Safety References
A European Code of Good Practice for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Information:
Publisher: European Science Foundation, Mannheim, Germany (2004); under revision (2016-7)
Description: This document represents a code of good practice for HBO2 therapy, based on expert experience drawn from European professionals, and provides a complete reference document containing guidelines, regulations and standards. It relies on existing European norms for manufacturing and technical aspects, and supplements this with safety issues, facility organization, education and procedures. (approx. 75 pages) ISSN 1605-9204
International Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations
Information:
Publisher: Association of Diving Contractors International, Inc, Houston, Texas (2016)
Description: Prepared by the Association of Diving Contractors International, these are the official consensus standards for commercial diving operations. All known sources of information from governmental agencies and regulations, industrial codes, and scientific data from university, government, and industry have been incorporated. (approx. 332 pages)
ECHM Educational and Training Standards for the Staff of Hyperbaric Medical Centres
Information:
Publisher: European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine, Lille, France (1997)
Description: Prepared by the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine, this document contains job functions and necessary training for various positions in a hyperbaric facility. (approx. 18 pages)
ECHM Recommendations for Safety in Multiplace Medical Hyperbaric Chambers
Information:
Publisher: European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine, Lille, France (1998)
Description: Prepared by the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine, this document comprises a series of safety guidelines for the responsible person in a hyperbaric facility. (approx. 14 pages)
Fire and Life Safety in Health Care Facilities
Author(s): MJ Fischer, TW Gardner, BR Klein, JK Lathrop
Information:
Publisher: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts (2006)
Description: This textbook is a product of the National Fire Protection Association. It was written for engineers, designers, administrators, safety officers and other health care professionals. Its intent is to provide a comprehensive understanding of various codes, standards, and guidelines related to achieving fire and life safety in health care facilities as well as knowledge of how to design and run these facilities accordingly. (approx. 700 pages) ISBN-13: 978-0877657446
Guide to Electrical Safety Standards for Hyperbaric Treatment Centres
Information:
Publisher: British Hyperbaric Association, Aberdeen, United Kingdom (1996)
Description: The document provides basic information on the effects of electricity on the human body, describes basic safety concepts, indicates existing applicable electrical standards, outlines the particular electrical hazards that apply to the hyperbaric environment, and offers guidance on the choice and use of equipment and possible modification. (approx. 24 pages) ISBN 0-952-7623-0-7
Guide to Fire Safety Standards for Hyperbaric Treatment Centres
Information:
Publisher: British Hyperbaric Association, Aberdeen, United Kingdom (1996)
Description: This document provides guidance on how to assess fire risks and then to determine and provide suitable precautions. The chief focus is fire prevention and containment. (approx. 24 pages) ISBN 0-952-7623-1-5
Guidelines for Clinical Multiplace Hyperbaric Facilities
Information:
Publisher: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Dunkirk, Maryland (1994)
Description: This document is a product of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Safety Committee. The purpose is to provide operators of clinical multiplace hyperbaric systems basic guidelines by which to operate such facilities. (approx. 243 pages)
Handbook of Acrylics for Submersibles, Hyperbaric Chambers, and Aquaria
Author(s): JD Stachiw
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Company, Flagstaff, Arizona (2003)
Description: This textbook summarizes the theories, test data and work experience accumulated over the years in the design, fabrication and operation of acrylic plastic viewports in submersibles, hyperbaric chambers, and aquaria. This fully illustrated 1,080-page book solves current practical engineering problems in the design of the pressure-resistant acrylic plastic viewports in the entire pressure range from full vacuum to 20,000 psi. (approx. 1060 pages)
Health and Safety for Therapeutic Hyperbaric Facilities: A Code of Practice
Information:
Publisher: British Hyperbaric Association, Norwich, United Kingdom (2000)
Description: The document provides good standards and practices for compliance with the UK Health and Safety Legislation. It is primarily concerned with the safety of working personnel and others who may be affected by the operation of a hyperbaric facility. (approx. 42 pages) ISBN 0-952-7623-2-3
Health Care Facilities Handbook
Information:
Publisher: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts (2015)
Description: This handbook is a product of the National Fire Protection Association. It contains the full text of the NFPA 99 standard, insightful commentary, FAQs, plus hundreds of illustrations and photos. It is useful for installers of hospital equipment, safety engineers, facilities managers and directors, architects, engineers, design firms, AHJs, inspectors, and enforcers. (approx. 650 pages)
Hyperbaric Facilities, Occupational Health and Safety (CSA Z275.1-05 (R2012)
Information:
Publisher: Canadian Standards Association, Toronto, Canada (2012)
Description: This standard establishes the minimum requirements for the design, construction, maintenance and testing of hyperbaric chambers for the purpose of applying the appropriate registered CSA Mark. ISSN 0317-5669
Hyperbaric Facility Safety: A Practical Guide
Author(s): WT Workman (ed.)
