Newbuilding or conversion acceptance
Noise & Acoustics · SERVICE 13
PA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey
An emergency message must be heard, recognised and understood in the spaces where people may be located. Vessel Doctor measures public-address and general-alarm performance across representative onboard locations, including areas where machinery, ventilation, weather or occupational noise may mask the signal.
ACOUSTIC FIELD MAPPINGClear evidence→
VESSEL DOCTORPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey
SURVEY PROFILENoise & Acoustics
13/19
Original category-specific diagnostic visual
01
WHY THIS SURVEY MATTERS
Evidence before assumption.
Electrical operation alone does not prove acoustic effectiveness. Speaker placement, orientation, level balance, reverberation, background noise and language clarity all influence whether an instruction reaches the listener.
02
MEASUREMENT SCOPE
What we measure.
- ✓Background noise at test locations
- ✓PA announcement level and signal-to-noise relationship
- ✓General-alarm level and coverage
- ✓Speech intelligibility using the agreed method
- ✓Coverage in cabins, corridors, public rooms, machinery spaces and open decks
- ✓Dead zones, excessive level variation and masking
03
TIMING & APPLICATION
When to request it.
After speaker, amplifier or cabling modifications
Following audibility complaints
After machinery or HVAC noise changes
During safety-system verification
To develop a corrective speaker or zoning plan
04
SURVEY PROCESS
A controlled route from plan to finding.
Define
Confirm the decision, vessel condition and evaluation basis.
Prepare
Agree locations, safe access, instruments and operating matrix.
Measure
Capture traceable data with conditions documented during measurement.
Interpret
Evaluate against the agreed basis and isolate meaningful patterns.
Report
Issue findings, limitations and focused next actions.
05
TECHNICAL DELIVERABLE
What you receive.
- ✓Test-location and system-operation schedule
- ✓Background, PA and alarm results
- ✓Speech-intelligibility results where included
- ✓Coverage map and deficient locations
- ✓System-level and acoustic observations
- ✓Corrective recommendations and retest priorities
06
STANDARDS & PROJECT CRITERIA
The governing basis comes first.
Use applicable SOLAS/IMO public-address and alarm requirements, flag/class rules, vessel specifications and IEC 60268-16 when STI-based speech-intelligibility testing is agreed. Confirm test signal, announcement source, zoning and operating condition before testing. Do not imply that IMO resolution A.1021(26) alone defines every PA acceptance limit.
Important
Explore our standards directory↗Acceptance remains subject to the applicable flag administration, classification society, contract, vessel specification and authorised reviewing party.
ASIA + WORLDWIDE ATTENDANCE
PA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey wherever the vessel needs it.
Vessel Doctor coordinates this service for vessels in Singapore, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, wider Asian maritime centres and ports worldwide. The scope can support technical managers, marine superintendents, ship agents, owners, operators, shipyards and consultants who need documented onboard evidence.
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Southeast AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in Singapore↗South AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in India↗Southeast AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in Malaysia↗South AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in Sri Lanka↗Southeast AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in Indonesia↗Southeast AsiaPA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey in Thailand↗Global coverageWorldwide PA/GA Audibility and Speech Intelligibility Survey↗
SERVICE FAQ
Questions project teams ask.
Every scope is confirmed against the actual vessel, timing and decision requirement.
01What is the difference between audibility and intelligibility?+
Audibility means the signal can be heard; intelligibility means spoken information can be understood.
02Must machinery be running?+
Testing should represent the background-noise condition required by the governing rule or acceptance specification.
03Can more speaker volume fix every failure?+
No. Excessive volume can reduce clarity and create uneven coverage. Location, directivity, reverberation and zoning may be more important.
04Can open-deck areas be tested?+
Yes, when safe and when weather and operational conditions are documented.
START A TECHNICAL DISCUSSION
Plan your pa/ga audibility and speech intelligibility survey.
Share the vessel, location, operating condition and reporting purpose. We will help shape a focused, technically defensible survey scope.