Ventilation control apparatus for an engine room of a ship

A ventilation control apparatus for an engine room of a ship which contains a gasoline engine of a spark ignition type, comprising:

• a source of electrical power (V, I1, I2);
• a ventilating device opened at one end to the engine room and at the other end to the atmosphere for ventilating the engine room;
• a device (SM) coupled to the engine for starting the engine;
• a main switch (MSW) coupled to the power source for starting the engine;
• a timer (TR) coupled to the main switch (MSW) and to the timer switch (TRS) and responsive to the operation of the main switch (MSW) and to cause the timer switch (TRS) to be, for a predetermined period of time, in a first state (A) where the engine starting device (SM) is not energized and the ventilating device is energized and operated, and after the lapse of the predetermined period of time to cause the timer switch (TRS) to be in a second state (B) where the engine starting device (SM) is energized through the main switch (MSW) when the main switch (MSW) is operated to an engine starting position;
• and
• a gas detector (GD) coupled to said ventilating device and to the power source so as to be operable at all times that the power source is energized, and in communication with the engine room for detecting the amount of combustible gas in the engine room, said gas detector being responsive to the amount of combustible gas in the engine room reaching a predetermined level for energizing and operating only the ventilating device independently of the state of the timer (TR), without affecting the operation of the engine.