FIRE DETECTION

AND ALARM SYSTEMS

Methods of SOLAS GA-signal

distribution onboard vessels

Table of contents

1. Regulations

2. GA on PA (solution often used today)

3. GA on PA (fully redundant)

4. GA on Fire detection system (alarm bells)

5. GA on Fire detection system (detector buzzers)

6. GA on Fire detection system (backup fire central)

References: Much of the information in this document is from DNVs Rules for classification of ships, part 3, chapter
3, Hull equipment and Safety, January 2006

Subject to be change without notice. Honeywell Int. Inc.

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1.

Regulations

201
A general emergency alarm system complying with the requirements of paragraph 7.2.1.of the Code shall be
provided and shall be used for summoning the passengers and crew to muster stations. The system shall be
supplemented by a public address system complying with the requirements of paragraph 7.2.2 of the Code. Any
centralized entertainment sound systems shall automatically be turned off when the general emergency alarm
system is activated. The general emergency alarm shall be capable of sounding an alarm signal consisting of
seven short blasts followed by one long blast to all areas as specified in the subsequent paragraphs. The general
alarm shall continue to function after it has been triggered until it is manually turned off or is temporarily interrupted
by a message on the public address system. Initiation of an emergency announcement on the public address
system shall mute the general alarm system and the general alarm shall continue after ended public address
announcement. In addition, general emergency alarm shall have priority over other alarms. (SOLAS Regulation
III/6.4.2)
Guidance note:
With reference to the Code and IMO Res. A. 830(19), sound pressure levels are defined as follows:
a) General alarm
- Interior and exterior spaces: 80 dB (A) and at least 10 dB (A) above ambient noise levels.
- In sleeping positions and cabin bathrooms: 75 dB (A) and at least 10 dB (A) above ambient noise level.
b) Public address
- Interior spaces, including sleeping positions and cabin bathrooms: 75 dB (A) and at least 20 dB
(A) above ambient noise level.
- Exterior spaces: 80 dB (A) and at least 15 dB (A) above ambient noise level.
c) In no cases should the audible alarm levels in a space exceed 120 dB (A).
202
The general emergency alarm system shall be arranged either as:
A: one (or more) closed loop(s)

B: with fuses/breakers provided at each

deck such that failure/short circuit in
any deck does not affect other decks or
the central unit

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203
The general emergency alarm system shall be audible in accommodation and all normal crew working spaces. In
areas with high ambient noise level, additional flashing light shall be used. (SOLAS Regulation III/6.4.2 and
III/6.4.3)
204
General emergency alarm shall be connected to the ships whistle/siren/typhoon.
205
General emergency alarm buzzer or public address loudspeakers shall be provided in all cabins. Public Address
announcements or general alarm signal shall be audible in accordance with B201.
206
Public address loudspeakers shall be provided in all spaces where crew or passengers or both are present such as
accommodation, all normal crew working spaces and muster stations.
(International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code Ch. VII
7.2.2.1)
207
If general emergency or fire alarm is integrated with the public address system then no single failure shall render
both systems inoperative in the same area. The following applies when general alarm or fire alarm is integrated
with public address system:

The general alarm signal generator, amplifiers, central control unit and any other essential part of the system
shall be duplicated.
In all public areas, at least two separated and segregated cable routes shall be provided, one from each
amplifier. The segregation of two cable loops shall be such that in case of failure of one loop in one area, the
general/fire alarm and public address announcements shall continue to be audible in that area

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2.

GA on PA (solution often used today)

The following drawing demonstrates how fire detection system and the PA systems usually are connected today,
when the General Alarm signal is given by the PA system.

PA line A and PA line B cover every second cabin. Cable is also pulled to the bathrooms, but loud-speakers are not
installed. This method of connecting PA for giving General Alarm is today approved by class even though the
regulations states that when GA is delivered by PA, the general alarm signal generator, amplifiers, central control
unit and any other essential part of the system should be duplicated. The loudspeakers are essential parts of the
system, but are not duplicated. The sound pressure levels should also be in sleeping positions and cabin
bathrooms: 75 dB (A) and at least 10 dB (A) above ambient noise level.
Safety and class issues
A fault in one of the PA systems or an open cable or short circuit in one of the PA lines will cause the sound
pressure level of half of the cabins to not comply with class regulations.
Does the sound level in the bathrooms comply with the regulation of 75dB?
A fire in the first cabin might make the complete area without alarm messaging system. Both PA and GA sound will
not be delivered. In all public areas, at least two separated and segregated cable routes shall be provided.
Installations like this are today approved by class, even if not all essential parts of the system are duplicated.
Economical issues
A solution like this requires two complete set of PA systems. Two PA amplifiers and double set of cables that
should be installed with segregated cable routes.
How many extra hours for pulling two set of PA cables instead of one?
Telephones able to deliver GA sound must be used. More expensive than other telephones?
This method requires a total of four set of cables.
Low fire detection system cost, but high PA system cost. High cable and installation cost
Technical issues
Alarm bells to be used in the corridors and in the lower decks
The sound proof quality of the bathroom doors might be an issue. The dB reduction number of the doors must be
taken into account.

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3.

