Landscape contractors recently fired up their leaf blowers for a test where low scores won and high scores lost.
Palm Beach, Fla. police and code enforcement officers set up a noise testing site at Phipps Ocean Park to ensure landscaping equipment complies with town noise rules.
Rob Walton, lead code enforcement officer, stood at one end of the 50-foot site and landscapers at the other.
With decibel meter in hand, Walton watched the digital display as the noisy machines were put through their paces.
Any device reading more than 65 decibels from 50 feet away automatically failed.
The tests were free and voluntary.
Leaf blowers that passed the test received a sticker certifying that they complied with town ordinances. That will allow police and code enforcement officers to quickly assess compliance when they check equipment in use throughout the island.
Capt. Kirk Blouin said police are making random spot checks. "This is our kickoff, making people aware of it," he said.
Blouin said the ordinance, in effect for about a year, will be enforced strictly. It is based on recommendations issued by the American National Standards Institute.
Violators might receive a warning for a first offense, but it is more likely they will receive a written citation. Maximum fines can reach up to $250 per occurrence.
Scott Lewis, owner of Scott Lewis Gardening and Trimming, hauled out 14 leaf blowers for Wednesday's test. He said he supports the standard and its enforcement within the Town of Palm Beach.
"Some wanted to ban them (leaf blowers) altogether. Some thought we should have no standards," Lewis said. "It was a very good compromise."
He encouraged property owners to check with their own gardeners and landscapers to ascertain whether their leaf blowers comply with the town standard.
"Residents can be the eyes and ears of code enforcement," Lewis said.
Landscape contractors or property owners who were unable to attend Wednesday's testing session can call the Palm Beach Police Department's Code Enforcement Unit at 227-7080 to make arrangement to have their leaf blowers certified.