BS ISO 18405-2017 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS ISO 18405-2017 — Underwater acoustics. Terminology. This document reproduces ISO 18405:2017 (edition 1) as adopted for national use (BS ISO 18405:2017); the STB prefix in the provided title indicates a national designation where applicable. The standard defines terms and expressions used across the discipline of underwater acoustics, covering natural, biological and anthropogenic sound, its generation, propagation, reception and scattering, and the effects of underwater sound on the environment, humans and aquatic life. The properties of underwater acoustical systems are explicitly excluded.

Abstract

ISO 18405:2017 provides a harmonized vocabulary for underwater acoustics. It defines key terms and expressions relating to the sources, propagation, scattering (including reflection) and reception of underwater sound in the water column and at boundaries (sea surface, seabed and biological organisms). The standard also addresses terminology used when describing the effects of underwater sound on the underwater environment, humans and aquatic life. It is intended to support clear communication between researchers, industry, regulators and other stakeholders working with underwater sound and related measurements.

General information

• Status: Published (international standard; national adoption published as BS ISO 18405:2017).
• Publication date: ISO publication: 24 April 2017; British adoption (BS ISO) published 15 May 2017. (ISO version confirmed at review in 2022.)
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); British Standards Institution (BSI) for BS adoption.
• ICS / categories: 01.040.17; 17.140.01; 17.140.30 (Metrology and measurement; Acoustic measurements and noise abatement; Noise emitted by means of transport).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2017).
• Number of pages: ISO edition: 51 pages; BS national publication (PDF/printed package variations) often shown as 64 pages (includes national foreword/annexes).

Scope

The scope of ISO 18405:2017 is to establish common, unambiguous terminology for the field of underwater acoustics. It covers terms for sources of underwater sound (natural, biological and anthropogenic), sound generation mechanisms, propagation phenomena, scattering and reflection, reception and measurement concepts, and terminology used when discussing sound effects on the marine environment, humans and aquatic organisms. The standard does not specify measurement procedures nor the properties of underwater acoustical systems (those topics are addressed in separate standards).

Key topics and requirements

• Standardized definitions of fundamental terms used in underwater acoustics (e.g., sound pressure, source level, ambient sound, radiated noise, scattering, reflection, absorption).
• Terminology for classes of sound sources: natural, biological and anthropogenic sources and their descriptors.
• Definitions relating to propagation phenomena in the water column and at boundaries (surface, seabed, organisms), including scattering and reflection.
• Vocabulary for measurement- and data-related concepts used in underwater-acoustic reporting (e.g., normalization, reference distances, spectrum and band descriptions).
• Terms describing effects of underwater sound on ecosystems, animals and humans (so that environmental assessments and regulatory texts use consistent language).
• Explicit exclusion: properties and performance characteristics of underwater acoustical systems (these are covered by other ISO/IEC/IEC-related standards).

Typical use and users

This terminology standard is used by marine scientists, acoustic researchers, environmental impact assessors, hydrophone and instrumentation manufacturers, naval architects, regulatory agencies, consultants conducting underwater-noise assessments, conservation organizations, and standards developers. It supports clear reporting and interoperability between measurement standards, modelling reports and policy documents.

Related standards

ISO 18405:2017 is part of the ISO/TC 43/SC 3 family of underwater-acoustics documents and is commonly referenced alongside measurement and procedural standards such as the ISO 17208 series (quantities and procedures for description and measurement of underwater sound from ships), ISO 17208-1/2 (and subsequent parts/amendments), standards and technical reports on ambient sound measurement (e.g., recent ISO work on ambient sound), IEC/IEC standards for hydrophone calibration (IEC 60565 series), ANSI/ASA guidance on ship noise measurement and various national/adopted equivalents (for example GB/T publications). Users should consult the specific measurement standards for procedural and calibration requirements.

Keywords

underwater acoustics; terminology; underwater sound; ambient sound; radiated noise; source level; propagation; scattering; reflection; hydrophone; bioacoustics; environmental impact; ISO 18405; BS ISO 18405.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18405:2017 (published as BS ISO 18405:2017 for British adoption) is an international terminology standard for underwater acoustics that defines terms and expressions used across the discipline.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers vocabulary for sources, generation, propagation, scattering (including reflection), reception and measurement-related concepts for underwater sound, plus terminology for describing effects on the marine environment, humans and aquatic life. It excludes the technical properties and performance specifications of underwater acoustic systems and does not prescribe measurement procedures.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Marine and acoustic researchers, environmental consultants, instrumentation and hydrophone manufacturers, naval architects, regulators and agencies concerned with underwater noise, standards writers and conservation organizations use the standard to ensure consistent terminology.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 18405:2017 is the first edition (2017). The ISO entry indicates the standard was last reviewed and confirmed (confirmed in 2022) and remains current. Users should check national adoption notices for any national amendments or later confirmations.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a terminology reference within the ISO/TC 43/SC 3 portfolio (underwater acoustics) and is intended to be used together with measurement and procedural standards in that portfolio (for example the ISO 17208 series and other ISO/TC 43/SC 3 documents).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: underwater acoustics, terminology, underwater sound, ambient sound, radiated noise, source level, propagation, scattering, hydrophone, bioacoustics, environmental impact.