New ATEX Radio Requirement for Firefighters Onboard Ship - SOLAS Regulation II-2/10

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has recently adopted an amendment to SOLAS regulation II-2/10 requiring ships to carry a minimum of two ATEX handportable radios for each fire party of firefighter's for two-way communication by the 1st July 2018.

The exact amendment to the regulations is below:

“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-way portable 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."

So what do Icom have available?
Icom have a range of ATEX approved radios that meets Class 1 and Class 2 specifications. The pocket sized IC-F51/F61 ATEX series is available in both VHF and UHF and meets class 2 ATEX standards. The radio series is IP-67 dust-tight and waterproof and features a variety of signalling standards as well as lone worker function. A marine version of this radio called the IC-M87 ATEX is also available and features 22 programmable channels for land use.

Icom’s IC-F3202DEX/F4202DEX ATEX digital series (shown on the left) meets both Class 1 and 2 IEC Ex/ATEX based I/S specifications and specifically IIC and T4. The radio also features lone worker and man down functions when this function is enabled the radio will automatically send an emergency signal should a worker be in trouble, an extra consideration for those looking for a complete ATEX health and safety solution. Like the IC-F51/F61 ATEX and IC-M87ATEX the IC-F3202DEX ATEX digital series provides rugged protection against dust and water, equivalent to IP67.

For more information about Icom’s range of ATEX approved equipment, please visit the Icom ATEX product page on our website. Alternatively call our sales team on 01227 741741 or use the email address below.

Icom UK Sales - sales@icomuk.co.uk