Definitions.
15 RCNY § 28-109
in effect§ 28-109 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the meaning of terms shall be as follows (unless the context specifically indicates otherwise):
ASTM. "ASTM" shall mean ASTM International, the international standards organization.
Canted Panel. "Canted Panel" shall mean a tilted panel of noise mitigation material that extends a noise barrier to protect upper floor receptors from noise sources.
Insertion Loss. "Insertion Loss" shall mean the reduction in noise level at the receptor's location attributable to the introduction of a noise barrier, muffler, or other mitigation measure.
Jersey Bases. "Jersey Bases," also known as concrete traffic dividers or jersey barriers, shall mean movable concrete bases used in construction that can accommodate fencing poles to which noise curtain material can be attached.
Noise absorptive quilt. "Noise absorptive quilt" shall mean padded light-weight porous material sewn together into a quilt-like pattern and then attached to one side of a vinyl sheet.
Noise Barrier. "Noise Barrier" shall mean a structure used for the purpose of placing near a noise source to reduce the noise level measurable at a receptor location. This can consist of noise resistant materials such as plywood, timbers, trailer containers, or noise curtains.
Noise curtain. "Noise curtain" shall mean noise control product comprised of (typically) 1/4-inch thick vinyl sheet, to act as a noise resistant material, with some noise absorptive quilt material attached on one side of the vinyl as well.
Noise Pathway Controls. "Noise Pathway Controls" shall mean noise mitigation techniques placed between the source of noise and the receptor.
Noise-resistant material. "Noise-resistant material" shall mean material that has sufficient mass and stiffness to resist noise from transmitting through the material.
Receptor. "Receptor," also known as receiving property, shall mean real property, including but not limited to buildings, grounds, offices and dwelling units, from which sound levels from sound sources outside such property may be measured.
Responsible party. "Responsible party" shall mean, with respect to any activity regulated or covered by these rules, the owner of the premises on or where such activity occurs, and any agent of the owner engaged in such activity or any participant in such activity, including contractors and subcontractors. Any agency of the City of New York may also be a responsible party.
Sound Transmission Class (STC). The "Sound Transmission Class", or "STC rating", shall mean a single index number used to describe a solid panel or material's ability to prevent noise from transferring directly through it. Determination of a material's STC is done in accordance with ASTM Test Method E 90.
(Amended City Record 3/15/2017, eff. 4/14/2017)
§ 28-109 Appendix – Federal Highway Administration Roadway Construction Noise Model User's Guide, Jan. 2006.
CA/T Equipment 50 ft Noise Emission Reference Levels and Usage Factors – All noise levels expressed in A-weighted decibels with RMS "slow" time constant
Label ID Equipment Description Impact Device? Usage Factor (%) Spec 721.560 Lmax @ 50 ft (dBA, slow) Actual Measured Lmax @ 50 ft (dBA, slow)
A All Other Equipment > 5 HP No 50 85 n/a
B Auger Drill Rig No 20 85 84
C Backhoe No 40 80 78
D Bar Bender No 20 80 80
E Blasting Yes N/A 94 n/a
F Boring Jack Power Unit No 50 80 83
G Chain Saw No 20 85 84
H Clam Shovel (dropping) Yes 20 93 87
I Compactor (ground) No 20 80 83
J Compressor (air) No 40 80 78
K Concrete Batch Plant No 15 83 83
L Concrete Mixer Truck No 40 85 79
M Concrete Pump Truck No 20 82 81
N Concrete Saw No 20 90 90
O Crane No 16 85 81
P Dozer No 40 85 82
Q Drill Rig Truck No 20 84 79
R Drum Mixer No 50 80 80
S Dump Truck No 40 84 76
T Excavator No 40 85 81
U Flat Bed Truck No 40 84 74
V Front End Loader No 40 80 79
W Generator No 50 82 81
X Generator (<25KVA, VMS signs) No 50 70 73
Y Gradall No 40 85 83
Z Grader No 40 85 85
AA Grapple (on backhoe) No 40 85 87
AB Horizontal Boring Hydr. Jack No 25 80 82
AC Hydra Break Ram Yes 10 90 90
AD Impact Pile Driver Yes 20 95 101
AE Jackhammer Yes 20 85 89
AF Man Lift No 20 85 75
AG Mounted Impact Hammer (hoe ram) Yes 20 90 90
AH Pavement Scarafier No 20 85 90
AI Paver No 50 85 77
AJ Pickup Truck No 40 55 75
AK Pneumatic Tools No 50 85 85
AL Pumps No 50 77 81
AM Refrigerator Unit No 100 82 73
AN Rivet Buster/chipping gun Yes 20 85 79
AO Rock Drill No 20 85 81
AP Roller No 20 85 80
AQ Sand Blasting No 20 85 96
AR Scraper No 40 85 84
AS Shears (on backhoe) No 40 85 96
AT Slurry Plant No 100 78 78
AU Slurry Trenching Machine No 50 82 80
AV Soil Mix Drill Rig No 50 80 80
AW Tractor No 40 84 84
AX Vacuum Excavator (Vac-truck) No 40 85 85
AY Vacuum Street Sweeper No 10 80 82
AZ Ventilation Fan No 100 85 79
BA Vibrating Hopper No 50 85 87
BB Vibratory Concrete Mixer No 20 80 80
BC Vibratory Pile Driver No 20 95 101
BD Warning Horn No 5 85 83
BE Water Jet deleading No 20 85 92
BF Welder/Torch No 40 73 74
Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCrules/0-0-0-29258Fetched: 10/24/2026