1. SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.10.4
Fire-fighter’s Communication

2. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014, a minimum of two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for each fire party for fire-fighter´s communication shall be carried on board.
Those two two-way radiotelephone apparatus shall be of an explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe.
Ships constructed before 1 July 2014 shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph not later than the first survey after 1 July 2018.
The interpretation of the requirement is still being elaborated by classification societies and national authorities in regards of various unclear issues in the requirement
31 December 2018

3. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
Elaborations:
…two two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…
…each fire party for fire-fighter’s communication…
…explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe…
…on or after 1 July 2014…
…before 1 July 2014…
Some of the issues not fully clarified are as follows (1 – 3).
The implementation dates are fixed and not to be discussed, but the huge amount of equipment to be supplied to market should call for due diligence amongst ship owners in order to secure timely delivery
31 December 2018

4. Frequency band?

5. Fire-Fighter Radio SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation 10.10.4
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…”
Frequency band:
VHF frequency mainly used for ship-ship/ship-shore communication
VHF frequency exposed to disruptive interference from many other radios
UHF frequency internationally acknowledged as onboard communication
UHF frequency known to have better propagation inside metal structures
UHF frequency known to have shorter range outside vessel
UHF frequency less affected by disruptive interference from other radios
31 December 2018

6. Design

7. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…”
Performance standards:
Considerations for use in marine environment:
High humidity / salt water
Oil & chemicals
Ingress Protection
Sturdy design
31 December 2018

8. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…”
Performance standards:
Effective use of the radio spectrum
Fitted with sufficient channels for satisfactory operation
Continuous Tone Coded Squelch Systems (CTCSS) or Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)
31 December 2018

9. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…”
Performance standards:
Examples of standards to be carefully considered:
EN60945
(as for all other marine communication electronics)
IEC/ISO test standards
R&TTE Directive
(being replaced by the Radio Equipment Directive (RED))
31 December 2018

10. ..for fire-fighter’s communication…

11. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus…”
Performance standards:
Requirements for safety:
Intuitive and easy operation
Use with fire-fighter outfit
Avoidance of faulty or unintended operation
Connection to breathing apparatus mask or helmets
Connection to RSM, PTT and headset
31 December 2018

12. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…for fire-fighter´s communication…”
Performance standards:
Considerations for use by Fire Party
Direct Mode Operation & Trunked Mode Operation capabilities
31 December 2018

13. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…for fire-fighter´s communication…”
Performance standards:
Considerations for storage
Charging of batteries / status readout
Availability / instant check
Emergency battery backup for redundancy of power
Immediate intervention – no delay
Safety marking / coloring of fire-fighter radios
No misuse / easy identification
31 December 2018

14. …explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe…

15. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
“…explosion-proof type or intrinsically safe…”
Explosion proof standards
Temperature classification for radio
Zone classification for radio
Explosion group
Ingress protection rating
Example: II 2 G Ex ib IIB T4
Class II: Occasional occurrence of gas, mist vapor
2 G: ATEX Category protection level “High”
ib: Limit the energy of the spark and the surface temperature
IIB: Explosion Group (Gas)
T4: 135ºC
31 December 2018

16. …on or after 1 July 2014…

17. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
For ships constructed on or after 1 July 2014
Average new buildings per year is 2,000
Number of new vessels to worldwide fleet
est. 5,300 until July 2018
31 December 2018

18. …before 1 July 2014…

19. Fire-fighter’s Communication
The requirement
SOLAS Chapter II-2, Regulation
For ships constructed before 1 July 2014
Number of merchant worldwide merchant fleet est. 89,000
Number of SOLAS worldwide vessels est. 65,000
31 December 2018

20. SOLAS implementations
16. September 2015

21. SAILOR Fire Fighter Radio’s
Cobham SATCOM – Maritime Business Unit

22. SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter radio
31 December 2018

23. SAILOR UHF ATEX & Fire Fighter
The Solution
SAILOR UHF ATEX & Fire Fighter Radio
IEC Approved Maritime Radio
Heavy duty rugged IP67 Portable Radio
Large display for radio and channel identification
UHF frequency for optimal indoor coverage
CTCSS for use with repeater system
Logical tactile buttons for intuitive and safe operation
ATEX Class II 2 G Ex ib IIB T4
Complete package solution for SOLAS Chapter II-2,
Red colour for identification of purpose
Options for ATEX non-rechargeable emergency battery
Options for ATEX RSM and PTT
31 December 2018

24. SAILOR 3965 UHF Fire Fighter radio
Audio in feedback to headset of channel selection
Powerful built in loud speaker
Enhanced grip, wheel knob, keypad wear resistance
Various hardware changes:
Battery connector
Belt clip
PTT side key
31 December 2018

25. SAILOR 3965 UHF ATEX Fire-Fighter Radio
ATEX Accessories
ATEX Accessories from 3rd. Party
SAVOX C-C500 Remote Speaker Microphone
SAVOX C-C440 Push-To-Talk unit
SAVOX HC-E Headset w/integrated electret mike
SAVOX HC-1 Headset w/bone-conductive speaker/microphone
PELTOR FL5261 Push-To-Talk unit
PELTOR ATEX Headset
PELTOR ATEX Tactical Dynamic Headset
31 December 2018