System Overview

The BDA-102XSGA Dead-Man Alarm System continuously monitors the fitness and presence of the bridge operator during one-man bridge operation by constantly requiring the operator to reset a timer. In the event where the operator fails to reset the timer, the BDA-102XSGA will raise an alarm at one or more transfer stations located at the Engine Room and/or Officers’ Accommodations and ultimately the General Alarm System.

System Components

The system consists of 5 main components. A description of the various components is provided as follow:

• BDA-100(B) – Bridge Unit
  Usually flush-mounted onto the bridge console, the BDA-100(B) allows the user to turn the system on/off and provides visual and acoustical alarm signals to prompt the user to acknowledge the timing sequence. The BDA-100(B) is connected to the BDA-102XSGA(C) controller unit.
  
  
• BDA-100(T1) – Alarm Transfer Unit (Type 1)
  This unit may be located in the accommodation areas such as the engineer’s cabin.  The BDA-100(T1) consists of visual and acoustical alarm signals to alert standby personnel that the bridge operator has not acknowledged the timing sequence and hence may be ill or absent from the bridge. An alarm acknowledge button allows the user to silent the buzzer while he/she goes to the bridge to investigate.
  
  
• BDA-100(T2) – Alarm Transfer Unit (Type 2)
  The Type 2 Alarm Transfer Unit is similar to the BDA-100(T1) unit, except for the additional potential-free contacts which allows the unit to be interfaced to an external sounder/siren and beacon. This unit may be located in the engine room or other machinery areas. A BDA-100(JB1) Junction Box may be used to increase the number of Type 2 units (e.g. port and starboard side of engine room).
  
  
• BDA-100(JB1) – Junction Box 1
  This junction box allows multiple BDA-100(T2) units to be connected to the controller.
  
  
• BDA-102XSGA(C) - Alarm Controller Unit
  Located under the bridge console, the BDA-102XSGA is a microcontroller based alarm control unit which initiates the timing sequence, monitors the bridge operator’s ability to respond and raises the alarm to the various alarm transfer unit in the event the bridge operator is incapacitated or absent.

Operation Overview

1. The system is activated by turning the key-switch to the ON position. The system will start Timer1 to count down from a user-defined time (configurable during the setup phase) to 0. At any stage during the countdown, the operator is able to reset the timer and cancel any existing alarms by pressing the “Alarm Accept” button located on the bridge console panel.
   
   
2. 60 seconds before Timer 1 expires, or when an external trigger signal is received, the “Alarm Accept” button will start to blink (1s period) to prompt the operator to reset the system.
   
   
3. 30 seconds before Timer 1 expires, assuming no input has been detected from the bridge operator, a buzzer located on the bridge console panel will sound (1s period).
   
   
4. When Timer 1 hits 0 seconds, the system will raise the alarm on all transfer stations. This will cause the “Alarm Accept” button on all transfer stations to blink (1s period) and a buzzer to sound (1s period). The system will start Timer2 to count down from a user-defined time (configurable during the setup phase).
   
   
5. Before Timer 2 expires, standby personnel located in the Engine Room and/or Accommodations will be able to silent the buzzer by depressing the “Alarm Accept” button on the transfer station panel.
   
   
6. When Timer 2 expires, buzzers on all transfer stations will be reactivated (continuous sound) and personnel will no longer be able to silence the alarm from the transfer stations. A relay on the BDA-102XSGA controller will now energize. The potential free contacts of this relay can be interfaced to an external alarm system such as the General Alarm System.

Specifications

Connection Diagram

Dimensions