Section 4 Main broadcast
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023 - Volume 2 Machinery and Engineering Systems - Part 9 Electrotechnical Systems - Chapter 10 Internal Communication - Section 4 Main broadcast

Section 4 Main broadcast

4.1 Crew and embarked personnel address system

4.1.1 Crew and embarked personnel address systems are to comply with the International Lifesaving-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code and the requirements of this Section.

4.1.2 The crew and embarked personnel address system is to be provided with an emergency source of electrical power as required by Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 2, 5.2 Emergency source of electrical power and also connected to the main source of electrical power with automatic changeover facilities located adjacent to the crew and embarked personnel address system. Failure of any power supply is to operate an audible and visual alarm, see also Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 3, 8.10 Cable support systems 8.10.6 and Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 1, 5.2 Centralised control station for machinery.

4.1.3 The crew and embarked personnel address system is to have multiple amplifiers having their power supplies so arranged that a single fault, fire or casualty will not cause the loss of the facility to broadcast emergency announcements in crew and embarked personnel rooms, alleyways, stairways and control stations, albeit at a reduced capacity.

4.1.4 The crew and embarked personnel address distribution system is to be so arranged that a fire or casualty in any one main vertical zone, other than the zone in which the crew and embarked personnel address control station is located, will not interfere with the facility to broadcast emergency announcements in any other such zone, see also Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 1, 2.6 Operation under flooding conditions.

4.1.5 There are to be at least two cable routes in each fire zone sufficiently separated throughout their length to crew and embarked personnel rooms, alleyways, stairways, and control stations so arranged that any single electrical fault, localised fire or casualty will not cause the loss of the facility to broadcast emergency announcements in any crew and embarked personnel rooms, alleyways, stairways, and control stations, albeit at a reduced capacity.

4.1.6 Amplifiers are to be continuously rated for the maximum power that they are required to deliver into the system for audio and, where alarms are to be sounded through the crew and embarked personnel address system, for tone signals.

4.1.7 Loudspeakers are to be continuously rated for their proportionate share of amplifier output and protected against short-circuits.

4.1.8 Amplifiers and loudspeakers are to be selected and arranged to prevent feedback and other interference. There are also to be means to automatically override any volume controls, so as to ensure the specified sound pressure levels are met.

4.1.9 Where the crew and embarked personnel address system is used for sounding the general emergency alarm and the fire-alarm, the following requirements are to be met in addition to those of Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 10, 5.1 Emergency alarm system:

  1. The emergency system is given automatic priority over any other system input.

  2. More than one device is provided for generating the sound signals for the emergency alarms.

4.1.10 Where more than one alarm is to be sounded through the crew and embarked personnel address system, they are to have recognisably different characteristics and additionally be arranged, so that any single electrical failure which prevents the sounding of any one alarm will not affect the sounding of the remaining alarms.

4.1.11 The sound pressure levels are to be measured during a practical test using speech and, where applicable, tone signals and documented, see Vol 2, Pt 9, Ch 12, 1.2 Trials

4.1.12 Sound signal equipment, fire and general alarm bells are to be supplemented by visual indications, in areas having high levels of background noise, such as machinery spaces.


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.