[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Haverford 3-12-1973 by Ord. No. 1509. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
The following words and terms, as used herein
shall have the following meanings:
A noise which normally continues for a period of time necessary for an operator of a sound-level meter and associated band analyzer to obtain accurate readings in all frequency bands, as set forth in the tables in § 117-3 hereof.
The hours between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
The Director of Code Enforcement.
[Amended 6-30-1986 by Ord. No. 1960]
The hours between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership.
The location on the property adjacent to that property which
contains the air conditioning unit or units and equipment or other
types of mechanical equipment or apparatus which is the source of
noise for the complaint. All noise measurements shall be taken at
the property line of the complainant or within the property of said
complainant.
[Added 12-13-1976 by Ord. No. 1649]
Any noise which does not normally continue for a period of
time necessary to obtain decibel readings in all frequency bands.
It shall be unlawful for any person in the operation
of an air conditioning unit or units and equipment or other types
of mechanical equipment or apparatus installed in or attached to buildings
or located on premises appurtenant to buildings to make or produce
excessive noise, thereby causing annoyance, inconvenience or detriment
to the public or to any other person or persons. Noise shall be considered
excessive if the sound pressure from the air-conditioning unit or
units and equipment or other type of mechanical equipment or apparatus
exceeds the limits hereinafter set forth.
A.Â
During daytime hours, the maximum permissible sound
pressure levels at specified points of measurement for continuous
noise radiated from premises shall not exceed the following:
Sound Pressure Level
(decibels re 0.0002 microbar)
| |||
---|---|---|---|
Frequency Band
(cycles per second)
|
Inside Table
|
Outside Table
| |
20 – 75
|
73
|
76
| |
75 – 150
|
66
|
69
| |
150 – 300
|
60
|
64
| |
300 – 600
|
55
|
59
| |
600 – 1,200
|
52
|
57
| |
1,200 – 2,400
|
50
|
55
| |
2,400 – 4,800
|
48
|
53
| |
4,800 – 10,000
|
47
|
52
|
B.Â
During nighttime hours, the maximum permissible sound
pressure levels at specified points of measurement for continuous
noise radiated from premises shall not exceed the following:
Sound Pressure Level
(decibels re 0.0002 microbar)
| |||
---|---|---|---|
Frequency Band
(cycles persecond)
|
Inside Table
|
Outside Table
| |
20 – 75
|
69
|
76
| |
75 – 150
|
62
|
69
| |
150 – 300
|
56
|
64
| |
300 – 600
|
50
|
59
| |
600 – 1,200
|
47
|
57
| |
1,200 – 2,400
|
45
|
55
| |
2,400 – 4,800
|
43
|
53
| |
4,800 – 10,000
|
42
|
52
|
C.Â
When the source of complaint originates inside of
a building or structure, the microphone shall be placed three feet
from the nearest window in the room where the source of complaint
originates and not less than three feet above the floor, in which
case the inside table of sound pressure levels shall be used.
D.Â
When the source of complaint originates outside, the
microphone shall be placed at the source of the complaint but no closer
than three feet to any wall and not less than three feet above the
ground, in which case the outside table of sound-pressure levels shall
be used.
E.Â
If as a result of such test the air-conditioning unit
and equipment or other mechanical equipment or apparatus is found
to violate the provisions of this chapter, the operation thereof shall
forthwith be discontinued and not be resumed unless and until proper
corrections have been made therein, which shall first have been approved
by the Director of Code Enforcement.
[Amended 6-30-1986 by Ord. No. 1960]
No person shall create any sporadic noise which,
when measured in the 600 to 1,200 cycles per second frequency band,
exceeds a soundpressure level of 57 decibels during daylight hours
or 52 decibels during nighttime hours.
Sound levels shall be measured with a sound-level
meter and associated octave band analyzer manufactured according to
standards prescribed by the American Standards Association.
A.Â
Traffic noises, noises created by governmental units
and noises created by emergency and civil defense activities shall
be exempt from the application of this chapter.
B.Â
Noises created by construction work and the repair
and maintenance of any building or structure shall be exempt, but
only during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
[Amended 6-13-1988 by Ord. No. 2019; 3-12-2012 by Ord. No.
2660]
Any person violating any of the provisions of
this chapter shall, in addition to the other charges hereinbefore
provided for each offense, upon summary conviction before any District
Justice of the Peace, pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 and costs of
prosecution; and in default of one payment of the fine and costs,
the violator may be sentenced to the county jail for a term of not
more than 90 days. Each and every day in which any person, firm or
corporation shall be in violation of this ordinance shall constitute
a separate offense.