scope:

This Defence Standard specifies the requirements, and provides guidance information, for the design, installation and testing of compressed air systems in HM Surface Ships and Submarines.

A compressed air system comprises all equipment and pipework from the entry to the compressor air intake trunking to the various consumer inlet terminal points.

Warship Support Agency/Marine Firefighting, Fluid Power and Mechanical Handling 3 (MFFM3) are the Design Authority for all shipborne installed compressed air systems including air reducing stations, charging panels, filters, fixed air compressors and non-transportable aluminium and steel storage cylinders. All references to Design Authority within this standard shall be WSA/MFFM3.

WSA/Underwater Weapon Systems (UWS)4 is responsible for the in-service support and post design aspects of the following:

a) Air breathing apparatus which enables the wearer to breathe independently of the immediate atmosphere and include:

i) Damage Control Breathing Apparatus (DCBA) and Firefighting Breathing Apparatus (FFBA);

ii) Smoke Mask - Fresh Air Hose Breathing Apparatus;

iii) Emergency Life Support Apparatus (ELSA);

iv) All underwater breathing apparatus including DCBA;

b) Shipborne installed breathing gas systems other than those systems using compressed air;

c) Non-ship-fitted systems including those using compressed air;

d) Booster pumps used solely in breathing applications;

e) Portable air compressors, self contained breathing apparatus cylinders (including those used for damage control purposes) and transportable steel storage cylinders used for breathing gases.

WSA/UWS4 are also responsible for standards of all breathing gases in the Royal Navy (RN) including air supplied through individual breathing apparatus for diving and firefighting.