scope:

The IEC 61162-1 standard includes 4 sentence formatters for handling alarm and transducer status data. These were originally developed to handle the data required by navigation and radiocommunications equipment and multiple alarm systems were not envisaged. The introduction of the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) has necessitated the interfacing to engine, cargo and deck monitoring systems. In particular the interface to multi-point fire alarm systems presents problems due to the large number of sensors and the need to identify specific sources of incoming messages. The IEC 61162-102 is the specified interface to the VDR and to permit identification of data a series of specific sentences has been developed. Whilst the facilities included in the IEC 61162-4 series may be utilised to handle the most complex systems, these are not in general use, and probably unlikely on smaller vessels. The VDR has to be applied with immediate effect to a range of vessels and there does not appear to be any alternative standard available to meet the requirement.