[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 7]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR197.456]

[Page 435-436]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 197_GENERAL PROVISIONS--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart B_Commercial Diving Operations
 
Sec. 197.456  Breathing supply hoses.

    (a) The diving supervisor shall insure that--
    (1) Each breathing supply hose is pressure tested prior to being 
placed into initial service and every 24 months thereafter to 1.5 times 
its maximum working pressure;
    (2) Each breathing supply hose assembly, prior to being placed into 
initial service and after any repair, modification, or alteration, is 
tensile tested by--
    (i) Subjecting each hose-to-fitting connection to a 200 pound axial 
load; and
    (ii) Passing a visual examination for evidence of separation, 
slippage, or other damage to the assembly;
    (3) Each breathing supply hose is periodically checked for--
    (i) Damage which is likely to affect pressure integrity; and
    (ii) Contamination which is likely to affect the purity of the 
breathing mixture delivered to the diver; and
    (4) The open ends of each breathing supply hose are taped, capped, 
or plugged when not in use.
    (b) To meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, 
each breathing supply hose must be--

[[Page 436]]

    (1) Carefully inspected before being shipped to the dive location;
    (2) Visually checked during daily operation; and
    (3) Checked for noxious or offensive odor before each diving 
operation.