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Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

46 CFR 197.332: PVHO—Decompression chambers.

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. Title 46—Shipping
  2. CHAPTER I—COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
  3. SUBCHAPTER V—MARINE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS
  4. PART 197—GENERAL PROVISIONS
  5. Subpart B—Commercial Diving Operations

Each decompression chamber must—

(a) Meet the requirements of § 197.328;

(b) Have internal dimensions sufficient to accommodate a diver lying in a horizontal position and another person tending the diver;

(c) Have a capability for ingress and egress of personnel and equipment while the occupants are under pressure;

(d) Have a means of operating all installed man-way locking devices, except disabled shipping dogs, from both sides of a closed hatch;

(e) Have interior illumination sufficient to allow visual observation, diagnosis, and medical treatment of an occupant.

(f) Have one bunk for each two occupants;

(g) Have a capability that allows bunks to be seen over their entire lengths from the exterior;

(h) Have a minimum pressure capability of—

(1) 6 ATA, when used for diving to 300 fsw; or

(2) The maximum depth of the dive, when used for diving operations deeper than 300 fsw, unless a closed bell meeting the requirements of § 197.330(a) (3), (4), and (5) is used;

(i) Have a minimum pressurization rate of 2 ATA per minute to 60 fsw and at least 1 ATA per minute thereafter;

(j) Have a decompression rate of 1 ATA per minute to 33 fsw;

(k) Have an external pressure gage for each pressurized compartment;

(l) Have a capability to supply breathing mixtures at the maximum rate required by each occupant doing heavy work; and

(m) Have a sound-powered headset or telephone as a backup to the communications system required by § 197.328(c) (5) and (6), except when that communications system is a sound-powered system.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:22Z. Source file · JSON

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