A proposal for mandatory sound insulation standards in apartments has been unanimously approved by the Capital Trustees Board.
The move by the board’s financial, administrative and legislative committee chairman Dr Bashar Ahmedi aims to curb noise pollution in residential towers and enhance overall public safety and comfort.
“The purpose of this proposal is clear: to guarantee a basic level of acoustic comfort and privacy in our apartment buildings,” explained Dr Ahmedi.
“We are seeing a rapid vertical expansion in our urban areas, and with that comes new challenges,” he said.
“Sound transmission between floors is a frequent complaint, and it is unacceptable that residents continue to suffer due to poor design and lack of enforcement.”
Dr Ahmedi stressed that the proposal seeks to elevate Bahrain’s building code standards by embedding mandatory soundproofing measures for apartment floor systems, especially in freehold ownership buildings.
“These standards would be incorporated directly into the conditions for acquiring building permits, ensuring that future developments meet rigorous insulation requirements from the outset,” he said.
“We are not merely regulating construction materials, we are regulating peace.
“This is about giving families, children and seniors the quiet, private homes they deserve.”
Dr Ahmedi said as Bahrain continues to urbanise, this legislative step marks a proactive effort to safeguard the well-being of residents through smarter and more compassionate urban planning.
The board’s technical committee, chaired by Mubarak Al Nuaimi, highlighted several objectives behind the initiative, stressing the need to:
* Enhance public safety and the functional efficiency of residential buildings.
* Promote sustainable and integrated urban living, raising awareness among property owners and building managers.
* Support regulatory agencies in their efforts to monitor and enforce building compliance.
* Protect residents’ rights to a safe and appropriate living environment.
* Reduce social conflicts stemming from noise pollution in densely populated buildings.
“These aren’t just technical upgrades. They are societal improvements,” said Mr Al Nuaimi.
“We examined the proposal thoroughly and agreed that introducing mandatory insulation criteria is not just timely – it is essential,” he stressed.
“We envision communities where people live with dignity, and peace of mind. Acoustic control plays a critical role in that.”
He added that the committee’s review focused on both the technical soundness and practical enforceability of the proposal.
The proposal has been found to ensure a minimum standard of auditory privacy within residential units, said Mr Al Nuaimi.
“It fosters a culture of safety and awareness among residents and building administrators, provides regulatory bodies with clearer benchmarks for compliance and inspection, and aligns with broader efforts to modernise building codes in line with international standards.”
The proposal has been forwarded to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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