About Sound Limits
in the
Greenhouse

 It is all about respect.
 

Respect to the reasons you chose Sintra, respect to your guests, and respect to neighbors and surroundings and of course, the Law. 

 

Dear Guests,

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According to Law no. 9/2007, 17 of January, sound levels must not exceed legal limits outside the property lines, with specific dB(A) limits set for different times of day.

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Towards this end, after sound measurements, the limit inside the Greenhouse is set at  max 88 dB(A) with short dynamic peaks of up to 98 dB(A) max.

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The Greenhouse doors, windows, and the roof, must remain closed when dance music is playing.

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The Estate maintains veto and control rights over sound volume and sub-base volume.

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All music in the Greenhouse must be channeled through the fiscal-authorities pre-approved Advanced Sound Limiter by dBelectronics - Model CAP21. Tampering with the limiter may result in music being stopped by the Authorities or the Estate, with the forfeiture of the security deposit as a consequence.

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Curfew: Music at the Greenhouse will be automatically lowered by our sound limiter by 10 dB(A) to max 78 dB(A) at 11.30 pm and will end at 12 midnight, sharp.

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The Event Planner is responsible for maintaining noise levels within legal limits and must have full control and authority throughout the event, (or until the last person has left).

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Failure to comply with the restrictions may result in the forfeiture of the security deposit and termination of the event. The estate reserves the right to monitor and adjust sound levels during the event, and the supervisory entities may take precautionary measures, including interruption or cancellation of the event, to avoid serious damage to human health.

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The Estate is not liable for any loss incurred by the Client in case of event interruption or cancellation due to failure to comply with the sound and light restrictions or because of any intervention from authorities. 

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For videos from prior events, please scroll all the way to the end.

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A few words

about "Decibels"

and

sound limiters.

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Please, do not think that if you clap and the sound goes to 88dB(A) this is all you will get and your guests will not be able to enjoy. 

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Please allow us to remind you that we have had many events prior to yours and everyone accepted our terms and danced and was truly pleased with the outcome. Please scroll down and you will be able to watch some videos. 

 

Others before you in the Greenhouse have "tested" our sound levels only to think that 88 dB(A) is the level of talking or just a clap.  

 

Please allow us to explain:

 

Talking at 88 dB(A) is like when you talk loudly to be heard over noise, like in a busy restaurant or on a busy street. It's loud, but not too loud, and you can still have a conversation.

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Music for dancing at 88 dB(A) is much louder! It's like when you go to a concert or a nightclub and the music is really loud. You can feel the beats and rhythm of the music, and it makes you want to dance and move around, if you are up to it. 

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It all depends on the frequencies too, like base, and high pitch! It can still be 88 dB(A) but the result is completely different. 

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A difference of a "mere" 10 dB represents a ...tenfold change in sound energy. The dB scale is logarithmic. The sound energy at 98 dB(A) is about 10 times greater than at 88 dB(A). This means that 98 dB(A) is 10 times more intense and has 10 times more energy compared to 88 dB(A).

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To put it in simple terms, an increase of 10 dB corresponds to a sound that is perceived to be twice as loud. So, the difference between 88 dB(A) and 98 dB(A) is not just 10 dB, but actually represents a significant increase in sound energy.

Dancing to music at 88 dB(A) can be fun, but it's important to remember that loud sounds for a long time can hurt your ears. So, it's a good idea to take breaks and protect your ears with earplugs or by moving away from the loud sounds if they're too loud for a long time.

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DJs are by default "deaf." 
 

Sorry DJs, but it is true, that is the nature of your profession and most of you admit it!  So, please do yourself a favor and do not ask them if the music is loud enough to their taste. They will always say ...they want it louder.

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Our Advanced Sound Limiter is made by dBelectronics – Model CAP21.  
 

This sophisticated sound limiter has been programmed to let your guests enjoy. It is the most professional equipment out there, destined to ensure compliance with entertainent. 
 

The difference is in the word "active", meaning the sound limiter is filtering out "noise" before limiting - by "noise" being ambient sounds - so people screaming, etc. are not hindering the "normal" operation of the limiter. This is top of the line equipment, and this is why everyone is dancing. 

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Further, the sound does not get cut-off immediately when it goes over the set limits. For it to be limited -- not cut off -- it needs to stay at higher than specified limits for a longer time than the average 5 second intervals that the sound limiter is using in its algorithmic calculations. This is why you will see that the readings are indeed higher than our set limits. We want you to enjoy, not be bothered about stuff you should not!

 

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A word about our curfew. 
 

Parties after 2.30 am get "unhealthy".  No, we are not old to say this. 

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The curfew of 2.30 am is not set randomly. It comes from experience.

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You may be convinced that all your guests will want "to party until they drop" but most of them will be off at about 2 am, especially if traveling is involved. Our experience shows that parties after 2.30 am become "unhealthy" with literally only a handful of guests continuing to want to dance and drink. 

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If you are really adamant about wanting a time extension, we can offer the Palacio Adega subject to availability, and conditions until 4 am. Extra charges apply.

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Order Ubers for your guests. 
 

Please, please, do not let your friends drive out drunk. 

 

Please be aware of excessive drinking and do not let your friends get involved in an accident that may result in their injury or loss of life. Anything like this will for sure ruin your wonderful celebration and will remain indelibly in your memories. 

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Remember, the Estate shall not be liable for any damage or injury or death to Client and its guests, or any other person, or to any property, occurring on or off the Property.  Client agrees to waive and release Estate from any and all liability for costs, expenses, or damages due to loss of property or for personal injuries or death which may occur to Client and/or Client’s guests and vendors and other professionals while on or about the Property, except for injury or damage caused by the wilful misconduct of the Estate.