartment.

How the noise of cities affects us Sound engineer - about how we go crazy from the sounds of the metropolis

I believe that one day the sounds of the city will become quieter. Sound is pressure, and pressure is stress. Any Muscovite experiences stress because of the city. Here cars, construction sites, air conditioners, instant messengers, computers - everything literally screams. By the way, improperly laid asphalt also greatly affects the noise level. Cars drive louder on curved asphalt. In cities with dense buildings, buildings also reflect sound, increasing the amount of noise.

A person may get used to the noise and not notice it, but in reality the body will not be comfortable. Constant noise can lead to physical fatigue, hearing loss and nervous diseases. A resident of Moscow fusses because the information (including sound) background causes irritation, and an irritated person is always more active.

Therefore, outside the city we enjoy the silence. I was in Zvenigorod, and it’s so quiet there that you can hear birds singing and people’s voices 100 meters away.

In Russia, they practically don’t think about this, but in Vienna and Berlin there are laboratories that are studying how to green a city, taking into account noise reduction.

How harmful is constant noise?

↔ View table

— Is it possible to build buildings so that they increase noise?

— It’s unlikely, but it’s possible to do proper work with landscaping. Leaves are dampers because they are softly attached to the branches. In the crowns of trees, sound is scattered and absorbed. In Russia, they practically don’t think about this, but in Vienna and Berlin there are laboratories that are studying how to green a city, taking into account noise reduction. Russia also has standards for noise levels, but they are not observed. Thus, according to the law, road noise near the house should not exceed 55 decibels during the day and 40 at night.

In Europe, they generally take a more careful approach to creating sound comfort. For example, in Frankfurt in a public place you will see acoustic panels that are so organically integrated into the space that you perceive them as a decorative element. At the same time, they absorb the sounds of a person’s footsteps on the floor or people’s voices.

— Is it possible to somehow work with city noise? For example, transform it. Here, artists in Rome used amphorae to transform the noise of a bus into music.

“If you place amphorae everywhere, then the whole city will sound in certain frequencies. It will be very unusual, and you can even set it up so that all the streets sound different chords. It will be a terrible art object, a terrible city. I am not a supporter of teaching a person to a specific tone, because someone may not like E minor. This is funny for tourists, but at the same time it imposes a strange new reality on city dwellers. In my opinion, this is incorrect.

— Does our body generally need silence?

“Absolute silence is not necessary—it’s torture.” In the echo chamber we will listen to how the blood pulsates through the veins or the work of different organs. In such conditions we will quickly go crazy. Time will fly by quickly: in 15 minutes we will live an hour. Because there are no stimuli for the body. A person reacts not to a stimulus, but to a change in stimulus. It was quiet - it became loud.

We are unaccustomed to silence. If you put a person who lived in a quiet place in an echo chamber, he will be able to stay there longer than a person from a metropolis.

Shielding yourself from urban sounds with closed windows and turning on the sounds of nature at night - for example, the sound of a fire or the rustling of leaves - is one of the best solutions.

— Do we need artificially created places of silence in the city? For example, the MCC has silence cars, where people are asked to turn off the sound on their phones and talk quietly.

— The appearance of special quiet places is an injection that fights the consequences, not the cause. Your hand falls off - here's a pill for you. It is necessary to generally reduce the noise level in cities, and not create selectively quiet places. A person will not become healthy by visiting such a place. I hope that in the future everyone will think about sound. For example, people who design various household appliances will think that they should not make noise.

— Are sounds in a big city always violent? In fact, we are never asked what we want to hear, or whether we want to hear it at all.

— For one person it would be violence to hear chanson in a cafe, and for another to listen to jazz or classical music. But at the same time, the sound of the wind is pleasant for everyone - for those who listen to jazz, neurohop, and chanson.

— Often the music in cafes is annoying - it’s too loud or vulgar. Should I do something with her?

— Music in a cafe serves other purposes. Imagine: if the music is turned off, you will hear cooking, waiters talking, the sounds of your neighbor eating. All this will distract you.

— Why do people often play some sounds in the background? For example, radio, TV or podcasts?

- It is a habit. Cigarettes lead to death, but a person smokes - his body demands more. The same goes for noise. If you regularly absorb a lot of noise and then find yourself in nature, you'll say, "Wow, that's cool." But at first the body will require noise and irritants.

