As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
AIRBORNE SOUND
Sound that reaches the point of interest by propagation through
the air. Approved sound-measuring equipment shall meet ANSI SI.4 1971
standards as described under the definition of "dB(A)" below.
AIR COMPRESSOR
A device which draws in air or gas, compresses it and delivers
it at a higher pressure.
AIR-CONDITIONING AND AIR-HANDLING DEVICE
Any device that is designed to be used or is actually used
to cool, move or condition air, including but not limited to air conditioners,
cooling towers, fans and blowers.
AMBIENT NOISE
The all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment,
being usually a composite of sounds from many sources, near and far.
A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVEL
The sound-pressure level in decibels as measured on a sound-level
meter using the A-weighing network. The level so read is designated
"dB(A)."
CONSTRUCTION
Any activity necessary or incidental to the erection, demolition,
assembling, altering, installing or equipping of buildings, public
or private highways, roads, premises, parks, utility lines or other
property, including but not limited to related activities, such as
land clearing, grading, earthmoving, excavating, blasting, filling
and landscaping.
CONSTRUCTION DEVICE
Any powered device or equipment designed and intended for
use in construction. Examples of construction devices are air compressors,
bulldozers, backhoes, trucks, shovels, derricks and cranes.
CONSTRUCTION SITE
Any location, including land and water, where construction
takes place.
dB
The abbreviation of decibel.
dB(A)
The A-weighted sound level in decibels, as measured by a
general-purpose sound meter complying with the provisions of the American
National Standards Institute specifications for sound-level meters,
properly calibrated and operated on the A-weighing network.
DECIBEL
The unit for measuring the volume of a sound, based upon
the pressure level of a sound. For the purpose of this chapter, the
standard reference pressure stated herein will be used to assure a
consistent and standard reference for measuring sound. The sound-pressure
level measured in decibels is equal to 20 times the logarithm to the
base 10 of the ratio of the effective pressure of the sound measured.
DEVICE
Any machine, mechanism or equipment which is intended to
or which actually produces sound or vibrations.
DISCRETE TONE
A sound wave whose instantaneous sound pressure varies essentially
as a simple sinusoidal function of time.
EMERGENCY OPERATION
(1)
The operation or parking of an authorized emergency
vehicle when such vehicle is engaged in transporting a sick or injured
person, responding to or working or assisting at the scene of an accident,
disaster, public call, alarm of fire or any other emergency.
(2)
The work or activity that is necessary to prevent
or recover from an emergency, including but not limited to work to
repair electric, gas, water, sewerage and/or telephone services.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
A system which removes and transports air or gas from a device.
FREQUENCY
A function period in time which is the reciprocal of the
period and which is measured by the number of oscillations or cycles
per second, expressed in hertz (Hz).
HOMEOWNERS' LIGHT RESIDENTIAL OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
All engine- or motor-powered garden or maintenance tools
intended for repetitive use in residential areas, capable of being
used by a homeowner. Examples are lawn mowers, garden tools, riding
tractors, snowblowers, power shovels and snowplows.
Hz
The abbreviation for hertz, and is equivalent to cycles per
second.
IMPULSIVE SOUND
A sound of short duration, usually less than one second,
and of high intensity, with an abrupt onset and rapid delay. Examples
include an explosion or discharge of a firearm.
L10
The A-weighted sound level measured with slow response that
is exceeded 10% of the time in any one-hour interval. The measurement
time interval need not be one hour, provided that the measurement
results are representative of a one-hour interval.
L90
The A-weighted sound level measured with slow response that
is exceeded 90% of the time in any one-hour interval. The measurement
time interval need not be one hour, provided that the measurement
results are representative of a one-hour interval.
MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT
The weight of the vehicle unladen, plus the weight of the
maximum load to be carried by such vehicle during the registration
period or the maximum gross weight for which the vehicle is registered,
whichever is greater.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Every vehicle operated or driven upon a public highway, which
is propelled by any power other than muscular power.
MUFFLER
A device for abating the sound of escaping gases of an internal
combustion engine or other sound source.
NOISE-SENSITIVE ZONE
An area adjacent to a site, including but not limited to
any authorized school, church, house of worship, senior citizen center,
day-care center, hospital or nursing home, which requires specific
noise limitations.
PAVING BREAKER
Any powered construction device that is designed to be used
or is actually used to cut or trench pavement subbase, macadam, gravel,
concrete or hard ground.
PERSON
Includes the singular and plural and also any natural person,
firm, corporation, political subdivision, government agency, association,
club, partnership, society or any other form of association or organization
or any legal entity whatsoever.
PUBLIC HIGHWAY
Any highway, road, street, avenue, public place, public driveway
or any other public way.
SOUND
An oscillation in pressure, stress, particle displacement
or other physical parameter in a medium with internal forces (American
National Standards Institute terminology).
SOUND LEVEL
The weighted pressure level, measured by the use of a metering
characteristic and the weighing A, B and C (American National Standards
Institute terminology). For purposes of enforcing and interpreting
the provisions of this chapter, unless a different frequency weighing
is indicated, the A-weighing slow response shall apply.
SOUND-LEVEL METER
An instrument, including a microphone, an amplifier, an output
meter and frequency-weighing networks for the measurement of sound
levels (American National Standards Institute terminology).
SOUND-REPRODUCTION DEVICE
Any device that is designed to be used or is actually used
for the production or reproduction of sound, including but not limited
to any musical instrument, radio, television, recorder, phonograph
or any other sound-amplifying equipment.
SOUND TRUCK
Any vehicle having mounted thereon or attached thereto sound-amplifying
equipment.