< Previous | Contents | Next >
Section 2 Design Principles
201. Design and construction
1. Manned submersibles are to be fitted with equipment for producing, maintaining and monitoring life
support conditions inside the vehicle. The equipment
ditions can be maintained for the following times in of the submersible:
(1) One man submersibles 72 h
(2) Small submersibles 96 h
(3) Autonomous submersibles 168 h
For submersibles equipped with a diver's lockout,
is to be so designed that the necessary con- excess of the maximum intended duty period
the area of the lockout and any compression
chambers provided are to comply with the requirements set out in Pt 9, Ch 7 of Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships.
2. Equipment is to be installed for the circulation and treatment of the atmosphere in the submersible such that the oxygen partial pressure can be maintained within the range 0.19 ~ 0.24 bar and the CO2 partial pressure can be kept below 0.01 bar in the various spaces. In addition, air purifying and conditioning units are to be installed. The limit values for the permissible atmospheric im- purities are to be agreed with the Society in each case.
3. Facilities are to be provided for supplying the whole crew with food and water and for disposing of waste and effluent during the periods stated in the above Par 1.
4. An emergency respirator or a breathing mask which can be connected to an emergency breathing air system is to be provided for each crew member.
5. Suitable equipment is to be fitted for monitoring the environmental conditions inside the vehicle.
The crew is to be warned by an automatic alarm in the event of inadmissible deviations from the O2 and CO2 partial pressures stated in the above Par 2.