Ursuit Immersion Suit
A special model of the popular RDS Rapid Donning Suit especially made to meet the demands of the offshore industry.
Collar structure is open, which eases donning and enables ventilation in warm weather. Material is Gore-Tex® fabric based upon the ePTFE membrane, allowing vapour to get through but remaining completely watertight. Seam construction double seams so that the seam will not open even when worn. Inside the seams are heat seal taped and reinforced to be 100 % watertight. The suit is equipped with several reflective tapes in right places, which assures visibility in all conditions. The soft and durable reflective tapes are developed by 3M in accordance with the directive on marine equipment. Socks made of same fabric as the suit itself enables use of any professional footwear. Knee and back reinforcements made of Cordura material. Attached hood, which protects against wind and rain. Separate 3 mm neoprene hood, which protects against cold water. Gloves are integrated 3mm 5-finger neoprene gloves in sleeve pockets.
Details
Standards
CE
A CE-marking on a product indicates that it has been type-examined by an accredited test laboratory, a so called notified body. The product inspection includes testing the actual product, to ensure its compliance with all regulations regarding product safety and health. In case of drysuits, the suit is been tested in its actual operating environment, to ensure the safety as accurately as possible. All drysuits are classified as personal protective equipment, and go under the European PPE directive 89/686/EEC. As a consumer, it is very important to make sure the drysuit has a CE-marking. It is a guarantee of safety and fit for use.
EN ISO 15027
International standard series which sets requirements for different types of suits. The first part 15027-1 consists of the requirements for constant wear immersion suits. The second part 15027-2 sets requirements for abandonment immersion suits. The third part 15027-3 describes the test methods for the previous parts. Compared to the PPE directive 89/686/EEC, this standard is precisely created for immersion suits, so the requirements and test methods are highly targeted accordingly. Commonly a ISO 15027 approved suit is also approved according to the PPE directive, they do not exclude each other. The ISO 15027 standard doesn't require the suit must be a drysuit (fully waterproof). Nevertheless all of Ursuk's suits are drysuits.
Constant wear immersion suits are usually being worn for a long period, they are meant to be worn where there is a risk of being immersed in water. The suit is meant to prolong the survival time in cold water, but it doesn't hinder working above the surface of water. Abandonment suits are usually meant to be worn in case of an emergency, for example in a ship wreck. They are not meant for constant use, but often provide a better protection against cold water when immersed.
The suits are divided into four groups based on their thermal insulation (classes A,B,C,D). An A-class suit provides a 6 hour protection against hypothermia in a 2 degree (Centigrade) water, and a D-class suit 2 hour protection in a 10 degree water. Ursuk's portfolio includes suits for all above classes.
EN 14225
European standard series sets requirements and test methods for diving suits. The standard is divided into several parts, first part is for wet suits, second part for dry suits, third part for activately heated or cooled suits and fourth part for one atmosphere suits (ADS). Under the standard's scope are only wet or dry suits meant to be used with compressed air breathing apparatus. Short sleeved or short legged suits are not considered to be diving suits under this standard. Ursuit diving suits are certified according to the second part (dry suits) of EN 14225.
The watertightness of dry suits are tested as a part of the type-examination. Seams, joints and components are also tested, to ensure the safety of all the relevant aspects of using a diving suit.
SOLAS
The marine equipment directive 96/98/EC sets the requirements for the safety and approvals of different marine equipment. Immersion suits among others must be approved according to the directive. The procedure for approval has been agreed, which in case of immersion suits is the international Maritime Organization's resolution IMO Res.A.689(17).
Spoken language often refers to SOLAS-approvals. SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) is an international maritime safety treaty, which originates from the Titanic ship wreck in 1914. The treaty sets requirement for the life savings appliances (so called LSA-code). The requirements in the LSA-code and the IMO resolution are compatible.
SOLAS-approved suits are divided into two groups based on the thermal insulation; so called six-hour suits and one-hour suits. A six-hour suit provides sufficient thermal insulation for survival time of six hours, and a one-hour suit for an hour.
Even though SOLAS and ISO 15027 approvals are somewhat similar, they are two different subjects, and the requirements differ on some aspects. A single suit model can have both approvals, or just the other. A SOLAS suit must be within a certain high visibility in terms of colour, hence for example only orange coloured Ursuit suits can have a SOLAS approval.
