Are firemen’s outfits including their equipment, two-way portable radiotelephone apparatus for fire-fighter’s communication and breathing apparatus in good condition, fit for purpose and available for instant use? (V & M)
Each firefighting team shall be equipped with portable two-way radiotelephones for the purposes of communication. The efficient use of these radios shall not be inhibited by the use of any firefighting equipment, including the firefighter’s outfit. To be fit for purpose a firefighter wearing a fireman’s outfit and Breathing Apparatus must be able to communicate clearly and without restriction with the Command and Control team.
When possible, the inspector should evaluate the effectiveness of the two-way radio communication equipment provided. Record a Finding if there are insufficient intrinsically safe two-way portable radios for the number of fire teams on the muster list, or if wearing a fireman’s outfit and Breathing Apparatus hinders the firefighter’s ability to operate the radios while fighting a fire.
One complete fireman’s outfit should include following items:
SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus)
・Fireman’s suit
・Fireman’s helmet
・Fireman’s rubber boots
・Explosion proof light
Fireproof lifeline combination rope of wire and nylon or hemp rope, complete with safety snap hook. Available in 30, 40 and 50 metre lengths.
・Fire axe
・Fireman safety belt
“Compressed air breathing apparatus shall be fitted with an audible alarm and a visual or other device which will alert the user before the volume of the air in the cylinder has been reduced to no less than 200 litres.” This applies to ship’s constructed (keel laid) on or after 1 July 2014. Ships constructed (keel laid) before 1 July 2014 must comply no later than 1 July 2019.
“An on-board means of recharging breathing apparatus cylinders used during drills shall be provided or a suitable number of spare cylinders shall be carried on board to replace those used.” This applies to all ships on or after 1 July 2014.
“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. These two-way portable radiotelephone apparatuses 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 safety equipment survey after 1 July 2018.” (SOLAS 74, 2020)
The two-way portable radio should comply with the IACS UI SC291. The purpose of these fire-fighter radios is to provide a dedicated means of communication between the team of fire fighters entering the space and the crew member located outside the space who is assigned to control this team. The two-way portable radio, intended for use by the fire fighters in the Fire Party, should be capable of being used by crew members wearing full fire fighter suits and full breathing apparatus/smoke diver equipment, as well as by fire fighters not involved in smoke diving who are wearing fire-fighter outfits and helmets. The engineering specification of the firefighter’s outfit in the FSS Code (Chapter 3, Section 2.1.1) requires that the personal equipment shall consist of protective clothing made of material designed to protect the skin from heat radiating from the fire and from burns and scalding by steam.
SOLASやFSS Codeでは「ハンズフリー」であることまでは要求されていません。しかし、RISQをはじめ、IACS UIの意図としては消防隊（Fire Fighting Team）が火災現場で使用する無線機は、SCBAと消防服を着用した状態でも支障なく通信できる構造であることが要求されます。 そのため、ハンズフリー方式（骨伝導）の採用が推奨されます。
SOLASの要求事項
SOLAS Chapter II-2 Regulation 10.10.4では、”Fire partyごとに最低2台の携帯型双方向無線機を備えること”と規定されており、防爆型（Explosion-proof）又は本質安全防爆型（Intrinsically Safe）
でなければなりません。
IACS UI SC291の考え方
IACS UI SC291では、この無線機の目的を次のように説明しています。
消防隊が火災区画へ進入した際、区画外で指揮するCommand & Control Teamとの専用通信手段を確保すること。
さらに重要なのは、
The two-way portable radio should be capable of being used by crew members wearing full fire fighter suits and full breathing apparatus.
つまり”SCBA・消防服・ヘルメットを着用した状態でも使用できなければならない”ということです。
ハンズフリーは要求されるか？
条文には”Hands-free”という言葉はありません。
しかし質問文にもあるように、
The efficient use of these radios shall not be inhibited by the use of any firefighting equipment.
さらに
a firefighter wearing a fireman’s outfit and breathing apparatus must be able to communicate clearly and without restriction.
とあります。
つまり要求されているのは
・消防服を着ても
・SCBAを背負っても
・フェイスマスクを装着しても
・手袋をしていても
支障なく通信できることです。
そのため、骨伝導ヘッドセットが推奨されます。
骨伝導ヘッドセットの例としては以下のようなものがあります。ぜひ導入をご検討ください。
HG70/DM72 | 日本ラムダ(NIPPON LAMDA) | 無線機・トランシーバー・インカムならエクセリ