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, Arizona (1999)
Description: This textbook was written with the objective of creating a comprehensive source to assist established hyperbaric programs, serve as a safety primer for those developing programs, and help cultivate the mindset vital to maintaining a safe environment for staff and patients. (approx. 750 pages)
Hyperbaric Oxygen: Wound Healing, Safety, Cost Effectiveness
Author(s): DJ Bakker, JC Le Péchon, A Marroni (eds.)
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, Arizona (1998)
Description: This document is a product of the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine as a result of the 1st European Workshop on Hyperbaric Medicine. It contains explanations of the use of hyperbaric oxygen in complicated wound healing, the importance of safety in the hyperbaric environment, and a careful evaluation of the cost effectiveness involved in the application of hyperbaric therapy. (approx. 200 pages)
Standard for the Inspection, Testing & Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Suppression Systems. NFPA 25
Information:
Publisher: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts (2014)
Description: This National Fire Protection Association standard provides contractors, building owners, fire marshals, and others with a comprehensive program to ensure that all water-based extinguishing system components are in peak operating condition. (approx. 144 pages)
International Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Information:
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, New York (2015)
Description: This code is a product of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It establishes rules of safety governing the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels, and nuclear power plant components during construction.
Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber Safety Guidelines
Author(s): L Weaver, M Strauss (eds.)
Information:
Publisher: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Dunkirk, Maryland (1997)
Description: This document is a product of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Safety Committee. The purpose is to provide basic information regarding safety and setup of the monoplace hyperbaric chamber facility, and patient management. (approx. 60 pages)
Nitrox Manual
Author(s): D Rutkowski
Information:
Publisher: Hyperbaric International, Inc., Key Largo, Florida (1994)
Description: A simplified, conservative instructor/student guide for the use and handling of nitrogen-oxygen mixtures as divers' breathing gas. Includes discussions about what nitrox is and who should use it, the physics, physiology and pathophysiology of nitrox, safety precautions for commercial and sport divers, operations, training for mixers/users, decompression tables, and quizzes. (approx. 82 pages)
NOAA Diving Manual
Author(s): J Joiner (ed.)
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, Arizona (5th Ed. 2013)
Description: This document is a product of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It contains basic through advanced applied diving technologies and is written in a non-technical style so it will be informative to all who are interested in safe diving. (approx. 670 pages)
Patient Safety: Prevention and Treatment of Complications in Hyperbaric Medicine
Author(s): P Mueller, C Pirone, P Barach (eds.)
Information:
Publisher: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Dunkirk, Maryland (2002)
Description: This document is a product of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society as a result of the 52nd Workshop of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. (approx. 200 pages)
Pressure vessels for human occupancy – Part 2: Accessible pressure vessels for hyperbaric therapy, safety requirements and testing. (DIN 13256 Part 2)
Information:
Publisher: DIN, Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin (2000)
Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy – Part 3: Fire Extinguishing Systems in Pressure Vessels, Safety Requirements and Testing (DIN 13256 Part 3)
Information:
Publisher: DIN, Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin (2001)
Pressure Chambers for Human Occupancy – Part 4: Single Person Pressure Chambers for Hyperbaric Therapy: Safety Requirements and Testing. (DIN 13256 Part 4)
Information:
Publisher: DIN, Beuth Verlag GmbH, Berlin (2002)
Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy (PVHO). Multiplace Pressure Chamber Systems for Hyperbaric Therapy – Performance, Safety Requirements and Testing. EN 14931:2006
Information:
Publisher: CEN European Committee for Standardization, Brussels
Description: The standard is applicable to the performance and safety requirements – and their associated test methods – for multiplace pressure chambers designed for use in medical installations.
