Watching for water ingress

 PSM Instrumentation’s new BulkSafe water ingress alarm system has been fully approved by all leading classification societies, and meets the SOLAS REG.X11/12  for water ingress alarm. Operators of bulkers that do not yet have water ingress alarms or dewatering systems, can order ex-stock deliveries of complete and certified systems. The company’s MD, Geoff Taylor, says that PSM is responding to the demand from owners and operators who are not easily finding the time to fit all these obligatory systems within the operational schedules of the vessels. PSM’s system can be installed during a voyage, thus preventing any vessel downtime. PSM has been manufacturing and installing marine-level systems from its head office in the UK for 30 years.

The BulkSafe system offers a wide range of safety features, and unusually deploys only a single sensor in each hold (most other systems use two) to provide a fully competent pre-alarm and main alarm warning, thus saving cost on hardware and installation.

The sensors used in the system are taken from PSM’s existing range of level transmitters extensively used in marine and navy ships. With its NATO-approved sensors and long experience, PSM’s units are extremely rugged and reliable.

One extremely useful feature of the PSM BulkSafe is the ability to check the entire system from sensor to alarm unit from a remote or deck location with a simple test handle. This can be done at any time, say on a voyage and even with the holds fully cargo laden. There are no impractical filter washing systems and no mechanical float switches to ‘stick’ so the system requires no routine maintenance or filter replacement. The PSM designers believe that simple devices such as float-operated switches and conductivity probes do not provide a continuous self-check. Physically checking a float by immersion before cargo loading is no guarantee it will not subsequently stick in a crucial real alarm condition.

The PSM sensors will use ‘live signal’ providing an immediate indication of sensors health, a feature not available to float or switch devices. Furthermore, if installed using the easi-fit recommendations the sensors are not only fully checkable even with a fully loaded cargo they are 100% serviceable and removable in this condition too. All of this comes in addition to the auto self-check of the system, affording the crew a real peace of mind.

PSM claims its new system offers great versatility and low cost of installation. It is confident that its long history in the marine level business and understanding of these arduous marine conditions is the reason it is being asked to survey and replace many of the very early systems supplied by diverse companies because they simply have not survived for even 1-2 years.

The PSM Bulksafe panel may optionally include regulation dewatering controls and valves. In all cases the systems can be installed during a voyage. PSM recognises that all bulkers are different and provides a comprehensive pack of drawings giving optional installation methods and arrangements and classification plan approval. PSM says it offers the widest range of optional fittings and accessories to simplify installation at sea.

 dedicated website

http://www.bulksafe.org