Gas Testing of Equipment to be Used in Alvin?s Personnel Sphere

 The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Alvin’s certifying agency, requires the testing of all scientific instrumentation brought into the personnel sphere for toxicity and flammability. The testing consists of  24 hours of operation in an isolated chamber at 100degF to measure offgassing, followed by a 15-minute, power-on bench segment to record maximum component temperatures. The tests are performed at WHOI some period of time (usually 30 days) prior to cruise departure, and gas samples are sent to a chemical lab for analysis. Items are tagged following testing, and a list of tested material is maintained at WHOI so that repeated tests of unmodified instruments will not be required.

Remember: if your gear is not tested, the Operations Group on board Atlantis will not allow it to be taken into the sphere. Any questions about this procedure should be directed to Rick Chandler at WHOI.