SERVICE - PRESSURE TEST -  IMMERSION SUIT

immersion suit pressure test

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 Immersion suits to be inspected regularly and air pressure tested every 3 years

Ref. T4/3.01  MSC/Circ.1114 

  25 May 2004 

GUIDELINES FOR PERIODIC TESTING OF IMMERSION SUIT AND 

ANTI-EXPOSURE SUIT SEAMS AND CLOSURES 

1  The  Maritime  Safety  Committee,  at  its  seventy-eighth  session  (12  to  21  May  2004), 

recognizing that shipboard inspections of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits carried out in 

accordance with SOLAS regulation III/20.7 and MSC/Circ.1047 may not be adequate to detect 

deterioration of seams and closures of the suits due to adhesive ageing, and having considered the 

recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment at its forty-sixth 

session, approved the Guidelines for periodic testing of immersion suit and anti-exposure suit seams 

and closures, as set out in the annex. 

2  Member Governments are invited to bring the annexed Guidelines to the attention of all 

parties concerned. 

MSC/Circ.1114 

I:\CIRC\MSC\1114.DOC 

ANNEX 

GUIDELINES FOR PERIODIC TESTING OF IMMERSION SUIT AND 

ANTI-EXPOSURE SUIT SEAMS AND CLOSURES 

1  Research performed by several Member Governments has demonstrated that the seams and 

closures of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits experience deterioration over time.  The rate and 

severity of deterioration may vary widely, depending upon the specific components and procedures 

employed in the manufacture of the suit and the conditions under which the suit is stored.  However, 

even under ideal conditions, the materials and adhesives used have a finite service life and will 

inevitably experience a reduction in strength and/or loss of watertightness with age. 

2  The Guidelines for monthly shipboard inspection of immersion suits and anti-exposure suits 

(MSC/Circ.1047) are very helpful in identifying obvious problems with a suit, but do not adequately 

address deterioration of seams and closures (zippers, etc.) which may not be readily apparent by 

visual inspection.  Such deterioration can be detected by pressurization of the suit with air, and 

testing of the seams and closures for leaks with a soapy water solution. 

3  To ensure the maintenance of adequate strength and watertightness of seams and closures of 

immersion suits and anti-exposure suits with age, it is recommended that each suit be subjected to an 

air pressure test such as the following, at intervals not exceeding three years, or more frequently for 

suits over ten years of age: 

.1  A suitable head piece, fitted with a means to inject air into the suit, should be inserted 

into the face orifice of the suit and secured so as to minimize leakage around the face 

seal.  A low-pressure monitoring device, either integral to the fitting for air injection 

or as a separate device, should also be inserted.  If the suit is fitted with detachable 

gloves and/or boots, the wrists and/or cuffs should be sealed by inserting a short 

length of suitable diameter plastic pipe and securing the gloves and/or boots with 

suitable wire ties or hose clamps.  The zipper should be fully zipped, and any face 

flap closed.  The suit should then be inflated to a pressure of 0.7 to 1.4 kPa (0.1 to 

0.2 psi).    If  an  auxiliary  inflatable means  of  buoyancy  is  provided,  it  should  be 

inflated through the oral valve to a pressure of 0.7 kPa (0.1 psi) or until firm to the 

touch.   

.2  Each seam and closure of the suit - and each seam, oral tube and attachment points 

and joint or valve of any auxiliary inflatable means of buoyancy - should then be 

covered with a soapy water solution containing enough soap to produce bubbles (if 

leakage is noted at a foot valve to the extent that air pressure cannot be maintained, 

the valves should be sealed for the test). 

.3  If leaks are revealed by the propagation of bubbles at seams or closures, the leaking 

areas should be marked and, after cleaning the suit thoroughly with fresh water and 

drying it, repaired in accordance with the suit manufacturer's recommendations. 

MSC/Circ.1114 

ANNEX  

Page 2 

I:\CIRC\MSC\1114.DOC 

4  It is recommended that the air pressure test be performed at a suitable shore-based facility 

equipped to make any necessary repairs in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.  In 

view of the wide variety of materials and adhesives used in immersion suits and anti-exposure suits, 

it is strongly recommended that any repairs to a suit be carried out by a facility which has access to 

the original manufacturer's recommended servicing instructions, parts and adhesives, and suitably 

trained personnel.  The air pressure test may be carried out on board ship if suitable equipment is 

available. 

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PERIODIC TESTING OF IMMERSION SUIT AND ANTI-EXPOSURE SUIT SEAMS AND CLOSURES (MSC/Circ.1114)