20 / 07 / 07 - Customer demand creates new pressure testing capability

The National Hyperbaric Centre has installed an 800 bar/8,000 metre pressure test vessel creating what is understood to be the deepest commercial subsea testing facility in the country. "Our pressure testing facilities are already extensive" said Managing Director, David Smith. "Our aim is to develop the National Hyperbaric Centre to be the leading pressure testing facility for underwater equipment and as we are customer led, it was a priority to respond to the demand. Although this is designed primarily for electronic housings and camera testing we are also looking at larger vessels to test some of the deeper subsea control modules. We have also recently been asked for deeper and larger testing equipment in the region of 4,500m." Ultimately, the National Hyperbaric Centre is planning to expand its facilities to include a deep testing chamber, similar to their current 100 bar chamber which accommodates equipment to a maximum 8m length. The National Hyperbaric Centre is developing to be the primary subsea test house in the UK. Developing upon its UKAS test laboratory approval and self imposed remit of The Centre of Excellence for Subsea Safety the company is expanding itself as a key supplier of services to the next generation of subsea challenges.