Autronica BHH-500/EX Intrinsically Safe Marine Smoke Detector

Autronica BHH-500/EX Fire & Security Smoke Detector

The Autronica BHH-500/EX is an interactive point optical smoke detector specifically engineered for deployment in hazardous industrial, maritime, and offshore environments. Functioning on the photoelectric light-scattering principle, this detector integrates Autronica’s proprietary SelfVerify system and DYFI+ adaptive intelligence to provide responsive, drift-compensated detection of visible combustion particles while filtering out misleading environmental phenomena.

Designed for intrinsically safe (Ex ia) topologies, the BHH-500/EX features advanced printed circuit board (PCB) protective coating to endure heavy humidity and salt-laden corrosive atmospheres common to commercial shipboard engine rooms, cargo holds, and offshore oil platforms. The detector head also incorporates a built-in thermistor to supply real-time point temperature telemetry back to the main fire alarm panel.

Model Details

• Brand: Autronica Fire and Security
• Model: BHH-500/EX
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 116-BHH-500/EX

Technical Specifications: 116-BHH-500/EX

Main Features

1. SelfVerify Technology: Automatically performs an internal calibrated sensitivity test every 24 hours to verify the optical chamber is responding appropriately to smoke, considerably reducing manual field testing.
2. Intrinsically Safe Ex ia Design Fully approved for direct use in explosive atmospheres including Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous environments.
3. DYFI+ Adaptive Intelligence – Dynamic filtering algorithms continuously monitor the ambient environment within the chamber to help eliminate false alarms produced by airborne dust, localized steam or transitory exhaust fumes.
4. Conformal Coated PCB Integrated environmental barrier coating protects vulnerable surface mount components from electrolytic corrosion in high humidity and saltwater maritime conditions.
5. Integral Short-Circuit Isolator Built-in loop isolator for isolation of line failures, while maintaining the integrity of the overall loop circuit across the rest of the network devices.

Industrial Applications

1. Commercial maritime vessels (LNG carriers, tankers, container ships, cruise liners)
2. Offshore oil and gas platforms, FPSO vessels, and drillships
3. Petrochemical refineries, gas processing plants, and fuel storage terminals
4. Hazardous material warehouses, paint lockers, and battery storage rooms
5. Marine machinery spaces, emergency generator rooms, and thruster compartments

System Compatibility

Fire Alarm Control Panels: AutroSafe (Version 3.6 and higher) and Autroprime interactive panels.

Intrinsically Safe Barriers: Must be coupled through the mandatory Autronica BZ-500 Zener Barrier assembly when routing loop lines into Zone 0 or Zone 1 spaces.

Compatible Mounting Bases:

• Standard Detector Socket: BWA-100
• Heavy Industrial Conduit Boxes: BWP-100/20 (M20 entries) and BWP-100/25 (M25 entries).

Accessories: BBR-52 SmartBuzzer local audible base sounder.

Part Number Cross-References

• Autronica Legacy Part Number: 116-BHH-500/EX
• AutroGuard Retro Line Upgrade Interchange Part Number: 116-BHH-500/EX/SPARE

Marine Engineering Field Insights

The Maintenance Advantage of SelfVerify:

Because the BHH-500/EX forces an internal optical test every 24 hours by reflecting a calibrated light pulse within its labyrinth chamber, you do not need to walk the decks with aerosol smoke poles every month to satisfy PMS (Planned Maintenance System) parameters. Annual physical verification is typically all that is required by class surveyors, provided the log database indicates green statuses across the panels.

Mitigating Condensation in Wash-Down Zones:

While this detector head features an IP44D index and specialized PCB coating, condensation tracking down the overhead deck plating can easily bridge the terminals inside standard BWA-100 bases. In high-humidity areas like engine room flats or purifier spaces, always utilize the BWP-100/20 conduit box with bottom-entry cable glands and a small drip loop to prevent moisture track-back.