OAR 340-035-0015: Definitions

As used in this division: (1) “Air Carrier Airport” means any airport that serves air carriers holding Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity issued by the Civil Aeronautic Board. (2) “Airport Master Plan” means any long-term development plan for the airport established by the airport proprietor. (3) “Airport Noise Abatement Program” means a Commission-approved program designed to achieve noise compatibility between an airport and its environs. (4) “Airport Proprietor” means the person who holds title to an airport. (5) “Ambient Noise” means the all-encompassing noise associated with a given environment, being usually a composite of sounds from many sources near and far. (6) “Annual Average Day-Night Airport Noise Level” means the average, on an energy basis, of the daily Day-Night Airport Noise Level over a 12-month period. (7) “Any One Hour” means any period of 60 consecutive minutes during the 24-hour day. (8) “Closed Course Motorcycle Racing Vehicle” means any motorcycle racing vehicle that is operated in competition or practice session on a closed course motor sports facility, i.e., where public access is restricted and admission is generally charged. (9) “Commission” means the Environmental Quality Commission. (10) “Construction” shall mean building or demolition work and shall include all activities thereto such as clearing of land, earthmoving, and landscaping, but shall not include the production of construction materials. (11) “Day-Night Airport Noise Level (Ldn)” means the Equivalent Noise Level produced by airport/aircraft operations during a 24-hour time period, with a 10 decibel penalty applied to the level measured during the nighttime hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (12) “Department” means the Department of Environmental Quality. (13) “Director” means the Director of the Department. (14) “Drag Racing Vehicle” means any racing vehicle used to compete in any acceleration competition initiated from a standing start and continued over a straight-line course. (15) “Emergency Equipment” means noise-emitting devices required to avoid or reduce the severity of accidents. Such equipment includes, but is not limited to, safety valves and other unregulated pressure relief devices. (16) “Equivalent Noise Level (Leq)” means the equivalent steady state sound level in A-weighted decibels for a stated period of time which contains the same acoustic energy as the actual time-varying sound level for the same period of time. (17) “Existing Industrial or Commercial Noise Source” means any industrial or commercial noise source for which installation or construction was commenced prior to January 1, 1975. (18) “Farm Tractor” means any motor vehicle designed primarily for use in agricultural operations for drawing or operating plows, mowing machines, or other implements of husbandry. (19) “Four Wheel Drive Racing Vehicle” means any four-wheeled racing vehicle with at least one wheel on the front and rear axle driven by the engine or any racing vehicle participating in an event with predominantly four wheel drive racing vehicles. (20) “Go-Kart Racing Vehicle” means a light-weight four-wheeled racing vehicle of the type commonly known as a go-kart. (21) “Impulse Sound” means either a single pressure peak or a single burst (multiple pressure peaks) for a duration of less than one second as measured on a peak unweighted sound pressure measuring instrument or “C” weighted, slow response instrument and specified by dB and dBC respectively. (22) “In-Use Motor Vehicle” means any motor vehicle which is not a new motor vehicle. (23) “Industrial or Commercial Noise Source” means that source of noise which generates industrial or commercial noise levels. (24) “Industrial or Commercial Noise Levels” means those noises generated by a combination of equipment, facilities, operations, or activities employed in the production, storage, handling, sale, purchase, exchange, or maintenance of a product, commodity, or service and those noise levels generated in the storage or disposal of waste products. (25) “Motorboat” as used in OAR 340-035-0025 means a watercraft propelled by an internal combustion engine but does not include a boat powered by an outboard motor or an inboard/outboard power package designed to exhaust beneath the surface of the water. (26) “Motorcycle” means any motor vehicle, except farm tractors, designed to travel on not more than three wheels which are in contact with the ground. (27) “Motor Sports Advisory Committee” means a committee appointed by the Director, from among the nominees, for the purpose of technical advice on racing activities and to recommend Exceptions to these rules as specified in OAR 340-035-0040(12). This Committee shall consist of: (a) One permanent public member nominated by a noise impacted group or association; and (b) One representative of each of the racing vehicle types identified in OAR 340-035-0040(2) as nominated by the respective sanctioning bodies; and (c) The program manager of the Department’s noise pollution control section who shall also serve as the departmental staff liaison to this body; and (d) An attorney; and (e) An acoustical engineer. (28) “Motor Sports Facility” means any facility, track or course upon which racing events are conducted. (29) “Motor Sports Facility Noise Impact Boundaries” means the daily 55 dBA day-night (Ldn) noise contours around the motor sports facility representing events that may occur on the day of maximum projected use. (30) “Motor Sports Facility Owner” means the owner or operator of a motor sports facility or an agent or designee of the owner or operator. When a Racing Event is held on public land, the event organizer (i.e., promoter) shall be considered the motor sports facility owner for the purposes of these rules. (31) “Motor Vehicle” means