Passenger and crew accommodation comfort

Objective evaluation of shipboard habitability

Lloyds Registers Provisional Rules for Passenger and Crew Accommodation Comfort (PCAC) aim to provide a noise and vibration comfort solution for all ships.

One of the risks that owners and operators face is that passengers and crew may find a ship uncomfortable. This can lead to a poor reputation, loss of trade, loss of resale value and, in extreme cases, adverse impact on health and safety.

The use of noise and vibration prediction and measurement tools during design and construction can minimise this risk. At the conclusion of building, and before and during operation, it may be important to have independent certification that the ship meets required comfort criteria. Lloyds Register can help through its approach to passenger and crew accommodation comfort.

What does our service involve?

Lloyds Registers Provisional Rules for Passenger and Crew Accommodation Comfort (PCAC) aim to provide a noise and vibration comfort solution for all ships.

Compliance with the Provisional Rules involves: approval of the measurements test programme; noise and vibration measurements during sea trial; analysis of measurement results and assignment of a class notation; renewal surveys following modifications, alterations, or repairs including replacement of major machinery items.

The Rules contain a measure of flexibility to accommodate market requirements and future technological innovation.

Ships classed with Lloyds Register that achieve the comfort standards specified in the Provisional Rules can be assigned one of the class notations PCAC, PAC, or CAC (passenger and crew, passenger, or crew accommodation comfort respectively).

What are the benefits?

• Complying with Lloyd's Registers Rules minimises the discomfort experienced by passengers.

• Improved ship habitability helps enhance your reputation, and reduce the risk of losing trade and diminishing resale values.

• Considering habitability levels helps to reduce the adverse impact on health and safety by diminishing crew discomfort and consequent fatigue, leading to improved safety and a better working environment.

How does Lloyds Register help?

Lloyds Registers comfort notations provide you with an objective evaluation of your ships habitability in accommodation and workspaces at the time of building. Special consideration can also be given to ships where additional or more stringent criteria are required, or where the ship has met the IMO code on noise levels on board ships.

We can also undertake measurements required by the Rules on a consultancy basis and, where any criteria are exceeded, we can advise you about the most appropriate course of remedial action.

The following related services can also be provided:

• prediction of noise levels in accommodation and workspaces, and advice on remedial measures

• measurement of the performance of general alarm and public address systems

• hydrodynamic and marine engineering analysis in support of the PCAC requirements.