Page 45: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2016)

The Authors the IMO Fire Safety Code does not de- use only during ? re-? ghting operations or coloured to identify such radios from scribe the design of the ? re-? ghter radio in order to avoid disruptive interfer- other on board portable radios to ensure in this regard. From a user’s perspec- ence from other radio communications that they are kept ready for use and that tive, the radio should be designed for use on board. This will minimise the risk of they are recognisable to the surveyor with large gloves, the possibility of be- interruption of communication between during survey.

ing warn underneath the ? re-? ghter suit members of the Fire Party, but it will not To secure readiness of the ? re-? ghter and for smoke divers wearing breathing prevent interference from other nearby radio, they may be placed in chargers apparatus, being able to connect to the vessels which may use the same frequen- providing constant charge to the radio breathing mask, and for Incident Com- cy (channel) for daily operations. battery, but considerations should be manders, being able to connect to the To avoid interference from other near- made since chargers are not explosion helmet headset. by vessels the ? re-? ghter radio should be proof and must be placed outside haz-

The housing of the ? re-? ghter radio capable of having channels programmed ardous areas. Also, radio batteries will should be made from materials which with Continuous Tone Coded Squelch slowly be impaired when being con-

Niels Peter Agdal, Director - Radio, will prevent the radio from damage System (CTCSS), which is a frequency stantly charged and although regular ? re

Safety & Tracking at Cobham SAT- even in extreme conditions during op- code programmed with the channel of drills include checking of relevant com-

COM. Following his Master’s Degree in eration. Ful? lling recognised standards the ? re-? ghter radio. Only radios with munication equipment and also read-out

International Business Economy from for maritime communication equipment this code on this speci? c channel will of battery status from the radio display, the University of Aalborg Niels Peter´s will ensure that the unit has passed suf- be able to communicate. Shifting the considerations should be made to have career has been focusing on working ? cient tests carried out by an accredited ? re-? ghter radio to any other frequency i.e. an emergency back-up power battery in Communication. Having worked laboratory. These tests include several channel without CTCSS will again open pack for instant use during the charging both in Sales, Marketing and Business well de? ned setups like durability and up for communication with all other ra- time for the ordinary battery.

Development at various international resistance to environmental conditions, dios on board or nearby. Using CTCSS is Emergency back-up batteries will companies, Niels Peter now has 8 heat test, vibration, rain and spray, and also known as Trunked Mode Operation shorten the time from the outbreak of a years of experience at Cobham Satcom corrosion to mention a few aspects of the (TMO) which is also needed when using ? re to the deployment of the Fire Party (previously Thrane & Thrane A/S). Be- extensive test scheme. radio repeaters i.e. for use in con? ned in case the radio battery for one or more ing Director and responsible for the full

The range of tests to document the per- areas. ? re-? ghter radios is not usable (i.e. not range of SAILOR SOLAS and GMDSS formance of the ? re-? ghter radio is based The sensitivity of the ? re-? ghter radio charged). Charging time for a radio bat- products including VHF, MF/HF, Sat-C, on international standards and therefore transceiver is of great importance in or- tery for a fully discharged portable radio

AIS, Navtex, GNSS/DGNSS, Portable recognised by surveyors worldwide. It is der to maintain proper communication is typically between 4 to 5 hours. Emer-

Radios and Power Supplies Niels Peter the ship’s responsibility to demonstrate at the limits of the radio coverage. Ad- gency batteries are non-rechargeable but has a key position in in? uencing the that its radios are ? t for purpose, i.e. that ditionally, the correct position of the por- will maintain their capacity for a period future of communication Products at they are able to work within the environ- table radio on the ? re-? ghter out? t must of 5 – 6 years if not activated before ex- sea.

ment to be expected in a ? re scenario, be considered to reduce the reduction in piry, making them ideal for storage with that their operating range is suf? cient radio signal due to body loss. Distributed the ? re-? ghter out? t and radios.

and that they are safe. antenna systems are commonly working on UHF frequencies and may therefore Conclusion

Radio Frequency by minor reprogramming of the ? re- While Chapter II-2 ‘Construction –

The structure of a vessel is more or less ? ghter radio extend the indoor coverage Fire Protection, Fire Detection and Fire comparable with the structure of a fara- in con? ned areas – a vital improvement Extinction’ is very clear on many as- day cage – lots of steel construction sur- to the safety of the Fire Party as well as pects, there is some ambiguity on the rounding the radios in use. In a ? re-? ght- bene? cial for the day to day work radio ? re-? ghter radio requirements. As it ing situation, ? re doors and ? re dampers communication. stands, it’s important for surveyors and will have been activated and closed, ship-owners alike to know what consti- leaving very limited, or no penetration Radio Storage tutes a ? re-? ghter radio under SOLAS of radio signals. UHF radios provide the As a ? re on board a vessel can spread Chapter II-2, Regulation 10.10.4.

Claus Hornbech, Business Manager best available penetration possible with- within minutes it is of paramount im- Choosing or recommending the right – Maritime Integration, Cobham in such areas and between ? re-? ghters portance that there is easy access to the radio is vital. But it’s just as important

SATCOM. Claus joined Cobham and/or the incident commander on deck. ? re-? ghter out? t and that all equipment to act fast. With the potential of 300,000

SATCOM 2015, as Business Manager –

Using the ? re-? ghter radio on the same is ready to use. This is typically secured new radios needing to be in place by 1st

Maritime Integration, and is part of the frequency as the daily on board UHF by placing it in permanently and clearly July 2018, getting prepared now is a sen-

Maritime Business Development team frequencies will provide the possibility marked locations i.e. lockers on deck or sible move. A last minute rush to pick up responsible for developing markets, of establishing communication between in passageways. Depending on the type any radio that might ? t the regulations, market input and implementation of existing radios for on board communica- or size of the vessel, more ? re-? ghter though saving money from this year’s products to suit the need of the end- user. He holds a Master Mariner and tion and the ? re-? ghter Radio. out? ts may be required, and will typi- budget, could end up costing you more if has been within the maritime electron-

Considerations should however be cally be stored in widely separated loca- it doesn’t meet requirements, or indeed ics business since 1988, working with made on the programming of frequen- tions. the very real possibility that it won’t ar- well-known system integrators and cies (channels) for all radios on board. Fire-? ghter radios can be stored to- rive in time for your ? rst survey.

manufacturers inside Sales, Marketing

In DMO communication all radios work- gether with ? re-? ghter out? ts to secure and Business Development towards ing on the same frequency (channel) will easy access and availability, instead of end-users within Deep Sea Heavy have the possibility to send and receive wasting valuable time spent collecting 1 DMO: Direct Mode Operation, communication

Marine, Offshore Oil & Gas and Deep on this channel. A dedicated channel ? re-? ghter radios from a separate loca- between two or more radios on same frequency.

Sea Fishing.

should be reserved for the Fire Party for tion. Fire-? ghter radios might be marked www.marinelink.com 45

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