In the absence of quantitative guidelines for allowable noise and vibration levels, there is little recourse in the event of an unsatisfactory outcome. A comprehensive technical specification, including limits on noise and vibration, provides an owner, architect or builder with the following benefits. The owner's expectations with respect to noise and vibration are unambiguous. Defined levels help determine the scope of appropriate engineering solutions. Defined levels provide a means to estimate the cost of treatment options early in a project.
Defined levels provide the measure against which the finished project is judged.
Levels contained in a technical specification can be enforced under the terms of a contract. We routinely provide engineering services to the world's most prestigious shipyards, and those desiring a level of comfort comparable with the world's premier luxury vessels. We are therefore uniquely qualified to translate an owner's desires into quantitative, realistic and achievable noise and vibration level specifications prior to soliciting bids for construction. A specification should always be reviewed to ensure that the noise and vibration limits are realistic and within cost and weight budgets. It is obviously better to discuss the prospect of relaxing noise limits in contract negotiations than upon discovering a noise problem during an acceptance sea trial.