All people have different hearing, and some people find sounds of a certain frequency unpleasant or painful. You can't get used to it, it's a feature of hearing.

— How do sounds at night affect us? Should you turn off the clock and close the windows to sleep better?

“The quieter the space we sleep in, the better.” A clock is a rhythmic instrument, so it can put us into a state of meditation. But tests show that natural sounds always have a better effect on humans. Therefore, using closed windows to isolate yourself from urban sounds and turn on the sounds of nature at night - for example, the sound of a fire or the rustling of leaves - is one of the best solutions. You will sleep better and feel generally good.

— Is it possible to overdo it with natural sounds?

- Only if you turn them on loudly.

— That is, you can listen at least all night or all day, and the sounds will not irritate?

- If sounds are repeated, then the person gets irritated. Typically, calming apps record a minute-long fragment on loop, often in low quality. Our brain reads that the fragment is repeated and experiences discomfort. And in nature, all sounds are unique, so it’s pleasant for the brain. Even in birdsong there are always micro changes. We will soon release a mobile generative application with natural sounds. It is based on microsamples and an audio engine that places the samples in a specific randomized order. Such natural sounds are not annoying.

— Why do some sounds seem to a priori infuriate? For example, the creaking of a fork on a plate.

- In fact, this sound does not infuriate everyone, just like the creaking of foam plastic on a board. In such sounds, one frequency greatly dominates the others. It’s as if one slider in the equalizer was raised sharply. All people have different hearing, and some people find sounds of a certain frequency unpleasant or painful. You can't get used to it, it's a feature of hearing.

The sounds must be harmonious.

— What will the city sound like in the future? It's understandable that you think it will be quieter. But, for example, what will the cars of the future sound like? What are the working options? It seems to me that this sound will be similar to the sound of an incoming text message - something like “wooom”.

— You very closely depicted a sound reminiscent of the sound of Skype opening. This is how our psyche works: an upward tonal sound is associated with something that is opening, starting. If the pitch rises, the car is accelerating. If the altitude decreases, the car slows down. We have memory, and the sounds that we hear are immediately put into categories by the brain. Everyone knows what blasters sound like. Pew Pew. This sound was invented by Ben Burt, who hit a metal spring with a stick and got this sound. And if there's a blaster in the future, this is what we'll want it to sound like.

The sounds must be harmonious. For example, we are developing augmented sound reality for cities, urban spaces and squares, and this is not music, these are generative (which are generated automatically. - Ed.) sound landscapes that give the idea that you are in this particular place at this particular time. time.

For example, in parks a person’s task is to have fun and relax. This means there must be sounds similar to birdsong. If you visit a park where there are birdsong and where there are not, you will choose the one with birds. A person misses nature, he feels good from natural sounds.

Or, for example, at the institute we are engaged in sound recording of office spaces and homes. Here we have the opposite task. The background noise in the office should set you up for productive work, and at home it should bring peace and tranquility.

— And now there are sounds that no one has heard before? Or has everything been invented a long time ago?

- They appear. At the Institute we also teach this to young guys.

Sounds are created by sound designers and sound experimenters. About ten years ago there were no vibration sounds on the phone or many instant messengers.

Cover: Kadmy - stock.adobe.com

We turn to professionals

How to measure the noise level from neighbors or from a street store professionally and reliably if our arguments and conversations with them do not help.

We contact the local Rospotrebnadzor. Its functions include checking the requirements of legislation on sanitary standards.

He makes checks and measurements in the following cases:

• fans and refrigerators of catering and retail establishments, external air conditioning and cooling systems interfere;
• loud music from restaurants and other entertainment companies;
• the engineering and plumbing equipment of the building rattles and vibrates: pumps, elevators, transformers, etc.

Rospotrebnadzor does not take measurements of noisy neighbors!

The Sanitary and Epidemiological Station (SES) prepares measurements in the apartment and issues a certificate for the court. Telephone.

Often it is enough to reduce the vibration of the wheel and rails, which is achieved by improving their design. Improved brake design also helps reduce noise.

The design of the railway as a whole also affects noise. For example, installing noise barriers, similar to those around highways, can help reduce noise. Gravel mounds around the rails also absorb sound.

