Overview
ISO 23269-3:2011 specifies performance requirements for self-contained air-breathing apparatus (SCBA) used as safety equipment on chemical tankers and gas carriers. Developed to complement the IMO IBC Code (bulk chemicals) and IMO IGC Code (liquefied gases), this ISO part defines what maritime SCBA (not using stored oxygen) must achieve to allow personnel to safely enter gas-filled compartments and carry out work. It is explicitly not intended for firefighting or entry into flames.
Keywords: ISO 23269-3:2011, self-contained breathing apparatus, SCBA for ships, IMO IBC Code, IMO IGC Code, marine breathing apparatus standard.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Performance specifications for SCBA required by IMO codes; complements IMO rules by giving technical detail.
- Design & environmental requirements: The apparatus must meet general design and environmental test requirements referenced from ISO 23269-2 (shipboard firefighter SCBA), ensuring durability and reliability in marine environments.
- Basic performance tests: Conformance with Clause 6 of ISO 23269-2, with specific exceptions (flammability and resistance to radiant heat are not required for this part).
- Chemical permeation resistance test: Practical spray test using coloured water to verify no permeation of the facepiece when sprayed while worn, following ISO 15537 principles for test subjects and conditions.
- Eyepiece and transparent material resistance: Single-droplet exposures to solvents (trichloroethylene, benzene, solvent naphtha, methanol, kerosene) with visual inspection for deterioration (no holes, fogging, hazing).
- Facepiece chemical resistance: Immersion in specified acidic/alkaline solutions followed by humidity conditioning; no visible corrosion or cracking rendering the facepiece unusable.
- Practical performance: Functional testing according to the referenced ISO 23269-2 practical performance clause.
- Instructions and marking: Supplier must provide clear donning/doffing, operation and maintenance instructions in required languages; mandatory markings include model, “SCBA”, manufacture date, serial number, ISO reference (ISO 23269-3:2011) and service/retest dates.
Applications and users
- Shipowners and operators of chemical tankers and gas carriers needing compliant SCBA
- Manufacturers and suppliers of marine breathing apparatus and PPE
- Flag state inspectors, classification societies and maritime safety auditors
- Shipboard safety officers and procurement teams specifying equipment for entry into gas-filled spaces
This standard ensures SCBA performance for safe entry into contaminated atmospheres on board ships, minimizing chemical permeation and material degradation risks.
Related standards
- ISO 23269 series (Parts 1, 2 and 4) - other shipboard breathing apparatus topics
- IMO IBC Code and IMO IGC Code - regulatory drivers for carriage of SCBA
- EN 136 and EN 137 - related respiratory protective device standards referenced in the ISO bibliography
For procurement and compliance, reference ISO 23269-3:2011 when specifying marine SCBA for chemical and gas carrier operations.