PROTECTION AGAINST

NOISE ON BOARD SHIPS

Hideyuki SHURI
Tokai University
Tripartite 16th October 2010
Tokyo

Contents

Introduction and Background

Proposals for protection against noise on board ships

Discussion and action of the Sub-Committee in DE53

Japans proposals for a revision of the Code

Conclusions

Introduction and Background

1. The European Union Member States (27) and the
European Commission proposed the development of
amendments to SOLAS regulation -1/36 and a revision
of the Code on noise levels on board ships at MSC 83
session on October 2007.
2. MSC approved a new work program item for the SubCommittee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE),
Protection against noise on board ships.

The Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment should

consider the possibilities of revising SOLAS regulation -1/36
with the aim of incorporating mandatory noise level limits
for machinery spaces, control rooms and workshops based
on a revised Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships. The SubCommittee should further consider the introduction of
mandatory regulations to mandate noise level limits in other
work and living spaces, where it is found necessary and

Proposals for protection against noise on

board ships
The development of amendments of SOLAS
regulation -1/36 to incorporate mandatory
noise regulations.
A revision of the existing Code on noise
levels on board ships, IMO resolution A.468
().

Proposal for revised text in SOLAS

regulation -1/36 in DE53/10
Regulation 36: Protection against noise
Measures shall be taken to reduce the noise on board as far
as possible and in any event it shall not exceed the
mandatory maximum noise limits and the maximum
noise exposure limits stipulated in IMO resolution
A.468 (), chapter 4.2 and chapter 5. The actual
noise levels shall be assessed on the basis of
measurement conditions stipulated in chapter 2 and
3 or equivalent internationally recognised standards.

At noise levels above 85dB(A), ear protection shall be

used. At noise levels above 80dB(A), individual
hearing protectors will be made available.
The regulation should apply to new ships and major
conversion ships.
5

Proposal for amendments of IMO resolution

A.468 ()
Chapter 4.2 : Maximum noise limits and
spaces
A 5dB(A) reduction of the maximum noise level to
IMO resolution A.468 () for machinery spaces,
workshops, mess rooms, cabins, etc.
A new room category and related noise level limits,
which are different from IMO resolution A.468 ()
Application to commercial ships of all sizes.
Current Code : New ships of 1,600GT and over.
Some types of ships, such as fishing vessels and
dynamically support craft, dont be applied.

Proposals for noise level limits in DE53/10

dB(A)

Level
difference

1. Machinery spaces, including steering engine

105

-5

2. In case of stopped machinery in machine spaces

85

n.a.

3. Work shops

80

-5

4. Separate separator room

85

-5

5. Machinery control rooms and manoeuvring rooms

70

-5

6. Gallery

70

-5

7. Wheelhouse, including radio room

65

8. Listening posts

70

9. Offices in the accommodation and deck control rooms

65

10. Shops and newsagents

65

11. Other work areas

85

-5

12. Treatment rooms (infirmary)

60

13. Sleeping quarters

55

-5

14. Recreational and exercise rooms

65

15. Messrooms and other internal accommodation spaces

60

-5

16. External Recreation areas

70

-5

Locations
Work area

Recreation areas

Proposal for amendments of IMO resolution

A.468 ()
Chapter 2 : Operating conditions for
measurement
At a load of minimum 90% of the installed maximum
continuous rating (MCR)
In connection with dynamic positioning if this is a
general part of the ships operation
Current Code : The main propulsion machinery should be
run at normal design service shaft speed.

Chapter 5 : Noise exposure limits

Introduction of noise exposure limits according to ISO
1999:1990, LEX,8H=85dB(A)
Current Code : LEX,24H=80dB(A) as same as
LEX,8H=85dB(A)
8

Proposal for amendments of IMO resolution

A.468 ()
Chapter 6 : Acoustic insulation between
accommodation spaces
Airborne sound insulation, cf. ISO 140/3 and ISO
717/1
Locations

Acc. to DE53/10

IMO A.468
()

Bulkhead in accommodation in
Rw : min. 35dB
general
The
airborne
sound insulation
of the final
Deck
in accommodation
in general
Rwdesign
: min. measured
40dB
apparent reduction factor R , must not be more than 2dB
Between
sleeping
quarters
and R
open
Rw : min. 45dB
the
stipulated
reduction
factors
.
deck, accommodation spaces,
galley, pantry, recreational and
hobby rooms as well as machinery
spaces

30dB
in
ship the
worse than
45dB

Discussion and action of the SubCommittee in DE53

The Sub-Committee agreed as following
views.
The Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships
should be revised as a first step.
The revised Code should not be applied to
existing ships.
Differences in ship types and sizes should be
taken into account.
The provisions of the Code should be made
mandatory as a second step.
10

Japans proposals for a revision of the Code

Noise level limits
The current noise limits stipulated in the Code
should be a basis. The Code should apply to
new ships of 1,600GT and over.
Revision of the current noise level limits should
be based on technical analysis.
Same noise level limits should be used for
machinery spaces regardless of ship size.
Differentiated noise level limits by ship sizes
should be used for accommodation spaces.
10,000GT should be used as a threshold for
differentiation.
11

Noise levels of machinery spaces and

accommodation spaces
Size (GT)

number

5,000 10,000

10,000 20,000

20,000 40,000

40,000 80,000

80,000 over

total

12

39

Japans proposals for noise level limits

1,600GT10,000GT

10,000GT-

1. Machinery spaces (continuously manned)

90

90

2. Machinery spaces (not continuously manned)

110

110

3. Machinery control rooms

75

75

4. Workshops

85

85

5. Non-specified work spaces

90

90

1. Navigation bridge and chartrooms

65

65

2. Listening port, navigation bridge wings

70

70

3. Radio rooms

60

60

4. Radar rooms

65

65

1. Cabins and hospitals

60

55

2. Mess rooms, Recreation rooms

65

60

3. Recreation rooms

65

60

4. Open recreation areas

75

75

5. Offices

65

60

1.Galleys

75

75

2. Serveries and pantries

75

75

Locations
Work spaces

Navigation spaces

Accommodation
spaces

Service spaces

13

Japans proposals for a revision of the Code

Values to be used as a yardstick
Predicted values and measured values are
possible yardstick for complying with the
Code.
It is necessary to develop reliable prediction
methods to minimize prediction gaps in case
of using predicted value.

Measurement conditions
According to the current Code, the main
propulsion machinery should be run at normal
design service shaft speed.

Application/exemption of the Code

The Code should be applied to only new ships.
14

An example of ship noise level prediction

- Statistical Energy Analysis -

Engine room & accommodation structure model

Generators

110

100

Main engine

measured
predicted

Sound Pressure Level dB(A)

90

80

70

60

Main engine
50
floating floor
40

30

15

c
deck

poop
upper
deck
deck
Point of measurement

2nd
deck

3rd
deck

lower
floor

Predicted noise levels and

locations of noise sources

Conclusions
International noise regulations are necessary to
ensure seafarers health and safety at work.
There are a lot of impacts on ship design and
equipment for mandatory noise regulations
and a revision of noise level limits in the
current Code, IMO resolution A.468 ().
Different sized or typed ships have different
noise levels and smaller ships in particular may
have difficulty in complying with the Code.
Further discussions are necessary to develop
international noise regulations with sufficient
experiences and information.
16

Thank you for your

attention

Thank you for your

attention
17