HKBD Practice Notes + BEAM Plus compliance guide for Hong Kong architects and acoustic consultants.
EPD (Environmental Protection Department) Technical Memorandum on noise sets environmental noise standards. BEAM Plus is the dominant green building rating.
Primary Standard
HKBD Practice Notes + BEAM Plus
Certification Body
HKIOA (Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics)
RT60 Targets for Hong Kong
Room Type
RT60 Target
Standard
Classroom
≤ 0.6s
EDB guidelines
Office (open plan)
≤ 0.8s
BEAM Plus
Residential living
NC-35
EPD TM
Common Building Types in Hong Kong Requiring Acoustic Design
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High-density residential towers
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Grade A commercial offices
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Schools
▶
Hotels and hospitality
Acoustic Consultants in Hong Kong
Firms commonly working on acoustic design in Hong Kong include Arup HK, WSP Asia, Meinhardt, Shen Milsom & Wilke Asia, and ALT Acoustics. AcousPlan does not endorse specific firms \u2014 this list reflects commonly encountered practices in the Hong Kong market. For projects requiring professional acoustic assessment, we recommend engaging a consultant accredited by HKIOA (Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics).
Frequently Asked Questions: Hong Kong Acoustics
What does BEAM Plus require for acoustics?▾
BEAM Plus NB v2.0 IEQ Credit 8 (Acoustic Comfort) awards up to 4 points covering: sound insulation between units (STC 50+), internal noise levels meeting EPD guidelines, reverberation time for common spaces, and mechanical equipment noise. BEAM Plus is not mandatory but is required for all government projects and incentivised through GFA concessions. It is the most widely adopted green building rating in Hong Kong.
What are Hong Kong-specific acoustic challenges?▾
Hong Kong’s extreme urban density creates unique challenges: buildings routinely face 70-80 dB road/rail noise requiring STC 40+ facades, residential towers positioned directly above MTR stations need enhanced vibration isolation, helicopter noise from police/emergency operations affects rooftop amenity spaces, and the prevalence of external AC condensers on building facades generates significant noise affecting adjacent units and neighbours.
Are there noise limits for residential developments in HK?▾
The EPD Technical Memorandum for noise from designated projects sets environmental noise standards. For residential developments, the guideline is Leq(1hr) 70 dB(A) at external facade. Interior noise targets per Buildings Department Practice Note APP-53 are typically NC-35 for living rooms and NC-30 for bedrooms. Projects requiring Environmental Impact Assessment must demonstrate compliance through noise modelling and mitigation measures.
Check Your Hong Kong Acoustic Compliance
Enter your room dimensions and surface materials to instantly calculate RT60 and check compliance with HKBD Practice Notes + BEAM Plus.