Explorer ICS

Architect Specifications

SECTION 430 INTEGRATED INTERIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND ALARM SYSTEMS

1. GENERAL
The design of the integrated interior communication system (ICS) and the materials used in its construction shall be fully suitable for marine use. Proper design and installation shall be adhered to in order to meet the requirements of the local inspecting authority. In general the integrated system shall meet the separate requirements of 46 CFR, Subchapter J – Electrical Engineering, for systems covered in Part 113; Subchapter H, Part 76; and NVIC 2-89, Chapter 5. The system shall also meet the requirements found in SOLAS 74, Chapters II and III; ABS Rules, Part 4, Chapters 7 and 8; and IEEE Std. 45-1998, Recommended Practice for Electric Installations on Shipboard.

An ICS system shall specifically provide the equipment, control, and monitoring required for the Public Address (Announcing) system, General Emergency Alarm system, Fire Detection/Alarm system, and Dial Phone system. In addition the system can be installed in conjunction with Interior Communication (Sound Powered Phone), Entertainment Audio/Video systems, and CCTV systems provided special considerations for these systems be addressed by the design and installation of the integrated system.
An ICS system, Multicom ICS Explorer or Equal, shall be furnished and installed by the communications contractor. A manufacturer-certified technician shall supervise the installation and testing of the equipment and shall be present during all official acceptance tests and trials, unless specifically approved otherwise.

2. INTEGRATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
A. A public address system (announcing system) shall be installed in accordance to 46CFR Part 113 Subpart 50. The system shall be integrated through the ICS central control panel with the general emergency alarm and the fire detection/alarm system and shall be used for transmission of orders/information throughout the vessel by means of microphones and loudspeakers. The ICS system shall be capable of interfacing with a Multicom AEVADS voice evacuation system.

The central control panel shall control communications from the Navigating Bridge and general emergency alarm through the announcing system. The central control panel shall also provide notification from the fire detection system. The system shall allow the officer in charge to broadcast either separately or collectively to various locations on board. In addition two-way communication shall be provided to locations as outlined in 46 CFR, ABS, and SOLAS. The central control panel will be supplied with a contact maker that will initiate an alarm throughout all areas of the vessel and may be supplemented with a crew only alarm, if required by the regulatory agency.

There shall be a sufficient number of loudspeakers located throughout the vessel to meet minimum requirements for sound pressure levels as are specified by 46 CFR, ABS, or SOLAS. Loudspeakers located on weather decks shall be watertight and with terminations sealed for protection against the effects of wind and water. The system shall be provided with appropriate feeder distribution panels and branch circuit distribution panels. Each system shall have at least one feeder for each vertical fire zone with at least one branch circuit for each deck level and shall be, where possible, separated into port and starboard branch circuits so as to provide uninterrupted operation in the event of damage to a portion of the vessel/system.
Cabling shall be done in accordance with IEEE 45-1998 for signal circuits. The system shall meet all requirements, whether called out in this specification or not, of the USCG, ABS, or SOLAS 74 as called out in their respective rules and regulations.

B. A general emergency alarm shall be installed in accordance to 46 CFR Part 113, Subpart 25. The system shall be integrated with and operate over the public address system and shall be used for transmission of alarm tones throughout the vessel by means of signal generators and loudspeakers. This system shall be integrated with the fire detection/alarm system for automatic alarm functions.

Power requirements for the integrated system shall at a minimum meet the requirements for the power source and emergency power source for general emergency alarms as is called out in Subpart 113.25-6 in 46 CFR. The system shall be provided with appropriate feeder distribution panels and branch circuit distribution panels. Each system shall have at least one feeder for each vertical fire zone with at least one branch circuit for each deck level and shall be, where possible, separated into port and starboard branch circuits so as to provide uninterrupted operation in the event of damage to a portion of the vessel/system.

The central control panel shall feature a manual contact maker that will initiate an alarm throughout all areas of the vessel, and may be supplemented with a crew only alarm, if required by the regulatory agency.

