Rules & Regulation
In general for commercial vessels the rules concerning noise levels onboard are quite simple and few. It is basically a set of dB(A) levels given for a range of different positions onboard. These settings are given in the IMO res. A.468(XII).
The basic IMO rules do not specify other relevant issues of sound wellness. But especially within offshore modules, cruise liners and ferries more focus is made towards noise, and therefore we see additional national rules for the offshore industry along with comfort class rules from all major Class Societies. And of course the owner can add his own stricter requirements.
A small cut from Lloyds’ Register seen below.
“Provisional Rules for Passenger and Crew Accommodation Comfort, January 2004” .
They have a notation system which differs in passenger areas and crew areas, and then in several levels.
- Overall seen the marine and offshore world of rules & regulations is quite complex. It can be necessary to investigate a large range of documents to ensure fulfilment of rules, but at the same time many of the requirements are actually basic regulations.
Most rules within noise only look at simple sound energy levels and not further parameters, i.e. reverberation, which could aid the “sound wellness” The challenge is therefore to combine the rules & regulations with professional sound engineering and design.
Basic rules are given by IMO, but for many countries the national marine authorities add stronger regulations to ensure the health, safety and work environment for the crews. For the marine vessels all Class Societies additionally have guidelines and comfort class’ing.
For offshore installations rules are mainly given by the national authorities, and these are in most countries the “Energy Departments” On top of these we look at customer specifications, especially from large cruise line companies, major oil companies and common industry guidelines. Please find below a listing of examples of rules and guidelines.SOLAS II-1 reg 36 - HSC 2000 Code, Chp 10.4
- IMO Res A.468(XII) Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships
- NORSOK S-002 Working environment aug2004
- Danish Energy Authority - Noise Guide bekg54 jan06
- NORSOK C-002 Architectural Components and Equipment 1997-11-02
- Norway Marine Authority - Work Enviroment
- Class Societies ( DNV, LR, ABS, BV... ) Comfort Class
- Lloyd’s Register Provisional Rules on Noise Comfort Class
- DNV Tentative rules for classification of ships, 2005
- GL Harmony Class - Rules on rating noise and vibration for comfort, Cruise ships, 2003
- BV Service notations - comfort onboard, 2000
- ABS Guide for crew habitability on ships, 2001
- RINA Rules for the evaluation of noise and vibration comfort on board passenger ships, 1999
- National Environmental Authorities
Our engineers will be available for further assistance.
