For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
dB(A). The sound pressure level in decibels measured on the "A" scale of a standard sound level meter having characteristics defined by the American National Standards Institute, Publication ANSI sl. 4-1971.
DECIBEL. A unit used to express the magnitude of sound pressure and sound intensity. The difference in decibels between two sound pressures is 20 times the common logarithm of their ratio. In sound pressure measurements, the sound pressure level of a given sound is defined to be 20 times the common logarithm of the ratio of that sound pressure to a reference pressure of 2 X 10-5 N-m2 (Newton's per meter squared). As an example of the effect of this formula, a three-decibel change in the sound pressure level corresponds to a doubling or halving of the sound intensity and a ten-decibel change corresponds to a ten-fold increase or decrease to one-tenth the former intensity.
(1988 Code, § 6.6500) (Ord. passed 1-18-1988)