Machinery spaces must be designed to minimize the exposure of personnel to noise in accordance with U.S. regulations. Manned machinery space noise must not exceed which noise level?
• U.S. regulations on noise limits in manned machinery spaces (46 CFR — verify the specific part on habitability and noise limits) • Typical occupational noise exposure limits used to protect hearing over an 8‑hour workday • Difference between 'comfortable communication' levels and levels that require hearing protection
• Think about what noise level is generally accepted as the upper limit for safe, long-term exposure in a workplace without mandatory hearing protection. • Consider at what decibel level normal conversation becomes difficult without shouting — would regulations want a continuously manned space above or below that level? • Look at the options and eliminate anything that is clearly too low to be realistic for an engine room, and anything that seems so high that it would obviously require hearing protection at all times.
• Verify the typical OSHA/industrial limit for 8‑hour noise exposure and compare it to the choices given. • Ask yourself: which level would regulations likely choose for a space that is continuously or regularly manned, not just occasionally entered? • Check whether the regulation is aiming for hearing safety over a full watch (e.g., 8 hours) rather than very short-term exposure.
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