As a safety Precaution, the oxygen partial pressure and absolute
concentration within the chamber should be held to an absolute minimum
consistent with the physiological requirements of the occupants. The
quantity of flammable materials and potential ignition sources must also be
kept to an absolute minimum within the chamber.
f.
Protective Clothing. Protective clothing, of materials (such as
Durette Gold) which offer protection even in high-oxygen atmospheres, should
be worn in hyperbaric chambers. In addition, protective clothing should be
complete including shoes, socks, underwear, and head protectors, as well as
outer garments.
g.
Sources of Ignition. Sources of ignition are, but not necessarily
limited to: defective electrical equipment, heated surfaces of lamps, open or
arching switches, overheated motors, electrical thermostats, static sparks,
and mechanically-produced sparks from steel.
5.
STRUCTURAL.
a.
Chamber.
(1) Floors. Chamber floors must be noncombustible in that they
will not burn in 100 percent oxygen at pressures up to 3 ATA (47.1 psia) and
be electrically conductive when tested in accordance with National Fire
Protection Association Standard 56A (Reference (I)) and will have a
resistance not exceeding 1,000,000 ohms.
(2) Bilge. The bilge of a hyperbaric chamber must have a
removable overlaying floor for access for cleaning. Where practical,
chambers should be constructed without bilges or other enclosures that may
collect dirt, dust, or liquids.
(3) Finishes for Corrosion Protection. Only steel chambers are
painted. Aluminum chambers are normally a dull, uneven gray color and
corrosion products can be easily recognized. Painting an aluminum chamber
will hide and further encourage corrosion.
Steel chambers should be painted as follows:
Inside:
One coat of alkyd type, zinc chromate primer, per federal
specification TT-P-645.
One surface coat of soft white, semigloss nonflaming (dry),
chlorinated alkyd resin, enamel, per MIL-E-17970.
Outside:
One coat primer of the same as inside. Two coats of gray,
semigloss, nonflaming (dry), chlorinated, alkyd resin, enamel, per
MIL-E-17972.
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