Safety Flash
Hot water fitting failure results in 3m loss of depth in diving bell
Hot water fitting failure results in 3m loss of depth in diving bell
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 08/19
- DivingInspection and MaintenancePressure Systems
- Loss of containmentMechanical failurePressure systems
- Diving operationsInspection and maintenance
- Diving bell
- Competence and trainingEnergy and process isolationPre-use checksPreventive maintenance
Summary
A diving bell lost pressure during pre-dive checks following a cracked hot-water fitting. Impact from a diver’s bailout bottle was believed to have caused the failure. The team isolated the leak. The flash highlights effective drills, uncertain fitting replacement history, inspection for impact damage and recording critical components in planned maintenance systems.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Summary
Whilst the diving bell was on the surface, pre-dive bell checks were being completed by the Bellman, when it was observed by the Dive Supervisor and Bellman that the bell was losing pressure.
IMCA SF 08/19. Themes: diving, inspection and maintenance, pressure systems.