ISO 21173 specifies a test method for the hydrostatic pressure test for pressure hull and buoyancy materials of submersibles. The test sequence comprises a tightness test and the hydrostatic pressure test itself. It can also include continuous pressurization and depressurization tests, long-term static load, and cycling external pressure tests.
Note1: ISO 21173 is applicable to the pressure structure of manned submersibles and unmanned submersibles, including the pressure hull, its accessories (such as viewports, hatches, and connectors), and buoyancy materials.
Note2: The long-term static load and cycling external pressure tests are only applicable to buoyancy material.
Note3: ISO 21173 is not applicable to submarines and other submersibles parking or operating underwater for more than one week.
ISO 21132 on pressure hull and buoyancy material is useful for:
The pressure hull of a ship maintains structural integrity with the difference between outside and inside pressure at depth. The assessment of a ship's ability to withstand environmental loads is very crucial.
ISO 21173 provides a unified specification for the hydrostatic pressure test method applicable to the pressure hull and buoyancy materials of submersibles to confirm that their pressure resistance performance is normal prior to assembly.ISO 21173