Some noise pollution associated with railways is inevitable. For example, an audible warning system at railway crossings is essential and helps prevent accidents. In conditions of poor visibility, it is thanks to it that pedestrians and drivers know that a train is approaching.

This is not so noticeable during the day when there is already a lot of noise around, but it is very clearly audible at night. Noise in residential areas is also often caused by loud music in homes, bars and restaurants.

Wind turbines

The low-frequency noise they produce interferes with sleep and causes headaches and other symptoms in people living near the turbines, according to organizations that monitor companies that produce electricity from wind turbines.

These problems are so serious that people often abandon their homes and move away to get away from this noise. Proponents of wind energy, on the other hand, argue that these problems are not caused by noise itself, but by a nocebo effect. That is, the problems are not caused by the sound itself, but by the expectation that these problems should appear. At the moment, there are no long-term studies of this issue to understand who is right.

The applications are easy to use and accessible to anyone.

However, the results of such a measurement will not have strong legal force in court proceedings, since during the examination it is necessary to take into account many factors that are not recorded by the resident when independently measuring the noise level using a computer application.

What to do when there is constant noise

If the neighbors are noisy and are not interested in other people's dissatisfaction, then they should file a lawsuit. Before doing this, it is advisable to perform 4 steps:

1. Collect evidence of noise ordinance violations. Special devices for measuring decibels or contacting special supervisory authorities can help with this.
2. It would not be superfluous to check the permitting documentation with the builders and the organization carrying out the work. Her absence will be an advantage during court proceedings.
3. There will probably be other neighbors who are unhappy with the annoying noise. You need to enlist their support and write a complaint together.
4. Call a local police officer who will document the noise, which will help in further proceedings in court.

At night, all sounds are heard much louder, which often becomes the cause of quarrels between neighbors.

How to measure the noise level in a residential area

Noisy neighbors, construction outside the window, running household appliances - all this can create an acoustic background, from unpleasant to physically noticeable.

You should try to fix the problem, but first you should measure the noise level.

That is, even if the sound level threatens hearing loss, people do not notice it. This is why, in situations where people are exposed to loud noise for a long time, the sound level is measured with special instruments to ensure that the level does not exceed the norm.

Usually these are sound level meters. Most of them are portable and can be purchased at an affordable price.

Sound dosimeters

If it is necessary to measure not only the current sound level, but also the total dose of noise exposure over a certain period of time, sound dosimeters are used. Since long-term exposure to loud sounds often causes hearing damage, dosimeters can help determine whether people working in loud noise environments need to wear hearing protection or earplugs.

• Professional sound level meter
• Special computer programs
• Contact Rospotrebnadzor
• Attracting specialists
• Liability for excess
• Noisy neighbors: fixing the problem

What is the danger of noise that exceeds permissible standards?

Whatever the reason for exceeding permissible standards, it interferes with rest, study and work.

The human body reacts negatively to noise. Prolonged repair work or other actions that disturb the silence lead to a decrease in reaction, absent-mindedness, irritability, nervousness and hinder intelligence.

The citizen's productivity decreases. Exposure to sounds exceeding 70 decibels increases the risk of accidents and causes hearing loss. This especially affects pensioners, young children, disabled people and women.

Video

If a person on the street or at home is exposed to noise up to 60 decibels for a short period of time, this is not dangerous. However, exceeding the value of the indicator can provoke the development of nervous system disorders.

Standard noise level in decibels in residential premises

• private rooms, apartments, apartment buildings and buildings in which residence is permitted;
• rest houses and boarding houses;
• complexes for the elderly and disabled;
• bedrooms in kindergartens and boarding schools.

For this category of real estate, the law provides for a permissible maximum noise level of 45 dB at night and 55 decibels during the day. For hotels and hostels, regulations state that loud noises can be made up to 50 dB in the evening, and 60 dB in the morning.

How can the noise level be compared?

In order to clearly understand the analogies of sounds with generally accepted sources, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the table where you can compare a noise level of 40 dB with its increased values:

Table 1.

Silence law

You are constantly bothered by the noise in your apartment. The law is on your side. If your neighbors regularly disturb your peace of mind and there is noise coming from their apartment, there is a chance to resolve the issue peacefully.

Try to discuss this unpleasant nuance with them, it usually leads to positive results. However, it happens that noisy sounds come not from your neighbor’s apartment, but from a building located near your home.