any vehicle which is, or is designed to be self-propelled or is designed or used for transporting persons or property. This definition excludes airplanes, but includes watercraft. (32) “New Airport” means any airport for which installation, construction, or expansion of a runway commenced after January 1, 1980. (33) “New Industrial or Commercial Noise Source” means any industrial or commercial noise source for which installation or construction was commenced after January 1, 1975 on a site not previously occupied by the industrial or commercial noise source in question. (34) “New Motor Sports Facility” is any permanent motor sports facility for which construction or installation was commenced after January 1, 1982. Any recreational park or similar facility which initiates sanctioned racing after this date shall be considered a new motor sports facility. (35) “New Motor Vehicle” means a motor vehicle whose equitable or legal title has never been transferred to a person who in good faith purchases the new motor vehicle for purposes other than resale. The model year of such vehicle shall be the year so specified by the manufacturer, or if not so specified, the calendar year in which the new motor vehicle was manufactured. (36) “Noise Impact Boundary” means a contour around the airport, any point on which is equal to the airport noise criterion. (37) “Noise Level” means weighted sound pressure level measured by use of a metering characteristic with an “A” frequency weighting network and reported as dBA. (38) “Noise Sensitive Property” means real property normally used for sleeping, or normally used as schools, churches, hospitals or public libraries. Property used in industrial or agricultural activities is not Noise Sensitive Property unless it meets the above criteria in more than an incidental manner. (39) “Octave Band Sound Pressure Level” means the sound pressure level for the sound being measured within the specified octave band. The reference pressure is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter). (40) “Off-Road Recreational Vehicle” means any motor vehicle, including watercraft, used off public roads for recreational purposes. When a road vehicle is operated off-road the vehicle shall be considered an off-road recreational vehicle if it is being operated for recreational purposes. (41) “One-Third Octave Band Sound Pressure Level” means the sound pressure level for the sound being measured within the specified one-third octave band at the preferred frequencies. The reference pressure is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter). (42) “Open Course Motorcycle Racing Vehicle” means any motorcycle racing vehicle that is operated in competition on an open course motor sports facility, i.e., where public access is not generally restricted. This definition is intended to include the several types of motorcycles such as “enduro” and “cross country” that are used in events held in trail or other off-road environments. (43) “Oval Course Racing Vehicle” means any racing vehicle, not a motorcycle and not a sports car, which is operated upon a closed, oval-type motor sports facility. (44) “Person” means the United States Government and agencies thereof, any state, individual, public or private corporation, political subdivision, governmental agency, municipality, industry, co-partnership, association, firm, trust, estate, or any other legal entity whatever. (45) “Practice Sessions” means any period of time during which racing vehicles are operated at a motor sports facility, other than during racing events. Driver training sessions or similar activities which are not held in anticipation of a subsequent racing event, and which include only vehicles with a stock exhaust system, shall not be considered practice sessions. (46) “Preferred Frequencies” means those mean frequencies in Hertz preferred for acoustical measurements which for this purpose shall consist of the following set of values: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400, 500, 630, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150, 4000, 5000, 6300, 8000, 10,000, 12,500. (47) “Previously Unused Industrial or Commercial Site” means property which has not been used by any industrial or commercial noise source during the 20 years immediately preceding commencement of construction of a new industrial or commercial source on that property. Agricultural activities and silvicultural activities generating infrequent noise emissions shall not be considered as industrial or commercial operations for the purposes of this definition. (48) “Propulsion Noise” means that noise created in the propulsion of a motor vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, exhaust system noise, induction system noise, tire noise, cooling system noise, aerodynamic noise, and, where appropriate in the test procedure, braking system noise. This does not include noise created by road vehicle auxiliary equipment such as power take-offs and compressors. (49) “Public Roads” means any street, alley, road, highway, freeway, thoroughfare, or section thereof in this state used by the public or dedicated or appropriated to public use. (50) “Quiet Area” means any land or facility designated by the Commission as an appropriate area where the qualities of serenity, tranquility, and quiet are of extraordinary significance and serve an important public need, such as, without being limited to, a wilderness area, national park, state park, game reserve, wildlife breeding area, or amphitheater. The Department shall submit areas suggested by the public as quiet areas, to the Commission, with the Department’s recommendation. (51) “Racing Events” means any time, speed or distance competition using motor vehicles, conducted under a permit issued by the governmental authority having jurisdiction or