Nova Scotia Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Regulations (SOR/95-189)

16. No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a surface compression chamber in the diving operation unless the surface compression chamber

• (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15;

• (b) contains at least two independently sealable compartments;

• (c) contains sufficient space in at least one of its compartments to enable each occupant to lie down comfortably in the compartment;

• (d) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of eight consecutive hours or less, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 1.5 m;

• (e) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of more than eight consecutive hours, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 2 m;

• (f) is equipped with a medical lock;

• (g) where the surface compression chamber will be used for a period of more than 12 consecutive hours, has adequate sanitation facilities;

• (h) if manufactured after December 31, 1990, is fitted with a through-hull connector suitable for medical monitoring of its occupants; and

• (i) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements of paragraph (h) where the Board so determines pursuant to subsection 142(4) of the Act.

17. No diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used a diving bell in the diving operation unless the diving bell

• (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15;

• (b) is equipped to permit the safe transfer of persons under pressure to and from a surface compression chamber;

• (c) is of a design that

  • (i) provides for an internal space of at least 2 m³ for two- person occupancy and 3 m³ for three-person occupancy,

  • (ii) enables divers to enter and exit without difficulty, and

  • (iii) allows at least two divers dressed-in for a diving operation to be seated comfortably therein;

• (d) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to control the internal pressure and to indicate both inside the diving bell and at the diving station the internal and external pressures;

• (e) is so equipped that any valve used to pressurize the diving bell is spring-loaded so as to close when not held in the open position;

• (f) contains adequate equipment, including reserve facilities, for supplying the appropriate breathing mixture to persons occupying or working from the diving bell, which reserve facilities shall be protected against inadvertent operation and be capable of being brought on-line from inside the diving bell without the assistance of any other person;

• (g) is equipped with a two-way oral communication system by means of which a person inside the diving bell can communicate with the diving supervisor of the diving operation and, via the diving supervisor, with other persons;

• (h) contains equipment for lighting and heating the diving bell;

• (i) is equipped with suitable emergency life-support equipment and provisions for each occupant of the diving bell;

• (j) is equipped with a lifting device sufficient to enable an unconscious or injured diver to be hoisted into the diving bell by a person located in it;

• (k) is provided with lifting equipment that enables the diving bell to be lowered to the depth at which the diving operation is to be conducted, to be maintained in its position and to be raised, all without excessive lateral, vertical or rotational movement;

• (l) is provided with a means whereby, in the event of the failure of the lifting equipment referred to in paragraph (k), the diving bell can be returned to the surface and, where that means involves the shedding of weights, the controls for that shedding can be operated from within the diving bell, and a means is incorporated to prevent the accidental shedding of those weights;

• (m) in addition to a primary lifting cable, is equipped with a suitable tag rope so designed that, in the event the primary cable breaks during a water-air interface transport, the tag rope will not permit the diving bell to descend to a depth greater than 25 m;

• (n) is equipped with a secondary lifting eye, or similar device that is of at least the same strength as the primary lifting eye, and is provided with a secondary lifting cable that is readily available and that has at least the same strength as the primary lifting cable and is compatible with the secondary lifting eye or similar device;

• (o) is fitted with equipment to enable occupants of the diving bell to monitor the temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the diving bell;

• (p) is equipped with a stroboscopic light that is automatically activated in the water and a pinger that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kHz;

• (q) where approved by the Board pursuant to subsection 142(4) of the Act, is fitted with a relocation transponder system that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kHz;

• (r) where appropriate, is fitted with hull integrity valves and non-return valves on all gas and, where practicable, hot-water circuits connected to the diving bell;

• (s) if manufactured after December 31, 1990,

  • (i) is so designed that, if necessary, a diver within the diving bell can

    • (A) disconnect or shear the primary lifting cable and the umbilical,

    • (B) disconnect or shear any other attachments that might prevent ascent,

    • (C) start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the ascent, and

    • (D) where practicable, start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the descent, and

  • (ii) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded four hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time, oral communications, internal and external ambient pressure and the quantity of breathing mixture and electrical power available for use in an emergency and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels; and

• (t) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (s) where the Board so determines pursuant to subsection 142(4) of the Act.