24-hour bar in a residential building

Buildings that house nightclubs, shopping centers with sound advertising outside, parking areas where car alarms regularly go off, cause much more trouble than noisy residents of the house.

In such circumstances, it is necessary to turn to jurisprudence.

You should start by studying the law “On the sanitary and epidemiological welfare of citizens,” or rather its section, which describes the norms of silence.

Noise has a certain level, or rather a decibel. A special device can be used to measure the level of noisy sounds. During the daytime, the decibel level should not exceed 40.

As for the night, here the noise level is allowed up to 30 decibels. If you simply give the culprit decibel numbers, it will do nothing.

Let's take an example of the noises that we hear every day in our apartment:

• Vehicle alarm - 99 dB
• Neighbor's alarm clock - 75 dB
• Home theater at full volume - 110 dB
• Loud scream - 90 dB
• Playing a musical instrument - 85 dB
• Conversation in a raised voice - 80 dB
• Busy street - 70 dB and so on.

There are many such examples, which means that our rights to silence are regularly violated.

Disturbing peace and quiet

Some people mistakenly believe that noise at night is prohibited only inside a living space. But the rules also apply to loud noise coming from the street. More often, disturbing the silence at night means:

• Working car alarm.
• Use of sound equipment in shops, cafes, etc. located close to residential buildings.
• Repair and construction work.
• Noisy holidays with neighbors.
• Loud talking and shouting.
• The use of various pyrotechnics (firecrackers, fireworks).
• Playing musical instruments.

However, there is a nuance here; for example, a salesperson in a convenience store or a driver in a car is not prohibited from listening to music. But its volume should not interfere with the peace of citizens at night.

Silence must be observed around:

• with private and apartment buildings;
• with social institutions (hospitals, kindergartens, etc.);
• hotels, boarding houses, etc.

For violation of the established silence time, citizens and legal entities are subject to administrative liability.

When there is no point in doing an examination

There are situations in which it is pointless to carry out an examination or noise measurement, even if the rules have been violated. There are a number of reasons that no one can control, such as a baby crying. This cannot be controlled, which means there is no violation as such.

If you really are faced with such a problem, then you should understand the reasons and do everything possible to resolve the conflict. It is better not to bring the matter to court, but to try to resolve everything peacefully. Even if the noise disappears, it is only with good relations between you and your neighbors, so choose the right solutions.

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The apartment is our fortress, which protects us from a huge number of different external irritants. Unfortunately, very often such a factor as noise prevents you from fully relaxing after a hard day at work. It is worth noting that residents of large cities suffer most from noise. Lately, even various noise-insulating devices have not been able to fully protect against this scourge. First, let's define what noise is.

Noise is random vibrations of various physical natures that differ in the complexity of their temporal and spectral characteristics. Today noise is one of the causes of environmental pollution.

What level is considered exceeding the norm?

The legislation of the Russian Federation protects citizens from unfavorable sanitary conditions. One of the indicators of the norm of a prosperous environment is the noise level (Article 23 of the Federal Law of 1999 No. 52).

The law defines the following noise levels:

• inside a living space;
• external noise;
• external noise from the railway.

External noise in houses located near the railway can exceed the norm by 10 dB.

However, the most popular point of contention is noise from neighbors' apartments in apartment buildings. If comfortable living in a residential area is impossible due to troublesome neighbors, measures must be taken.

The noise level in the apartment is the norm according to the law in St. Petersburg

The amount of the fine for violating the “silence law” as amended for repair work:

• for citizens – from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles;
• for officials – from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles;
• for legal entities – from 10,000 to 30,000 rubles.

Latest news The State Duma is considering a draft of a new “federal law on silence” in apartment buildings, which is designed to streamline regional norms and consolidate provisions on protecting the peace of citizens in the Housing Code of the Russian Federation and the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

In particular, the document proposes to establish official night time from 22:00 to 6:00.

The fact that liability for violators of silence norms today is fixed only at the regional level has a negative impact on the implementation of these laws, including those in force in St. Petersburg.

“Law on silence” in St. Petersburg - how does it work?

This includes musical instruments, shouting, stomping, whistling and other noisy activities. The law contains exceptions to the above rules that allow noise in an apartment building at night. These are the situations:

• actions aimed at recovery after natural disasters and emergencies. This includes stopping crime. For example, if your car was broken into by intruders and the alarm system went off, this is not considered a breach of peace;
• cultural events and official holidays.

