NOISE ONBOARD VESSELS – IMO Noise Level Code for ships is mandatory since 2014
Pursuant to these new rules the Code will apply to all vessels of 1,600 gt or more which:
- Were built under a contract signed after 1 July 2014 with the keel laid after 1 January 2015 are on a delivery date on or after 1 July 2018
- Under the Code there is provision for noise survey reports, guidance on noise issues for SMS, as well suggestions for dealing with noise issues on board vessels.
The intention is to provide safer and more healthy work places for crew. Specifically to assist in clear communication and the recognizing of alarms, protect seafarers hearing and to ensure seafarers can have a minimum level of comfort for their rest times.
Loss prevention
Noise on board vessels, as well as ambient noise when in port, can have a significant impact on the quality of rest for seafarers. Whether seafarers get enough rest, specifically “sound” sleep is essential to avoiding fatigue related issues and ensuring a safe working environment.
Wall Coverings and IMO Certification
Under IMO certification, all wall coverings must be fire resistant. In certain areas onboard, soundproofing may be a necessary function – for example in helping to block out engine sounds in those areas closest to the engine rooms. Above all, these features need to be coupled with high quality design and material selection. A crucial turning point for wall coverings in cruise was the introduction of fire safety regulations. Before this regulation came into place, cruise designers had free reign when it came to material choice, meaning vessels would be outfitted with a larger range of wall coverings than today – often a selection of real woods, fitting the classic ocean liner aesthetic, finished with a certified fire-retardant lacquer. When stronger regulation came into place at the beginning of the 21st century, these woods were replaced to comply, with the only option available – laminate. It is only recently that real woods and other attractive materials have been successfully engineered to comply with IMO regulations. This is a pivotal moment for the cruise industry – a moment in time in which new materials are becoming available to designers, expanding the possibilities of their designs. Wall coverings face the same design and material challenges as all other materials in the cruise industry. The most critical and topical of these challenges are sustainability, and hygiene.
Source: IMO and Cruise Ship Interior Expo
