can you use power tools on a sunday factory

Commercial buildings are required to have emergency standby generators to operate emergency lights, elevators, fire alarms and fire pumps during power outages. Also, in recent years it has become increasingly popular for homeowners to install emergency standby generators. Consequently, the number of noise complaints related to emergency standby generators has been steadily increasing.

Noise from power tools or pool pumps on a residential premise that can be heard in any habitable rooms of a neighbouring residence must cease during certain times: before 8am or after 8pm on any Sunday or public holiday, or before 7am or after 8pm on any other day.

Construction work is noisy. Whether you are putting something up or tearing it down. Even making repairs. The tools you use create noise. The plant and machinery make noise. The stacking of materials makes noise. It"s pretty hard to carry out a job on the quiet.

Leaf blowers may be operated from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday, except legal holidays. While electric blowers are allowed in all zones, gas-powered blowers will only be allowed in non-residential zones after December 31, 1998. Other special provisions governing gas blowers include: (1) they may not be operated within 150 feet of residences, motels, schools and hospitals; and (2) they must be operated with their factory mufflers in good working order.

For example, a resident could generate as many as 70 decibels (measured at their neighbor’s property line) for one minute per hour during the day. Lawn mowers, electric blowers, and other common power tools used outside the home would be most likely to generate decibels in the 60 to 70 range (measured several feet away from the source). Please note that the day standard applies from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the night standard from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The Environment Protection Regulations 2021 cover specific sources of noise. Listed in the Regulations as ‘prescribed items’, these sources of noise range from electric power tools through to air conditioners. The Regulations also list the prohibited times for noise from these prescribed items. Noise is unreasonable when it occurs during prohibited hours and someone in a habitable room in any other residence can hear it.

The Control of Pollution Act 1974 gives the Royal Borough of Greenwich"s environmental health department special powers to control noise on construction and demolition sites. Working hours can be restricted and conditions enforced on the machinery being used.

The Council does not have any enforcement powers available to prevent essential works which occasionally need to be completed during the night. We do however encourage companies such as Network Rail to engage with the communities that will be effected and to keep disturbance to a minimum. Find out more about railway maintanance noise.

The regulations cover 57 types of outdoor machinery typically used on construction sites or in large parks and gardens, such as chainsaws, cranes, dumpers, excavators, lawnmowers, leaf blowers and power generators.

Equipment must display the relevant Guaranteed Sound Power label. Manufacturers must also declare conformity with all relevant legislation by affixing:

These are specifically exempted from the excessive noise provisions of the RMA, but the police traffic branch has powers to deal with noisy vehicles operating on public roads.

If the noise starts up again after they’ve gone, phone back. The officer has the power to return with the police and seize the equipment making the noise. For more information see our Neighbourhood disputes advice.

4.2.8 Domestic Power Tools - Operating or permitting the operation of any mechanically powered saw, drill, sander, grinder, lawn or garden tool, snowblower, or similar device in residential areas between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. so as to cause a noise disturbance within a Class A receiving property.

7.1.6 Public Celebrations - Patriotic or public celebrations not extending more than one day or as authorized by the public subdivision or government entity empowered to sanction such activity.

(e)   Construction Operations; Emergency Permit.  No person shall, from Monday through Saturday between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. or on Sunday, in conducting any excavation, demolition, erection, alteration, repair or other building operation within 1,000 feet of any dwelling or business property, operate or use any steam shovels, tractors, excavators, pneumatic hammers, pile drivers, derricks, steam or electric hoists or any tools or equipment which shall make any plainly audible noise, except in cases of urgent necessity in the interests of public safety, and then only upon obtaining a permit from the Building Inspector.