IMCA publishes guidance on hyperbaric reception facilities

Published on 5 May 2014

The safety of divers in saturation is of paramount importance. With this in mind, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) – Booth S18 at OTC 2014 – has published ‘Diving Equipment Systems Inspection Guidance Note (DESIGN) for the hyperbaric reception facility (HRF) forming part of a hyperbaric evacuation system (HES)’ (IMCA D 053).

“D 053 should always be used in conjunction with IMCA D 018 ‘Code of practice on the initial and periodic examination, testing and certification of diving plant and equipment’,” explains IMCA’s Technical Director, Jane Bugler.”Indeed, cross references to this Code are provided where appropriate.

“Our new document addresses the provision of an HRF as part of an HES as utilised within the offshore diving industry, and aims to provide a comprehensive reference source, addressing the philosophy of what equipment and layout is required for an HRF, plus the examination, test and certification requirements necessary to meet agreed industry practice.

“This will apply anywhere in the world (i.e. outside the territorial waters of most countries or inside territorial waters where offshore diving, normally in support of the oil and gas or renewable energy industries is being carried out).”

The newly published document offers examples of good practice. It gives advice on aspects of an HRF that can be configured in certain ways in order to provide a safer system of working. It also identifies how inspection and testing can be carried out safely and efficiently.

The document as no direct legal status, but many courts, in the absence of specific local regulations, would accept that a company carrying out diving operations in line with the recommendations of IMCA D 053 was using safe and accepted practices.

In addition to a comprehensive introduction, the guidance includes sections on acronyms, the competent person, responsibilities, planned maintenance systems (PMS), key features of the document, completing the document, references; and 25 pages of details sheets.

IMCA D 053 can be downloaded free of charge from the IMCA website at legacy.imca-int.com by members and non-members alike. Printed copies are available at £10.00 for members, or £20 for non-members (plus 20% for delivery outside Europe) from publications@legacy.imca-int.com .

Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of its 970+ member companies in over 60 countries is available from legacy.imca-int.com and imca@legacy.imca-int.com. The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint

About IMCA

• IMCA is an international association with some 970 members in over 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA Vision & Strategy. As a result of work and collective input in 2013, IMCA has redefined its stated core purpose to be”Improving performance in the marine contracting industry”. To achieve this goal, IMCA’s Vision & Strategy has been devised with two elements in mind: Core activities and ways of working. Targets and objectives against which the association will measure progress in 2014 have been established. Note to Editors: We are more than happy to expand on this in tailor-made articles – just put us to the test, email judithpatten@jppr.uk.com or phone her on +44(0)20 8241 1912 to explain what you would like covered, length, and deadline.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.