Permissible noise level The noise level in the apartment is measured in decibels.

If you think that your neighbors are violating the norms established by law, call Rospotrebnadzor or the sanitary-epidemiological service. They will measure the noise level and issue you a corresponding certificate.

Law on silence and noise in the apartment at night

The only exception is New Year's celebrations. From 23:00 on December 31 to 4:00 on January 1, you can set off fireworks - such actions will not violate the St. Petersburg law on silence at night and on weekends of 2021.

More serious liability in monetary terms is provided for construction, repair and loading work if it disturbs the peace of citizens at night. An exception is provided only when it comes to cleaning and loading snow.

The “silence law” in St. Petersburg does not apply to actions aimed at eliminating emergencies, natural disasters and accidents, as well as actions to protect personal and public safety.

Legal entities conducting coordinated cultural events or religious ceremonies within the framework of canonical requirements are exempt from liability for disturbing the night's peace.

The law on silence in St. Petersburg - how to protect your sleep

St. Petersburg" prohibits: • The use of any devices that produce loud sounds (TVs, radios, tape recorders, other sound-reproducing devices), resulting in disruption of the peace and quiet of citizens at night; • Screaming, whistling, knocking, moving furniture, singing, playing musical instruments and other actions that disrupt the peace and quiet of citizens at night; • The use of pyrotechnics (firecrackers, flares and others), resulting in disruption of the peace and quiet of citizens at night; • Carrying out repair, construction, unloading and loading works, resulting in disruption of the peace and quiet of citizens at night; • Committing actions that disturb the peace and quiet of citizens in apartment buildings on weekends and non-working national holidays from 8.00 to 12.00, including repair, construction, loading and unloading and other work.

Laws on silence" in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other regions can adjust these time frames only in the direction of expansion, that is, tighten the requirements for maintaining peace and quiet for citizens at night.

Law of St. Petersburg The peace and quiet of residents of the northern capital is protected by regional Law N 273-70 “On Administrative Offences” (as amended on November 29, 2021), in which two articles 8 and 38 are devoted to regulating this issue.

It will also be in effect in 2021. The St. Petersburg law expands the time that is considered “night”. Unlike federal regulations, it starts at 22:00 and ends at 8:00. Morning time on weekends and non-working holidays (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) is also considered “night time.”

Where and how to complain about violation of the silence law

Depending on whether the noise standards in apartments are too high or whether it is a manufacturing enterprise, public place, etc., different structures are involved in investigating violations.
It should be taken into account that there is a single Federal Law “On the Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the Population” dated March 30, 1999 N 52-FZ, as amended, as well as laws of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. In order to accurately understand the noise regulations in your area, you will need to study both laws in more detail.

Changes in the law on silence in 2021 – 2021

In 2021, the law underwent minor changes, namely, changes were made to paragraph 1.1 of Article 39 of the Federal Law of March 30, 1999 N 52-FZ

For example, in Moscow you cannot make noise from 23:00 to 07:00; repair work is prohibited from 19:00 in the evening to 9:00 in the morning, as well as from 13:00 in the afternoon until 15:00 in the afternoon. On holidays and Sundays, such work is completely prohibited. However, this ban does not apply to new housing, in which repair work can be carried out daily for one and a half years, except at night.

In the Moscow region, quiet time lasts on weekdays from 22:00 pm to 8:00 am, on weekends and holidays from 22:00 pm to 10:00 am, and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

In the northern capital of our homeland, the quiet time lasts from 22:00 pm to 8:00 am, and on weekends and holidays, repairs are allowed after 12:00 pm.

Monetary fines may be imposed for exceeding the permissible noise level at certain times. Moreover, this norm applies to both individuals and legal entities (various organizations, shops, etc.) located in residential buildings.

As a rule, if a violation is detected for the first time, the violator can get off with a simple warning, but in the event of a repeated violation, law enforcement agencies will most likely issue a fine.

The size of the first fine is from 1 to 3 thousand rubles, if the violation is repeated, the fine is 4 thousand rubles, but the third time the violator’s wallet will be emptied by 5 thousand rubles.

It is worth considering that the above fines apply only to individuals; if the violator is an official, the fine will be from 500 rubles to 40,000 rubles; for legal entities, the amount of the fine can reach 150 thousand rubles.

