GOST 12.1.036-81 PDF

Full title and description

GOST 12.1.036-81 — Система стандартов безопасности труда. Шум. Допустимые уровни в жилых и общественных зданиях (Occupational safety standards system. Noise. Admissible levels of noise in houses and public buildings). The standard defines permissible indoor noise levels and spectral limits for various types of residential and public rooms and specifies exclusions for special-purpose acoustical premises.

Abstract

This GOST establishes admissible values of noise (sound pressure levels and, where applicable, octave-band spectral limits) inside residential and public buildings for different room categories and time periods (day/night). It is intended to protect human health and comfort by limiting environmental and equipment-generated noise in living and public spaces while excluding specially treated acoustical premises (broadcast studios, concert halls, etc.).

General information

• Status: Active / действующий.
• Publication date: Approved in 1981 and introduced into force in 1982 (commonly cited entry-into-force date 1 July 1982).
• Publisher: Approved by the State Committee for Standards of the USSR (Gosstandart); text and reprints are maintained and distributed by national standards collections and commercial standards publishers (modern databases/collections provide updated entries).
• ICS / categories: Acoustics / Noise — OKS/ICS class related to "Impact of noise on humans" (commonly indexed under 13.140 / acoustics and environmental protection categories).
• Edition / version: Original designation -81 (approved 1981). The text has appeared in later reprints/compilations (noted reprints and database updates in 2001–2013/2015 editions of SSBТ collections).
• Number of pages: Short normative text — commonly published as 2–4 pages (varies by edition and scanned reprint).

Scope

The standard applies to rooms of residential and public buildings and sets admissible noise levels to protect occupants' health and comfort. It does not apply to specially acoustically treated premises such as radio/television studios, film studios, cinema halls, theaters and concert halls, nor to noise produced by the normal activities of people inside the measured room. The standard is intended for planning, assessment and control of indoor noise from equipment, systems and external sources where they affect residential or public interiors.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of admissible overall sound-pressure levels for different room types (residential rooms, hotel rooms, hospital wards, public administrative and service rooms) differentiated by daytime and nighttime periods.
• Octave-band (spectral) limits for certain sensitive rooms (examples: hospital wards, operating rooms, sanatoria) to control low- and high-frequency energy content.
• Exclusions and special-purpose premises (broadcasting/recording studios, theaters, concert halls) where separate acoustical standards apply.
• Normative references to related GOSTs for measurement methods and general noise-safety requirements (for example, cross-references to standards on noise safety, measurement techniques and related procedures).
• Use of the standard for evaluation, planning and acceptance testing of building services, equipment and installations affecting indoor noise levels.

Typical use and users

Used by acoustical and building engineers, architects, environmental and occupational health specialists, facility managers, designers of HVAC and building equipment, auditors performing indoor environmental assessments, and regulators enforcing noise/health requirements in buildings. Commonly consulted during design, commissioning and compliance checks for residential, hospitality, healthcare and public building projects.

Related standards

Works together with and is cross-referenced by other national standards on noise and indoor environments — examples include general noise safety and measurement standards (e.g., GOST 12.1.003 series for general noise safety and other GOSTs addressing measurement methods, building microclimate and equipment noise characteristics). Modern building microclimate and acoustic standards (later GOST/GOST‑R publications) are typically consulted alongside this document for comprehensive compliance.

Keywords

noise; admissible noise levels; indoor acoustics; residential buildings; public buildings; day/night limits; octave bands; occupational safety; SSBТ; GOST 12 series.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: GOST 12.1.036-81 is a Soviet/Russian occupational-safety standard that specifies admissible indoor noise levels for residential and public buildings to protect human health and comfort.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers permissible overall sound-pressure levels and, where specified, octave-band spectral limits for different room categories and time periods (day/night), plus exclusions for specially treated acoustic premises.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Acoustical engineers, architects, environmental health and safety professionals, facility managers, equipment designers, and regulators use it for design, assessment and compliance of indoor noise conditions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is listed in national databases as действующий (active) and remains a referenced normative text for admissible indoor noise levels; later reprints and database updates have occurred (entries and updates recorded in standards collections and databases through the 2000s and 2010s). For project work, users commonly check this GOST together with later national standards and technical regulations to confirm the currently applicable set of requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the "System of occupational safety standards" (ССБТ / GOST 12 series) covering various workplace and environmental safety topics, specifically those addressing noise and its effects on humans.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Noise, admissible levels, indoor acoustics, residential buildings, public buildings, octave bands, day/night limits, occupational safety.