RECOMPRESSION CHAMBER

Introduction

• The air decompression chamber is designed for controlled decompression and recompression of divers engaged in commercial and offshore diving operations. This system, also referred to as an air dive chamber, recompression chamber, hyperbaric air chamber, or air pressure chamber, is intended for safe human occupancy under pressurized conditions. The chamber can be integrated into surface-oriented diving systems and supplied in various system integration configurations and customization options to suit offshore vessels, platforms, or land-based diving facilities.
  
  With over 23 years of engineering experience in subsea and diving life-support systems, JK Subsea delivers certified diving chambers built for demanding offshore and marine environments. The company operates under established quality and safety management systems and follows internationally recognized pressure vessel and diving equipment standards for design, manufacturing, inspection, and testing. JK Subsea also manufactures specialized hyperbaric systems such as the HBOT chamber for medical and therapeutic applications.
  
  JK Subsea is a specialized manufacturer and supplier of air decompression chambers, providing fully integrated recompression chamber systems for commercial diving contractors, offshore operators, and marine engineering companies worldwide.
  
  JK Subsea combines practical offshore project experience with certified engineering processes to ensure product reliability and diver safety. Every air decompression chamber is manufactured using approved materials, qualified welding procedures, third-party inspection, and documented testing in accordance with IMCA guidelines and PVHO pressure vessel requirements. This ensures consistent performance, regulatory compliance, and operational safety in professional diving environments.
  

Design Standards

• D018 (Code of practice for the initial and periodic examination, testing, and certification of diving plant and systems)
  D023 (Design for Surface Oriented (Air) Diving Systems)
  D037 (Design for Surface Oriented (Mixed Gas) Diving Systems)
  
  
• These IMCA guidelines define requirements for the design, inspection, testing, and certification of diving plant and systems to ensure operational safety of air decompression chambers used in professional diving environments.
  
  

Chamber Description

• The 60-inch internal diameter Twin-Lock Air Decompression Chamber features an Entry Lock and a Main Lock for controlled air decompression. The twin-lock configuration enables safe personnel transfer without loss of chamber pressure during decompression procedures.
  
  

Technical Specification for 6 Men RCC

• Equipment: Air Decompression Chamber
• Model No: JK-ADC-CLASS


• Design Code: ASME Section VIII Division 1 & PVHO-1 (2022)
• Maximum Allowable Working Pressure: 10 Bar
• Hydro Test Pressure: 15 Bar
• Internal Volume: 6 cubic meters


• Design Pressure:
• -10°C (Minimum)
• +60°C (Maximum)


• Operating Temperature: 9.5 C
• Content Fluid: Compressed Air
• Service: Human Occupancy (6 Men)
• Material of Construction: SA 516 Grade 70


• Chamber Dimension :
  60" Internal Diameter
  142" Length
  70" Width
  76" Height

Air Decompression Chamber Construction

Chamber Control Panel:

Control Panel Instrumentation

What’s Inside the Air Decompression Chamber

Safety Features of the Air Decompression Chamber

• The Air Decompression Chamber is engineered as a life-support system where diver safety is the highest priority. Multiple integrated safety systems are incorporated to ensure safe operation during both routine decompression and emergency recompression scenarios.
  
  Certified Pressure Vessel for Human Occupancy
  The chamber is designed and manufactured as a Pressure Vessel for Human Occupancy (PVHO). Structural integrity, material selection, welding procedures, and testing are carried out to ensure safe performance under repeated pressurization cycles.
  
  Twin-Lock Configuration for Safe Diver Transfer
  The dual-lock arrangement, consisting of a Main Lock and Entry Lock, allows personnel transfer without loss of internal pressure. This design supports medical lock operations and diver entry/exit while maintaining controlled chamber conditions.
  
  Pressure Relief and Over-Pressurization Protection
  The chamber is equipped with pressure relief valves and protection systems to prevent accidental over-pressurization. These devices safeguard both the structure and occupants during abnormal operating conditions.
  
  Continuous Atmosphere Monitoring
  Gas monitoring instruments continuously measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside the chamber. This ensures that breathable air quality remains within safe limits throughout the decompression process.
  
  Emergency Breathing and Life-Support Systems
  Dedicated emergency breathing provisions, including the Built-In Breathing System (BIBS), allow occupants to receive oxygen during therapeutic treatment or emergency situations without affecting the overall chamber atmosphere.
  
  Fire Safety in Hyperbaric Conditions
  All internal fire safety equipment, including hyperbaric-rated fire extinguishers and fire-retardant materials, is selected for safe use in pressurized and oxygen-enriched environments.
  
  Redundant Pressure Monitoring
  Multiple pressure gauges and monitoring instruments are installed for both locks to ensure accurate pressure control and provide redundancy in case of instrument failure.
  
  Emergency Communication System
  A reliable communication system connects the chamber interior with the operator at the control panel, allowing continuous voice communication during pressurization and treatment operations.

Certifications & Quality Assurance

• JK Subsea follows strict engineering and quality control procedures to ensure that each Air Decompression Chamber meets international safety and performance standards.
  
  Controlled Quality Management System
  Manufacturing activities are performed under established quality management procedures that cover design control, material handling, fabrication, inspection, and documentation.
  
  ASME Pressure Vessel Fabrication
  The chamber pressure shell is manufactured in accordance with ASME Section VIII Division 1, ensuring compliance with globally recognized pressure vessel construction standards.
  
  PVHO Compliance
  The chamber is designed to meet PVHO (Pressure Vessel for Human Occupancy) requirements, which govern safety aspects unique to hyperbaric chambers intended for human use.
  
  IMCA Guideline Compliance
  System design and safety philosophy follow IMCA recommendations for diving plant and system construction, inspection, and operational safety.
  
  Third-Party Inspection and Certification
  Independent inspection agencies can be involved during fabrication, testing, and final acceptance to provide class or third-party certification as required by clients or regulatory bodies.
  
  Material Traceability and Qualified Welding
  All pressure-retaining materials are traceable to mill certificates. Welding procedures are qualified, and welders are certified to ensure structural reliability.
  
  Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
  Each chamber undergoes hydrostatic pressure testing, functional testing of valves and systems, and documentation review before delivery.
  
  Documentation and Certification Records
  Complete documentation packages including design calculations, test reports, material certificates, and inspection records are provided for verification and regulatory approval.
  
  

Applications of Air Decompression Chamber

• Commercial Surface Air Diving
  Controlled decompression after underwater operations using compressed air.
  
  Emergency Recompression Treatment
  Immediate treatment for decompression sickness or pressure-related injuries.
  
  Offshore Oil & Gas Diving Support
  Installed on offshore platforms and diving vessels for subsea operations.
  
  Subsea Construction and Marine Engineering
  Supports underwater installation, welding, and inspection works.
  
  Port and Harbor Infrastructure
  Used during inspection and maintenance of marine civil structures.
  
  Onshore Diving Support Bases
  Provides decompression capability at land-based diving facilities.
  
  Diver Training and Hyperbaric Facilities
  Used for diver training and emergency response simulation.