Separate alarm tones shall be provided for general emergency alarm and fire alarm. Tone generators and amplifiers for reproducing the sound through speakers shall be provided in duplicate per USCG regulations as called out in 46 CFR Part 113. There shall be a sufficient number of loudspeakers, and they shall be located throughout the vessel, to meet minimum requirements for sound pressure levels as are specified by 46 CFR, ABS, or SOLAS.

The system will use red-flashing lights in high noise areas where the alarm might not be heard over the background noise. In addition, to meet ADA requirements the ICS speakers will be supplemented with synchronized strobe lights in all public areas. These strobes shall be activated by the general emergency alarm and the fire alarm portions of the ICS.

C. A fire detection/alarm system shall be a part of the ICS and shall be installed in accordance to 46 CFR Parts 113, Subpart 10 and 76, Subpart 27. The system shall supplement the general emergency alarm system and shall be used for transmission of alarm tones throughout the vessel by means of signal generators and loudspeakers. This system will be integrated with the public address system and the general emergency alarm system.

The central control panel located in the pilothouse will have audible and visible indication of the presence of a fire throughout the vessel. The fire detection portion of the system shall use addressable detectors, pull stations, monitor modules, and control modules so that the presence of a fire or control function shall indicate on the panel the location of the device. A monitor to be provided next to the panel shall act as a mimic panel, giving further detail as to the location of devices and instructions on the operation, maintenance, and testing of the system. Alarms shall be acknowledged at the ICS central control panel. If an alarm is not acknowledged within two minutes, the ICS system will, utilizing tone generators and amplifiers, produce an alarm in crew areas of the vessel.

The fire detection function of the system shall monitor/control fire doors and monitor sprinkler systems (provided by others) throughout the vessel. Fire doors shall be provided with magnetic holdbacks powered by either 110V AC or 24V DC and local release switches. Monitor modules and relay modules shall be supplied with the ICS to provide monitoring of the doors, control the voltage being used by the magnets, and monitor the sprinkler system to notify users when there is an alarm condition. The ICS “mimic panel” monitor shall be used to indicate whether the doors are open or closed and whether water is flowing through the sprinkler system (indicating a possible fire). A “button” on the ICS touch screen central control panel shall be used to allow closing the doors from the pilothouse.

D. A dial phone system (telephone intercom) shall be installed in accordance to IEEE Std 45-1998, Clause 27.10.4. The system shall provide communications via two-way voice communication and calling among the navigating bridge, emergency control stations, muster stations, embarkation stations and other strategic positions listed in 46 CFR Sec. 113. 30-5; at a minimum. An electronic phone system shall be used to meet these requirements and in some instances may be considered for use as a Sound Powered Phone substitute. The system shall meet all USCG, ABS and SOLAS requirements for this type of system.

Communications to the Navigating Bridge and to the Engine Room Control Station shall be programmed so a call placed to either location while the phone is in use can be interrupted in an emergency situation. A call placed from either the Navigating Bridge or Engine Room Control Station shall be able to override communications between other stations in an emergency situation. The phone system shall be integrated with the ICS system so that paging through the Public Address system can be accomplished via a phone station. An electronic phone system shall be provided with 110VAC and 24VDC battery power backup capability to allow use of system in a power loss situation for a minimum of thirty-two (32) hours. Battery backup must be supplied with an alternate power source for maintaining a charge.

Each station must include a permanently wired handset. A device located in the weather must be in a NEMA 250 Type 4 enclosure at a minimum. A station located in a high noise area (90dB as measured by a calibrated meter during vessel operation) must be installed in an acoustic booth to permit reliable voice communication. In a location where a voice station audible signal device cannot be heard throughout the space, an additional audible signal device or visual signal device must be used. If a rotating beacon is used as a visual signal device the color should not be the same as other beacons used throughout the vessel.
A main distribution panel shall be provided in the navigating bridge or space adjacent to navigation bridge and/or above the uppermost continuous deck. Cabling shall be done in accordance with IEEE 45 for internal communication circuits. Cable shall be a minimum two pair twisted shielded cable to meet USCG and ABS standards. Circuits must be insulated from ground. A short circuit or open circuit shall not affect operation of other stations.