4-16 U.S. Navy Diving Manual — Volume 1 Depth gauge accuracy is critical to selecting the proper decompression or treatment table. Many gauges are provided with a case blowout plug on the rear surface. The blowout plug protects the operator in the event of Bourdon tube failure, when case overpressurization could otherwise result in explosion of the gauge lens. The plug must not be obstructed by brackets or other hardware. All diving system gauges should be provided with gauge isolation valves and calibration fittings. If a gauge fails during an operation, the isolation valve closes to prevent loss of system pressure. 4 ‑ 5.3.2 Calibrating and Maintaining Gauges. All installed gauges and portable gauges (tank pressure gauges, submersible tank pressure gauges, and gauges in small portable test sets) in use must be calibrated or compared in accordance with PMS by a certified METCAL facility unless a malfunction requires repair and calibration sooner. Programs such as the Shipboard Gauge Calibration Program as outlined in the NAVSEA Instruction 4734.1 (series) provide authority for a command to calibrate its own gauges. Calibrated gauges not in use should be kept in a clean, dry, vibration free environment. Calibration and comparison data must include the date of the last satisfactory check, the date the next calibration is due, and the activity accomplishing the calibration. Gauges are delicate instruments and can be damaged by vibration, shock, or impact. They should be mounted in locations that minimize these factors and should always be mounted to gauge boards, panels, or brackets. The piping connection should not be the sole support for the gauge. A gauge can be severely damaged by rapid pulsations of the system when the fluid pressure is being measured. When this condition exists, a gauge snubber should be installed between the isolation valve and the gauge to protect the instrument. Most gauges are not waterproof and are not designed for use in a marine environment. Enclosures of transparent acrylic plastic, such as lucite, can be used to protect the gauges from water and salt spray. However, the enclosure must have vent passages to allow the atmospheric pressure to act on the gauge sensing element. 4 ‑ 5.3.3 Helical Bourdon Tube Gauges. Manufacturers make two basic types of helical Bourdon tube gauges for use on recompression chambers and for surface-supplied diving systems. One is a caisson gauge with two ports on the back. The reference port, which is capped, is sealed with ambient air pressure or is piped to the exterior of the pressure chamber. The sensing port is left open to interior pressure. The other gauge is the standard exterior gauge. Both are direct-drive instruments employing a helical Bourdon tube as the sensing element. The gauges are accurate to ¼ of 1 percent of full scale pressure at all dial points. With no gears or linkages, the movement is unaffected by wear, and accuracy and initial calibration remains permanent.

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