NZS 6803

New Zealand Standard 6803

In New Zealand, noise from most construction and maintenance, including roads, is managed in accordance with New Zealand Standard NZS 6803:1999 ‘Acoustics – Construction Noise’. The Transport Agency manages and minimises potentially unreasonable noise effects during state highway construction and maintenance, so far as is practicable, in accordance with this standard.

NZS 6803 provides the following guideline noise limits for construction and maintenance works. These limits apply outside neighbouring buildings; one metre from the façades and 1.2 to 1.5 metres above the relevant floor level.

Time of week	Time period	Duration of works at a location
		less than 14 days		less than 20 weeks		more than 20 weeks
		L_Aeq(t)	L_AFmax	L_Aeq(t)	L_AFmax	L_Aeq(t)	L_AFmax
Noise limits at residential neighbours
Weekdays	0630-0730	65 dB	75 dB	60 dB	75 dB	55 dB	75 dB
	0730-1800	80 dB	95 dB	75 dB	90 dB	70 dB	85 dB
	1800-2000	75 dB	90 dB	70 dB	85 dB	65 dB	80 dB
	2000-0630	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
Saturdays	0630-0730	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
	0730-1800	80 dB	95 dB	75 dB	90 dB	70 dB	85 dB
	1800-2000	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
	2000-0630	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
Sundays and public holidays	0630-0730	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
	0730-1800	55 dB	85 dB	55 dB	85 dB	55 dB	85 dB
	1800-2000	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
	2000-0630	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB	45 dB	75 dB
Noise limits at commercial/industrial neighbours
	0730-1800	80 dB	-	75 dB	-	70 dB	-
	1800-0730	85 dB	-	80 dB	-	75 dB	-

For each time period there are two noise limits: an average (L_Aeq(t)) and a maximum (L_AFmax) [acoustics terms]. For typical daytime construction lasting less than 20 weeks, the guideline limits are 75 dB L_Aeq(t) and 90 dB L_AFmax. The L_Aeq(t) noise limits for works lasting less than 20 weeks are also shown on the following graph.

Sound levels NZS 6803

During the day, most people tolerate higher noise levels from temporary activities, compared to permanent activities. Therefore the guideline limits for temporary work are higher. However, at night the limits are similar to those for permanent activities, to prevent sleep disturbance.

The State highway construction and maintenance noise and vibration guide contains information about the implementation of this standard.

NZS 6803 provides calculation methods for noise from construction activity and an online construction noise calculator is available.

For further information contact environment@nzta.govt.nz.

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New Zealand Standard 6803