Kentec protects Trinidad & Tobago fast ferry

30 May 2018

Kentec Electronics Ltd., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of life safety systems, has had its Syncro ASM fire control panels chosen for the refurbishment of fire systems on the Fast Ferry Service that operates between the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

Since its inauguration in 2004 the fast ferry service between Port of Spain and Scarborough has become the popular choice for vacationers and people travelling daily between the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Two passenger fast ferries, the T&T Express and the T&T Spirit service the route with a 7-day-a-week schedule, completing the 20 mile journey in around two-and-a-half hours. In 2017, operators, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, decided to replace the T&T Express’s obsolete fire safety system, using the existing cabling infrastructure. Specialists Acorn Fire & Security engineered a new fire system using networked Kentec Syncro ASM fire control panels, with a VIEW Marine Repeater Panel flush mounted in the vessel’s bridge. The system was fully interfaced with Hochiki addressable marine detectors – predominantly multi- and heat sensors. A special cause and effect fire plan was written for the networked fire alarm system to mitigate any potential alarm sources from specific ‘at risk’ areas, for example during loading and unloading of goods and vehicles.

In fact, T&T Port Authority is so impressed with the new Kentec Fire Alarm system – in particular its ease of use and flexibility of operation – it has decided to upgrade the T&T Express’s sister ship, T&T Spirit, with the same equipment. Kentec’s Syncro ASM analogue addressable, fire control panels have Germanischer Lloyd, Det Norske Veritas, Korean Register, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and China Classification type approval for a wide range of marine fire alarm system applications, and now includes Marine Equipment Directive Approval MED.

The Syncro ASM is one of the first Fire Control Panels to meet this European recognised Classification type approval in the world and is compatible with the complete range of Apollo or Hochiki marine approved detection devices. Suitable for all small to medium sized vessels, Syncro ASM control panels can be expanded and networked to become part of much larger systems if the need arises, therefore providing a future proof solution for any vessel. With its large graphical display and ergonomic button and indicator layout, the Syncro ASM control panel is simple and straightforward to understand for installers, commissioning engineers and end users alike.