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Proforma Safety, LLC Proforma PSI…when performanance counts Droplights Can Compromise Structural Integrity of Viewports Beware of locating droplights in close proximity to viewports on submersibles. In this incident, a droplight was placed too close to a viewport in a deck chamber. The radiant heat from the lamp softened the viewport sufficiently to make it pliable enough to allow the pressure in the chamber to flow towards atmospheric pressure. The design temperature of the viewport (125 deg. F / 51.6 deg. C.) had been exceeded, allowing the pressure boundary to be breached and the chamber vented through the viewport to atmospheric pressure. The danger of incandescent light bulbs in close proximity to chamber ports is well known in the diving industry, so many diving contractors have changed to the fluorescent bulb drop lights, as they operate at a lower temperature. However, these lamps can generate heat in excess of 140 degrees. The lesson learned from this incident: do not put any type of drop light in close proximity to a chamber viewport. Remember these important facts: - Measured temperatures from florescent drop lights have
averaged 145 deg. F / 62.7 deg. C. (20 deg. F/ - 6.6 deg.
C. over maximum design temperature)
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