Table of fines for breaking silence

If the above measures do not have the desired effect, you can file a claim in court for compensation for moral damage caused. In this case, you can specify any amount of the claim, since judges in most cases reduce these amounts several times.

It will not be difficult to formulate a statement of claim on your own. However, you can use the services of lawyers.

The statement of claim indicates the name of the court or magistrate to whom the application is sent, complete information about the plaintiff and defendant, the amount of moral damage, the justification of the stated claims from the position of law and other legal documents. Simultaneously with filing a claim or during the consideration of the case, you can file a petition to involve certain third parties in the case, calling witnesses who know any information about the case.

Evidence must be attached to the statement of claim. And in cases of compensation for moral damage, this is a difficult procedure. In this situation, evidence may include appeals to the police, other authorities, conclusions of Rospotrebnadzor, correspondence with a neighbor, video and audio recordings obtained legally, certificates from medical institutions indicating deterioration in health.

You can find out about the date of consideration of the case yourself on the court’s website, as well as from the received ruling on acceptance of the claim or a court summons. If the plaintiff believes that he will not be able to properly defend his interests, then a representative can be hired for these purposes. However, in this case, you should remember the ratio of the cost of the services of a lawyer, another lawyer and the price of the claim.

The defendant has the right to write objections to the plaintiff’s demands set out in his application and send them to the court and the plaintiff within a reasonable time. The plaintiff also has the opportunity at the same time to present additional explanations, arguments and written evidence.

The court, within the framework of its powers, examines all materials of the case, checks the reliability and admissibility of evidence, the substantiation of the parties' arguments, asks questions to the participants in the process, and requests additional explanations and documents from them. At the same time, the court must be impartial, fair and not be influenced by anyone.

In an open trial, participants are given the opportunity to testify, voice their opinions, object to the position of the other party, prove their position, and add additional information.

By his reasoned decision, the judge recovers moral damages in full or in part, or refuses to recover them.

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Within a month after the decision is announced, the parties have the right to appeal it on appeal. Then you can go through the cassation court to challenge the judicial act.

After the court decision on the recovery of moral damage comes into legal force, it is necessary to obtain a writ of execution, which is submitted for forced collection to the relevant territorial division of the bailiffs. The latter will open enforcement proceedings, formalizing this with the appropriate procedural act. If the debtor does not compensate for moral damage within a voluntary period, the executor will begin its forced collection.

In addition to the police and the court, you can write complaints about the actions of your neighbor to the housing inspectorate, Rospotrebnadzor, local authorities, which must be considered within up to 30 days, and in exceptional cases up to 60 days with mandatory notification of the extension of the deadline to the applicant.

The law does not limit the number of calls to the police when the right of citizens to silence is violated, as well as the number of appeals to the court and other authorities. Therefore, in the struggle for established rights and normal living conditions with unlucky neighbors, you can apply an unlimited number of times to law enforcement agencies for response measures and to the court for compensation for moral damage.

Repair work

A separate item is carrying out repair work. This is much more disturbing than loud music or television, so there is a separate set of rules in the law regarding this issue. Violation of these rules can lead not only to a fine, but also to serious liability. Therefore, follow these rules to avoid ending up in an unpleasant situation:

• Do not carry out repairs or construction work on weekends and holidays;
• Construction work can begin no earlier than 9 a.m. and finish no later than 11 a.m.;
• The average repair duration cannot be more than six hours. In this case, it is necessary to take a break for at least an hour;
• The tools used should not create noise exceeding 40 decibels;
• Construction cannot last more than three months. Otherwise, you will need to obtain special permission from the authorities;
• Before remodeling an apartment, you will need to obtain permits;
• Construction waste should not be located in public areas, nor should it block exits for other citizens.

It is best if you warn your neighbors about the renovation and discuss this issue so that they do not have to conduct a noise level inspection and start proceedings with you.

Responsibility for violation of norms

In this situation, administrative and civil legal liability is provided. Administrative liability is expressed in the application of penalties. As for civil liability, consequences apply here in the form of compensation for material and moral damage, as well as a ban on the continuation of illegal actions.

Thus, the measurement of the noise volume level is determined in accordance with the procedure established by law. If a violation of the law is detected, the perpetrators may be brought to civil and administrative liability.