GB28396-2012
The safety requirement for mixed gas diving
混合气潜水安全要求
GB 28396-2012 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for The safety requirement for mixed gas diving. It appears in the Food compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of May 1, 2013.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard specifies the safety requirements for surface-supplied mixed gas diving using helium-oxygen (heliox) as the breathing medium. It applies to heliox diving at depths of 120m or less, as well as simulated diving exposed to heliox pressures up to 1.2 MPa. This standard is mandatory for all relevant diving operations and personnel, but it explicitly excludes heliox saturation diving.
Technical requirements
The standard outlines comprehensive mandatory requirements across three main areas: personnel, equipment/systems, and operational procedures. Personnel must meet specific qualification and physical standards as per GB 20827. Equipment requirements cover personal diving gear, umbilicals, gas supply systems, deck decompression chambers, and various entry/exit systems including open and closed diving bells. All equipment must be specifically configured for heliox operations, including dedicated gas pipelines and helium speech correctors. Operational procedures mandate strict protocols for risk assessment, staffing (minimum of 8 personnel), and gas mixing. The breathing gas must be prepared using high-purity helium and oxygen, with oxygen partial pressure strictly controlled between 140kPa and 160kPa. Divers must not perform repetitive dives, and maximum diving depth is capped at 120m. The standard also specifies environmental limits, requiring current speeds not exceeding 0.5m/s and wind forces not exceeding Beaufort scale 5. Gas switching procedures and decompression plan selections must be carefully managed and approved by a diving physician.
Testing methods
The standard requires rigorous on-site inspection and testing of all equipment before operations. This includes verifying the oxygen concentration in emergency cylinders, testing the functionality of deck decompression chambers, and ensuring the structural integrity and leak-proof status of closed diving bells. Gas analysis must be performed immediately after mixing and re-verified after 24 hours and before each use.
FAQs
What operations are regulated under GB 28396-2012?
It regulates surface-supplied helium-oxygen mixed gas diving operations, including the personnel, equipment, and procedures involved, for depths up to 120m.
Is GB 28396-2012 a mandatory standard?
Yes, all technical content in this standard is mandatory for applicable diving operations in China.
What is the maximum diving depth allowed under this standard?
The maximum diving depth for heliox diving under this standard is 120m. For depths exceeding 90m, a closed diving bell must be used.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 28396-2012. To ensure complete compliance for your diving operations entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 28396-2012 today to access all detailed parameters, equipment checklists, and operational procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Safety
- CCS
- R09
- ICS
- 03.220.40, 13.100
- Competent department
- Ministry of Transport
- Technical committee
- Ministry of Transport