under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body. This definition includes, but is not limited to, events on the surface of land and water. Any motor sports event not meeting this definition shall be subject to the ambient noise limits of OAR 340-035-0030(1)(d). (52) “Racing Vehicle” means any Motor Vehicle that is designed to be used exclusively in Racing Events or any New Motor Vehicle that has not been certified by its manufacturer as meeting the applicable noise limits of OAR 340-035-0025 or any vehicle participating in or practicing for a Racing Event. (53) “Recreational Park” means a facility open to the public for the operation of off-road recreational vehicles. (54) “Road Vehicle” means any motor vehicle registered for use on public roads, including any attached trailing vehicles. (55) “Road Vehicle Auxiliary Equipment” means those mechanical devices which are built in or attached to a road vehicle and are used primarily for the handling or storage of products in that motor vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, refrigeration units, compressors, compactors, chippers, power lifts, mixers, pumps, blowers, and other mechanical devices. (56) “Sound Pressure Level” (SPL) means 20 times the logarithm to the base 10 of the ratio of the root-mean-square pressure of the sound to the reference pressure. SPL is given in decibels (dB). The reference pressure is 20 micropascals (20 micronewtons per square meter). (57) “Special Motor Racing Event” means any racing event in which a substantial or significant number of out-of-state racing vehicles are competing or any event which has a special significance to the community and which has been recommended as a special motor racing event by the motor sports advisory committee and approved by the Department. (58) “Sports Car Racing Vehicle” means any racing vehicle which meets the requirements and specifications of the competition rules of any sports car organization. (59) “Statistical Noise Level” means the noise level which is equaled or exceeded a stated percentage of the time. An L10 = 65 dBA implies that in any hour of the day 65 dBA can be equaled or exceeded only 10% of the time, or for 6 minutes. (60) “Stock Exhaust System” means an original equipment manufacturer exhaust system or a replacement for original equipment for a street legal vehicle whose noise emissions do not exceed those of the original equipment. (61) “Temporary Autocross or Solo Course” means any area upon which a paved course motor sports facility is temporarily established. Typically such courses are placed on parking lots, or other large paved areas, for periods of one or two days. (62) “Top Fuel-Burning Drag Racing Vehicle” means a drag racing vehicle that operates using principally alcohol (more than 50 percent) or utilizes nitromethane as a component of its operating fuel and commonly known as top fuel and funny cars. (63) “Trackside” means a sound measuring point of 50 feet from the racing vehicle and specified in Motor Race Vehicle and Facility Sound Measurement and Procedure Manual, NPCS-35. (64) “Warning Device” means any device which signals an unsafe or potentially dangerous situation. (65) “Watercraft Racing Vehicle” means any racing vehicle which is operated upon or immediately above the surface of water. (66) “Well Maintained Muffler” means a device or combination of devices which effectively decreases the sound energy of internal combustion engine exhaust without a muffler by a minimum of 5 dBA at trackside. A well maintained muffler shall be free of defects or modifications that reduce its sound reduction capabilities. Each outlet of a multiple exhaust system shall comply with the requirements of this subsection, notwithstanding the total engine displacement versus muffler length requirements. Such a muffler shall be a: (a) Reverse gas flow device incorporating a multi-tube and baffle design; or a (b) Perforated straight core device, fully surrounded from beginning to end with a sound absorbing medium, not installed on a rotary engine: (A) At least 20 inches in inner core length when installed on any drag race engine exceeding 1600 cc (96.7 cubic inches) displacement; or (B) At least 12 inches in inner core length when installed on any non-motorcycle drag race engine equal to or less than 1600 cc (96.7 cubic inches) displacement; or (C) At least 6 inches in inner core length and installed at the outlet end of any four-cycle motorcycle drag race engine; or (D) At least 8 inches in inner core length when installed on any two-cycle motorcycle drag race engine; or an (c) Annular swirl flow (auger-type) device of: (A) At least 16 inches in swirl chamber length when installed on any drag race engine exceeding 1600 cc (96.7 cubic inches) displacement; or (B) At least 10 inches in swirl chamber length when installed on any drag race engine equal to or less than 1600 cc (96.7 cubic inches) displacement; or a (d) Stacked 360° diffuser disc device; or a (e) Turbocharger; or a (f) Go-kart muffler as defined by the International Karting Federation as specified in Motor Race Vehicle and Facility Sound Measurement and Procedure Manual, NPCS-35; or an (g) Original equipment manufacturer motorcycle muffler when installed on a motorcycle model such muffler was designated for by the manufacturer; or (h) Boat motor whose exhaust exits beneath the water surface during operation; or a (i) Formula Vee four-into-one header/collector when installed on a Formula Vee sports car racing vehicle; or a (j) Hughes-type Racing muffler; or (k) Any other device demonstrated effective and approved by the motor sports advisory committee and the Department. [Note: Referenced documents are not included in rule text. View them by clicking on the Tables link below to view a PDF of these documents.] [ED. NOTE: To view attachments referenced in rule text, click here to view rule.]