Terminology. All terminology used in this section,
not defined below, shall be in conformance with applicable publications
of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or its successor
body. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL
The sound-pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound-level
meter using the A-weighting network. The level so read is designated
dB(A) or dBA.
CONSTRUCTION
Any site preparation, assembly, erection, substantial repair,
alteration, or similar actions, but excluding demolition, for or of
public or private rights-of-way, structures, utilities or similar
property.
DECIBEL (dB)
A unit for measuring the volume of a sound equal to 20 times
the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound
measured to the reference pressure, which is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons
per square meter).
EQUIVALENT A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL (Leq)
The equivalent steady-state sound level which in a stated
period of time contains the same acoustic energy as the time-varying
sound level during the same period. For purposes of measuring or predicting
noise levels, a receptor is assumed to be at ear height, located five
feet above ground surface. "Leq(h)" means the hourly value of Leq.
HABITABLE ROOM
Any room meeting the requirements of the Uniform Building
Code or other applicable regulations which is intended to be used
for sleeping, living, cooking or dining purposes, excluding such enclosed
spaces as closets, pantries, bath or toilet rooms, service rooms,
connecting corridors, laundries, unfinished attics, foyers, storage
spaces, cellars, utility rooms and similar spaces.
OUTDOOR LIVING AREA
Spaces that are associated with residential land uses typically
used for passive recreational activities or other noise-sensitive
uses. Such spaces include patio areas; barbecue areas; residential
play areas; outdoor patient recovery or resting areas associated with
hospitals, convalescent hospitals, or rest homes; and outdoor school
facilities routinely used for educational purposes which may be adversely
impacted by noise. Outdoor areas usually not included in this definition
are front yard areas, driveways, greenbelts, maintenance areas, and
storage areas associated with residential land uses; exterior areas
at hospitals that are not used for patient activities; outdoor areas
associated with places of worship and principally used for short-term
social gatherings; and outdoor areas associated with school facilities
that are not typically associated with educational uses prone to adverse
noise impacts (for example, school play yard areas).
PERSON
Any individual, association, partnership, or corporation,
and includes any officer, employee, department, agency or instrumentality
of a state or any political subdivision of a state.
SOUND
An oscillation in pressure, particle displacement, particle
velocity or other physical parameter, in a medium with internal forces
that cause compression and rarefaction of that medium. The description
of sound may include any characteristic of such sound, including duration,
intensity and frequency.
SOUND LEVEL
The weighted sound-pressure level obtained by the use of
a sound-level meter and frequency weighting network, such as A, B,
or C as specified in American National Standards Institute specifications
for sound-level meters (ANSI S1.4-197, or the latest approved revision
thereof). If the frequency weighting employed is not indicated, the
A-weighting shall apply.
SOUND-LEVEL METER
An instrument which includes a microphone, amplifier, RMS
detector, integrator or time averager, output meter, and weighting
networks used to measure sound-pressure levels.