Respiratory Equipment – Compressed Gases for Breathing Apparatus. EN 12021:2014
Information:
Publisher: CEN European Committee for Standardization, Brussels
Description: This standard specifies requirements for the quality of compressed gas supplied for mixing or use in respiratory protective devices and hyper- and hypobaric operations. (approx. 30 pages)
Hyperbaric Chambers – Specific Requirements for Fire Extinguishing Systems – Performance, Installation and Testing. EN 16081
Information:
Publisher: CEN European Committee for Standardization, Brussels (2011 + A1: 2013)
Description: This standard applies to the performance and safety requirements of fire extinguishing systems and their associated test methods for multiplace chambers. (approx. 20 pages)
Medical Devices – Application of Risk Management to Medical Devices. EN 14971
Information:
Publisher: CEN European Committee for Standardization, Brussels (2003 + A1: 2003)
Description: This international standard provides a procedure by which a manufacturer can identify hazards associated with medical devices. (approx. 40 pages)
Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy, Part 1: Hyperbaric Chambers (therapeutic) (SABS 0377-1)
Information:
Publisher: South Africa Bureau of Standards, Pretoria (2002)
Description: This document provides guidance on the safe application, maintenance and operation of hyperbaric chambers for therapeutic use.
Recommended Practice on Materials, Equipment, and Systems Used in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres. NFPA 53
Information:
Publisher: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts (1999)
Description: This information document from the National Fire Protection Association covers materials, system designs and fire controls associated with OEAs (oxygen-enriched atmospheres). This guide documents actual reports of fire experience in OEAs. (approx. 60 pages)
Recommended Practice on Static Electricity. NFPA 77
Information:
Publisher: National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts (2014)
Description: This recommended practice applies to the identification, risk assessment and control of static electricity for the purposes of preventing fires and explosions. It provides a basic understanding of the phenomena of static electric discharges and how they can serve as ignition sources. Basic information on bonding and grounding is also included (approx. 75 pages)
Risk Assessment Guide for Recompression Facilities
Author(s): F Burman
Information:
Publisher: International ATMO, Inc. San Antonio, Texas (2011 3rd edition 2016)
Description: This guide provides a means of assessing whether a recompression facility complies with the minimum technical safety requirements for the treatment of injured scuba divers. (approx. 56 pages)
Risk Assessment Guide for the Installation and Operation of Clinical Hyperbaric Facilities
Author(s): F Burman
Information:
Publisher: International ATMO, Inc., San Antonio, Texas (5th edition revised 2015)
Description: This guidebook provides health care professionals with a user-friendly tool for assessing risk associated with installing and operating a clinical hyperbaric facility. For convenience to the reader, separate Risk Assessment Guides are provided for monoplace and multiplace facilities. (approx. 150 pages)
Safe Use of Oxygen and Oxygen Systems: Guidelines for Oxygen System Design, Materials Selection, Operations, Storage, and Transportation
Author(s): H Beeson, W Stewart, S Woods
Information:
Publisher: American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (2000)
Description: This comprehensive manual is a product of the American Society for Testing and Materials. It provides a practical set of guidelines on how to safely store, handle and use oxygen. It contains chapters that cover hazards, materials compatibility, design concepts and cleaning for oxygen service. (approx. 100 pages)
Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy. ANSI/ASME PVHO-1
Information:
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, New York (2012)
Description: This standard is a product of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It provides requirements for the design, fabrication, and inspection, testing, marking and stamping of pressure vessels for human occupancy (PVHOs) chambers. This standard also provides requirements for the design, fabrication, inspection, testing, cleaning and certification of piping systems for PVHOs. (approx. 184 pages)
Safety Standard for Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy: In-service Guidelines for PVHO Acrylic Windows. ANSI/ASME PVHO-2
Information:
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, New York (2012)
Description: This Standard is a product of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. It provides technical criteria and guidelines for the in-service inspection, care, repair or replacement, testing and recertification of PVHO acrylic windows in pressure vessels for human occupancy. It also provides technical criteria for the user to establish the serviceability of a PVHO acrylic window under its specific environmental service conditions. Judicious use of this standard will allow the user and/or the jurisdictional authority to determine when a PVHO acrylic window requires replacement. (approx. 60 pages)
Safety Supervision of Multi-seat Hyperbaric Chambers in a Clinic Environment. (ISPESL/C.I. Document)
Information:
Publisher: ISPESL, Rome (1999)
Description: This document provides safety measures to aid in the prevention of injuries that might occur during the operation of multiseat hyperbaric chambers used for medical treatments in a clinical environment. (approx. 45 pages)
The Technical Guide to Gas Blending
Author(s): N Raftis
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, Arizona (2000)
Description: Organized in a simple but thorough format, this book enables the mixed-gas diver to understand safety and mechanical issues. This book is a "how to” for gas blenders. (approx. 160 pages)
UHMS Guidelines for Hyperbaric Facility Operations
Author(s): WT Workman (ed.)
