Autronica Launches New Gas Detection System
Autronica Fire and Security AS debuted its new gas safety system for liquid and chemical tankers at Nor-Shipping 2013. The new AutroSafe Maritime Gas Panel Solution introduces a number of new features that support more flexible installation, improved maintenance and troubleshooting in addition to more reliable, accurate and user-friendly data from Autronica and third party sensors, the manufacturer said.
Designed to meet all current regulations for gas detection systems, the AutroSafe Maritime Gas Panel Solution is a safety tool that alerts tanker crews to the accidental escape of hazardous gases from cargo storage tanks. It is based on the gas detection technology and principles developed by Omicron and Autronica Fire and Security since December 2008, under Autronica Fire and Security AS, Division Tønsberg.
Robert Grande Director of Product Marketing, Autronica Fire and Security, explained, “AutroSafe 4 fire detection is installed on a wide variety of vessels from mega-cruise ships to box-ships and tankers. It features unique networking and redundancy capabilities, which have been leveraged to position the AutroSafe Maritime Gas Panel Solution as the most advanced gas detection system available today.”
The system features AutroNet, an Ethernet-based panel network that connects all panels and sensors through a dual-path, high-speed (100Mbps) redundant system, delivering solid, reliable performance in line with current regulations. AutroNet safeguards communication between panels even if a line fault (break, switch port fault etc.) is present and any alarms are transmitted safely to all panels because all network traffic is duplicated along two independent network paths.
The AutroSafe Maritime Gas Panel Solution alarm control panel use a communication loop called AutroFieldBus (AFB) to communicate with the gas detection loops, called PowerLoops. AFB length can be up to 1,000 meters and even longer if signal boosters or fiber cable interfaces are used. With up to 64 panels in a single system, 31 PowerLoops per AFB and 15 addressable gas detectors per PowerLoop, this approach supports flexible installation for vessels of all sizes and design. The PowerLoop is a two-wire ring capable of delivering 30VDC/100W and is galvanic isolated from the rest of the system for full electrical protection.
The AutroSafe Maritime Gas Panel Solution supports a range of third-party gas detection devices, allowing for installation flexibility and accurate data from preferred sensor manufacturers. Because each sensor and network node is addressable, the correct information is always routed to where it is needed, indicating which detection unit has given an alarm. Built-in fault monitoring ensures that if a detection unit fails, it is automatically identified so may be replaced quickly and easily.
www.autronicafire.com