GA on PA (fully redundant)

The following drawing demonstrates how the fire detection system and the PA system can be connected when the
General Alarm signal is given by the PA system:

Safety and class issues

Loudspeakers in the bathrooms take care of the sound level in the bathrooms.
A fault in either of the PA systems or a broken cable will affect the sound level of the General alarm sound in the
cabins, but it should still comply with the regulation of 75dB.
A fire in the first cabin might make the complete area without alarm messaging system (In all public areas, at least
two separated and segregated cable routes shall be provided).
Economical issues
A solution like this requires two complete set of PA systems. Two PA amplifiers and double set of cables that
should be installed with segregated cable routes.
How many extra hours for pulling two set of PA cables instead of one?
Telephones able to deliver GA sound must be used. More expensive than other telephones?
This method requires a total of four set of cables.
Low fire detection system cost, but high PA system cost. High cable and installation cost
Technical issues
Completely redundant system.
Alarm bells to be used in the corridors and in the lower decks
The sound proof quality of the bathroom doors will not be an issue.

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4.

GA on Fire detection system (alarm bells)

The following drawing demonstrates how the fire detection system and the PA system can be connected when the
General Alarm signal is given by the fire detection system:

Safety and class issues

A fault in the PA system or an open cable or short circuit in the PA line will cause no PA sound in this area. We will
however still have GA sound through the fire detection system.
Open loop in the alarm bell circuit will not have any effect on the signal level of the GA sound.
A short circuit on the alarm bell loop will kill the GA sound. The regulation says nothing about this, see regulation
202.
The doors used today are highly sound proof and hence the required sound level of 75dB in sleeping positions and
cabin bathrooms will not be achieved if Alarm bells are only used in the corridors.
Passenger vessels with more than 36 passengers must have two PA systems.
Economical issues
A solution like this requires only one complete set of PA system. Three set of cables must be pulled and three
connection points in each cabin.
This method requires a total of three set of cables.
Medium component cost, but High cable and installation cost
Technical issues
The sound proof quality of the bathroom doors should not be an issue. The sound output level of the alarm bells
are 98.8dB
Maybe not the most popular solution among the people sleeping in the cabins (98.8dB), 2minutes delay will be
advised.
The alarm bells must be connected in a closed loop. External relays must be connected.

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5.

GA on Fire detection system (detector buzzers)

The following drawing demonstrates how the fire detection system and the PA system can be connected when the
General Alarm signal is given by the fire detection system:

When the GA sound is given by the fire detection system, the PA system can consist of one line only. On
passenger ships constructed on or after 1 July 1997 however, the public address system shall have at least two
loops which shall be sufficiently separated throughout their length and have two separate and independent
amplifiers.
Safety and class issues
A fire or open loop in PA line in the first cabin might make the complete area without PA messaging system (In all
public areas, at least two separated and segregated cable routes shall be provided), but we will still have GA, since
the detector loop is connected with both turn and return.
Open circuit in the detector loop will not have any effect on the signal level of the GA sound
(closed loop)
Short circuit in the detector loop will not have any effect on the signal level of the GA sound, since there are
isolators in each detector
Economical issues
A solution like this requires only one complete set of PA system. Two set of cables must be pulled and two
connection points in each cabin.
This method requires a total of two set of cables.
The total component, cable and installation cost will be much lower than for the other solutions. The cost for the fire
detection system will probably be a little higher, but the cost for the PA system and the cabling cost will be
considerably lower.
Technical issues
Detectors with sound for both fire alarm and general alarm must be used.
The sound proof quality of the bathroom doors might be an issue. The sound output level of the detector buzzers
are 92dB. Measurements inside the bathroom in two vessels have been done, with the results of 78dB.
Addressable IQ8 Alarm units in the bathrooms can be connected (98dB).
The lower decks should use sirens, bells and typhoons. The sound levels of the detector buzzers are not high
enough for these decks.

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6.

GA on Fire detection system (backup fire central)

The following drawing demonstrates how the fire detection system and the PA system could be connected when
the General Alarm signal is given by the Fire detection system.
When the General Alarm sound is given by the PA system, the regulations states: The general alarm signal
generator, amplifiers, central control unit and any other essential part of the system shall be duplicated. This,
however, does not apply when the General Alarm sound is given by the fire detection system. See regulations,
207.
If an extra safety is desired, an idle backup fire central can be connected. In case the main fire central breaks
down, the idle fire central will take over. This will make the system completely redundant.

Safety and class issues

A fire or open loop in the first cabin might make the complete area without PA messaging system (In all public
areas, at least two separated and segregated cable routes shall be provided), but we will still have GA, since the
detector loop is connected with both turn and return.
Open circuit in the detector loop will not have any effect on the signal level of the GA sound
(closed loop)
Short circuit in the detector loop will not have any effect on the signal level of the GA sound, since there are
isolators in each detector
If more safety is wanted, GA sound can also be delivered by the PA system. This should only be used in
emergency, since this will not be synchrone with the sound delivered by the Fire detection system
Economical issues
A solution like this requires only one complete set of PA system. Two set of cables must be pulled and two
connection points in each cabin. Backup fire central must be connected, but this has a small cost.
This method requires a total of two set of cables.
Low component cost and low installation cost
Technical issues
Detectors with sound for both fire alarm and general alarm must be used.
The sound proof quality of the bathroom doors might be an issue. The sound output level of the detector buzzers
are 92dB. Measurements inside the bathroom in two vessels have been done, with the results of 78dB.
Addressable IQ8 Alarm units can be connected (98dB).
The lower decks should use sirens, bells and typhoons. The sound levels of the detector buzzers are not high
enough for these decks.

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