Information:
Publisher: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, Dunkirk, Maryland (2004)
Description: This guideline is a product of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (formerly titled "Operations Committee Report"). The subject matter includes staffing, training and job descriptions for a clinical hyperbaric facility. Also included are infection control and quality assurance. (approx. 30 pages) ISBN-0-930406-16-8
U.S. Navy Diving and Manned Hyperbaric Safety Systems Safety Certification Manual
Information:
Publisher: Naval Sea Systems Command, Arlington, Virginia 2004
Description: This manual is a product of the United States Navy. The goal is to make the system certification process clear-cut and easier to understand for diving system designers, acquisition managers, operators and maintainers. (approx. 334 pages)
U.S. Navy Diving Manual
Information:
Publisher: Naval Sea Systems Command, Arlington, Virginia Revision 7 (01 December 2016)
Description: This manual is a product of the United States Navy. It is a comprehensive set of procedures covering all aspects of military diving operations. It is divided into five volumes: Diving Principles and Policies, Air Diving Operations, Mixed-Gas Surface-Supplied Diving Operations, Closed-Circuit and Semiclosed-Circuit Diving Operations, and Diving Medicine and Recompression Chamber Operations. (approx. 992 pages)
Work in Compressed Air and Hyperbaric Facilities: Part 2: Hyperbaric Oxygen Facilities. (AS 4774.2-2002)
Information:
Publisher: Standards Australia, Sydney, Australia (2002)
Description: The objective of this standard is to provide designers, manufacturers, operators and maintainers of hyperbaric oxygen facilities with requirements and recommendations to ensure the safe exposure of all persons involved in the operation of a hyperbaric facility. (approx. 73 pages)
Handbook on Hyperbaric Medicine
Author(s): D Mathieu (ed.)
Information:
Publisher: Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands (2006)
Description: A comprehensive and collaborative effort by the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine, which includes chapters on practices and safety in hyperbaric Medicine. (approx. 812 pages)
Life Support Systems Design: Diving and Hyperbaric Applications
Author(s): M.L. Nuckols, W.C. Tucker, A.J. Sarich
Information:
Publisher: Pearson Custom Publishing, Boston, Massachusetts (1996)
Description: A technical manual detailing the principles followed in the design and specification of hyperbaric life support equipment. (approx. 295 pages)
Flammability and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres
Author(s): D.B. Hirsch, et al. (ed.)
Information:
Publisher: American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania (2006)
Description: The 11th volume in the series of technical publications by the ASTM committee G4, which includes a series of peer-reviewed publications. (approx. 360 pages)
Safe Diving (English)
Author(s): S Gošovic
Information:
Publisher: Best Publishing Co, Flagstaff, Arizona (1993)
Description: A detailed textbook on underwater medicine and diving techniques, from a commercial diving perspective. (approx. 500 pages)
Commercial and Naval Deep Diving Manual (English)
Author(s): S Gošovic, G Gošovic
Information:
Publisher: Laurana d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia (2010)
Description: A manual detailing the fundamental principles of deep diving techniques, medicine and equipment. (approx. 487 pages)
Rules for Building and Classing Underwater Vehicles, Systems and Hyperbaric Facilities
Information:
Publisher: American Bureau of Shipping, New York (2012)
Description: Rules followed by designers of hyperbaric systems for use on-board registered ships. (approx. 200 pages)
Principles of Safety and Performance for Medical Hyperbaric Chambers: Guidelines for Regulatory Submission. STP-PT-047
Information:
Publisher: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York, New York (2011)
Description: This document is intended to provide guidance with development, review and approval of regulatory submissions involving hyperbaric chambers – intended as medical devices. (approx. 22 pages)
UHMS Clinical Hyperbaric Facility Accreditation Manual
Information:
Publisher: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (2005 Rev 1)
Description: This document describes the accreditation processes conducted by the UHMS and provides candidates with guidance as to how to prepare for an accreditation survey.