/sys$common/syshlp/helplib.hlb Sys Parameters, DEADLOCK_WAIT  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    DEADLOCK_WAIT defines the number of seconds that a lock request
    must wait before the system initiates a deadlock search on behalf
    of that lock. Setting DEADLOCK_WAIT to 0 disables deadlock
    checking. Setting DEADLOCK_WAIT to a value greater than 0 but
    still less than the default setting provides faster detection of
    deadlocks but requires more CPU usage.

    DEADLOCK_WAIT is a DYNAMIC parameter.