Overview
EN ISO 2922:2020 (ISO 2922:2020) defines standardized conditions for measuring airborne sound emitted by vessels on inland waterways and in harbours. It gives requirements to obtain reproducible and comparable noise data for all types of watercraft (sea‑going vessels, harbour vessels, dredgers and non‑displacement craft), excluding powered recreational craft covered by the ISO 14509 series. All results are referred to a reference distance of 25 m and the standard applies provided the ship behaves like a point source at that distance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measurement quantities: A‑weighted sound levels, sound exposure and specific metrics such as LpASmax (maximum A‑weighted sound pressure level, time weighting slow).
- Reference distance: Noise results are normalized to a 25 m reference distance; the standard includes a formula to compute sound pressure level at 25 m.
- Equipment & calibration: Specifications for sound level meters, calibrators and windscreens; operational checks and periodic verification (referencing IEC/IEC standards).
- Measurement procedures: Defined test courses for moving vessels and procedures for stationary vessels, microphone positions and distances, and operating conditions (engines, loading, doors/windows).
- Environmental & site conditions: Test site selection, background noise assessment (background integration time specified as 5 min), and acceptable weather/sea state limits (surf/weather limitation: sea state 1 during survey period).
- Test types: Distinguishes acceptance tests (initial compliance) and monitoring tests (periodic checks for changes).
- Uncertainty & reporting: Guidance on measurement uncertainty and mandatory contents of the test report to ensure traceability and comparability.
Practical applications
- Compliance testing for new-build vessels and retrofits (acceptance tests).
- Routine environmental noise monitoring of port operations and vessel traffic.
- Acoustic design decisions during shipbuilding and machinery selection.
- Regulatory enforcement and permitting for ports and waterways.
- Community noise assessments, port planning and mitigation strategy development.
Who uses this standard
- Acoustic consultants and testing laboratories
- Shipbuilders, naval architects and machinery suppliers
- Port authorities, harbour masters and environmental regulators
- Manufacturers and vendors of marine equipment
- Research organizations and maritime certification bodies
Related standards (normative references)
By following EN ISO 2922:2020, stakeholders can produce consistent, verifiable airborne noise data for vessels-supporting regulatory compliance, quieter ship design and improved port environmental management.
