OAR 735-110-0000: Definitions Relevant to Sirens

The following definitions shall apply regarding rules and standards for sirens for ambulances and emergency vehicles: (1) “AAMVA” means the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, 1201 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 910, Washington D.C. 20036. (2) “ANS” means a standard adopted by the American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10018. (3) “Ambulance” means any privately or publicly owned motor vehicle that is regularly provided or offered to be provided for the emergency transportation of persons suffering from illness, injury or disability. (4) “CAC Title 13, Article 8” means recognized standards for sirens, compiled by the State of California. (Effective 10/31/81) (5) “Electromechanical Siren” means a siren with a stator and rotor driven by an electric motor. (6) “Electronic Siren” means a siren with an oscillator, amplifier and speaker. (7) “Emergency Vehicle” means a vehicle that is equipped with lights and sirens as required under ORS 815.230, 816.310, 820.350, and 820.370 and that is any of the following: (a) Operated by public police, fire or airport security agencies; (b) Designated as an emergency vehicle by a federal agency; or (c) Designated as an emergency vehicle in writing by the Manager of Transportation Safety. (8) “Hi-Lo” means a nonsiren sound, as defined in this rule. (9) “Manual” means a siren control that allows the operator to produce a wailing sound by alternately applying and releasing a momentary contact switch. (10) “Mechanical Siren” means a siren with a stator and rotor driven by a mechanical connection to a moving part of the vehicle or engine. (11) “Nonsiren Sound” means an audible device, such as a vehicle theft alarm, that produces: (a) An unvarying sound; (b) A varying sound that cycles at a rate faster than 400 cycles per minute; or (c) A discontinuous sound that repeats at rates lower than 90 cycles per minute or higher than 400 cycles per minute. (12) “SAE” means a standard or recommended practice of the Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15096. (13) “Siren” means a warning device that produces the audible sound readily identified with emergency vehicles. (14) “Transportation Safety” means the Transportation Safety Office of the Department of Transportation. (15) “Wail” means a siren sound that is a slow, continuous automatic cycling of increasing and decreasing frequencies and sound levels. (16) “Yelp” means a siren sound producing a rapid continuous automatic cycling of increasing and decreasing frequencies and sound levels. [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]