§ 10-51. Definitions.

For the purpose of the article, whenever any of the following words, terms or definitions are used herein they shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context requires otherwise:

"Acoustical terminology" shall mean that contained in ASA S1.1—1960, American Standard Acoustical Terminology of the American National Standards Institute.

"Authorized emergency vehicle" shall mean the following:

(a)

All vehicles of the department of transportation of the state, designated as emergency vehicles by that department.

(b)

All police and fire vehicles of any municipality, or of any county or of the state.

(c)

Emergency vehicles of any of the several departments of the city.

(d)

Emergency vehicles of any public service corporation.

(e)

All ambulances and rescue vehicles.

"Decibel" shall mean a unit for measuring the intensity of a sound, the mathematical formula for which is expressed as the volume of sound which is equal to 10 times the logarithm of the ratio of the intensity of the sound to the intensity of a specified standard sound; abbreviated "dB."

"Discrete tone" shall mean a pure tone or a single frequency sound. This is expressed technically as a sound wave whose instantaneous sound pressure varies essentially as a single sinusoidal function of time.

"Fluctuating noise" shall mean a noise in which the loudness varies with time. This is expressed technically as a noise whose sound pressure level varies significantly and exceeds the ambient noise level.

"Impulsive noise" shall mean a very short, loud noise. It is a noise characterized by brief exertions of sound pressure which significantly exceed the ambient sound pressure.

"Intermittent noise" shall mean an interrupted noise which reoccurs at either regular or irregular intervals, excluding an impulsive noise. The sound pressure level of an intermittent noise will equal the ambient environmental level 2 or more times during the period of observation.

"Motor vehicle" shall mean any vehicle which is self-propelled except one which is operated on rails.

"Motorcycle" shall mean every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground.

"Motor-driven cycle" shall mean any motorcycle, and any motor scooter with a motor which produces not to exceed 5 brake horsepower, including every bicycle with a motor attached.

"Nonsteady noise" shall mean the same as a fluctuating noise.

"Period of observation" shall mean the time interval during which acoustical data and facts are obtained.

"Railroad" shall mean a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails.

"Railroad train" shall mean an engine propelled by steam, electric, diesel or gasoline power, with or without cars coupled thereto, operated on rails, and including motor vehicles so adapted while operating on rails.

"Sound pressure level" shall mean, in decibels, 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the pressure of the sound to the reference sound pressure. The reference is 0.0002 microbar. The sound pressure level may be evaluated using FLAT, A, B, or C scales as defined by the American National Standards Institute, and shall be labeled dB, dBA, dBB or dBC respectively.

"Steady noise" shall mean a nonfluctuating noise or a noise whose level remains essentially constant during the period of observation.

"Student housing facility" shall mean as that term is defined in section 28-2 of the city's zoning code.

"Zoning district" shall mean any of the several designated categories stating land use and building size, bulk and density requirements, which are contained and enumerated in the zoning code of the city, chapter 28.

(Code 1966, § 10A-14; Ord. No. 5193, § 1, 1-24-12)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.