Section 5 Life Support
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Construction & Classification of Submersibles & Diving Systems, July 2022 - Part 8 Submersible Systems Specific Requirements - Chapter 1 Overall Design Requirement for One-man Submersible Atmospheric Diving Suit System (ADS systems) - Section 5 Life Support

Section 5 Life Support

5.1 General requirements

5.1.1 One-man submersible atmospheric diving suits shall be provided with the on-board emergency means of life support to maintain the occupant in a safe and breathable atmosphere for a minimum period of 24 hours.

5.1.2 One-man submersible atmospheric diving suits shall:
  1. Contain adequate equipment to maintain a safe and breathable atmosphere in the Operator's compartment. Where electrical power is used, the equipment shall be capable of functioning whether or not the main electrical power source of the suit is operable;
  2. contain monitoring devices to test the atmosphere in the Operator's compartment;
  3. The ADS is to be provided with the following instrumentation for monitoring the life support conditions within the human occupancy pressure boundary of the ADS:
    1. Oxygen analyser;
    2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) analyser;
    3. temperature measurement device;
    4. suit internal pressure gauge.

    In addition to the above instrumentation, displays or gauges are to be provided to show the breathing gas storage cylinder supply high pressure and regulated low pressure supply to the human occupancy pressure boundary of the ADS;

  4. at all times carry emergency supplies of food and water to sustain the occupant for the period of 24 hours or as specified by the administration;
  5. contain the minimum of flammable and toxic materials, see Pt 5, Ch 6 Environmental Conditions;
  6. the ADS is to be provided with the appropriate equipment to generate, monitor and maintain suitable life support conditions inside the human occupancy pressure boundary;
  7. the ADS is to be designed so that the concentration of O2 (Oxygen) will be kept within the limits of 19,8 to 22,0 per cent by volume;
  8. the ADS is to be designed so that the concentration of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) will never exceed 0,5 per cent by volume referenced to standard temperature and pressure except in emergency conditions, see also Pt 8, Ch 1, 6.1 General requirements 6.1.5;
  9. The ADS designer is to specify the normal ADS mission duration (including working and resting periods) as well as the reserve duration, along with the associated metabolic parameters that are applied to each of these durations. The normal life support system is to have sufficient life support capacity for the anticipated maximum mission duration, including consideration of the metabolic workload(s). The anticipated maximum mission duration is to be defined by the ADS designer, but is not to be less than 6 hours. The normal life support system is to include two independent Oxygen banks (supplies) and piping systems. One of the two independent Oxygen banks is to have sufficient Oxygen capacity to support the anticipated maximum mission duration. The remainder of the Oxygen capacity in the two independent banks (after considering the anticipated maximum mission duration) is to be sufficient to support the reserve mission duration as defined in these Rules. The normal life support system is to include at least one Carbon Dioxide (CO2) removal system. The scrubber of the CO2 removal system is to have sufficient absorbent material capacity to support the anticipated maximum mission duration as well as the emergency duration defined in these Rules. The CO2 removal system may consist of a powered blower type circulation system or a lung-powered arrangement using an oral-nasal mask or a full-face mask.

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