ASME PVHO-2-2019 establishes in-service criteria and practical guidance for pressure vessels for human occupancy (PVHOs), with particular emphasis on acrylic windows and viewports. This edition covers responsibilities, documentation, maintenance requirements, inspections, damage categories, repairs, mechanical property testing, and methods for evaluating service-life extensions beyond the 40,000-hour design life.
The standard includes mandatory appendices covering definitions, reference standards, quality assurance for severely damaged window repairs, repair requirements and forms, harmful substances and acceptable products, and mechanical testing computations. Nonmandatory guidance addresses PVHO operation checklists, logs, submersible craft operations, emergency planning, personnel qualifications, and maintenance procedures.
Application Scope: Use by PVHO owners, operators, engineers, inspectors, repair personnel, jurisdictional authorities, and organizations responsible for the operation and continued service of submersibles, hyperbaric systems, diving systems, and other pressure vessels for human occupancy.
