Safety Flash
Failure of gas supply to diving bell
Failure of gas supply to diving bell
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 14/09
- DivingMachinery and EquipmentManagement of Change
- Pressure systems
- Diving operations
- Breathing apparatusDiving bell
- Functional testingManagement of change
- Subsea
Summary
Checks at a storage depth of 102 metres revealed insufficient breathing-gas flow in both diving bells of a new system. Workshop testing reproduced the problem, and higher-performance regulators restored adequate flow. The flash recommends full functional testing at maximum working depths following significant changes, rather than relying on purging.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
A Member has reported an incident in which there was a failure of the breathing system in a diving bell.
IMCA SF 14/09. Themes: diving, machinery and equipment, management of change.