Portable gas detectors look forward to SOLAS amendments
In the run up to a forthcoming change to the SOLAS Convention, Martek Marine is introducing a new range of portable gas detection instruments.
Martek points out that amendments to SOLAS 1974 are scheduled to come into force on January 1 2012, which will require shipowners to use both fixed and portable hydrocarbon gas detection systems onboard all new oil tankers of 20,000dwt or larger. The new regulation includes carriage requirements for portable instruments for measuring oxygen, and the rules will be applicable to all new and existing tankers.
The company says it is able to offer fixed – and now portable - solutions for volatile organic compounds (VOC) detection, with the fixed version to be mounted in A/C inlets, accommodation areas and engine rooms - areas that are identified as having higher risks of benzene. The new portable Marine Quattro and Marine Extreme have been developed specifically to address concerns over death and serious injury suffered by seafarers from oxygen-depletion in tanks and void spaces. According to Martek, such incidents continue to claim the lives of mariners on all types of vessels, while flammable gases pose a threat of explosion, particularly on tankers and bulk carriers.
However, while portable systems are also to be mandatory, to meet IMO requirements, only fixed installations are explicitly required to be periodically calibrated. Marine Quattro and Marine Extreme include patented sensor diagnostics, meaning that owners can calibrate multi-gas detectors every 12 months should they choose to do so, while the company says that single gas detectors would never need calibration during their lifetime.
Steve Coulson, Martek Marine Business Development Manager said: “Portable detectors are now as essential as their fixed counterparts and the common practice of sending units to shore for recalibration and receiving a replacement every six months is becoming less attractive as guidelines call for more regular testing and certain models of detector and training aids make onboard calibration simpler Owners could also make significant efficiency gains if they support the use of these units with Martek’s Fastcalgas – the first global calibration gas service for the marine industry.”
“In contrast to the other portable gas detectors, a single button push design has been applied to Marine Quattro and Marine Extreme,” he added. “This keeps everything simple for different crews with varying skill levels and different nationalities. In addition, gloved hands are able to turn on units with minimal fuss in comparison to the main rivals who need two or three buttons just to put the units into operation. Both online and DVD based training are available, allowing users to be trained and certified anywhere in the world – quickly, efficiently and cost effectively.”
