BIRNS, INC. LAUNCHES NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART HYPERBARIC TESTING PROGRAM FOR ABS-APPROVED PENETRATORS AND CONNECTORS
Custom-Designed Hydrostatic Pressure Test System Provides BIRNS 600% Increase in ABS-Class Penetrator Testing Volume, While Exponentially Decreasing Costs
OXNARD, CA – BIRNS, Inc., has more than a half century of industry experience as a trusted full service designer, manufacturer and independent testing resource for the subsea industry, with a legacy of innovative contributions in emerging technologies for some of the harshest environments on earth.
BIRNS has now introduced a new high performance hydrostatic pressure testing system, with a range of vessels rated to 20,000, 10,000, 5,000 and 1,000 psi. BIRNS has also added a high volume helium testing capability, exceeding stringent ABS requirements for man-rated penetrator testing. The breakthrough new system provides an enhanced, streamlined, efficient means with which to test a wide range of products for both rigorous safety and demanding performance requirements.
BIRNS has provided industry-leading hydrostatic pressure testing for man-rated electrical penetrators and complex connector solutions for more than 15 years, with the addition of saltwater testing in the last four. However, this new investment in the custom-engineered testing system has exponentially increased BIRNS’ existing capabilities, and is expected to significantly reduce and help accurately forecast both time and costs. The new hyperbaric device has a unique control panel for diverse, comprehensive testing on up to three circuits and in six chambers simultaneously, allowing several different tests to be run on multiple products. Plus, the new system provides BIRNS with four new versatile 12” test chambers, which can be filled in 30 seconds and drained in 10 seconds. Each one has quarter-turn quick-lock lids, which can be raised and lowered on their own electric winches.
In addition, the BIRNS’ new breakthrough design has three separate hydraulic pumps that provide main, auxiliary and back-up power for the system, along with four feed-through ports for each individual test chamber, for increased capability for electrical testing under pressure.
BIRNS, an ISO 9001:2008-certified company, plans to pass along the considerable cost and time savings to its customers, who have historically had to factor in uncertain lead times and ABS costs for testing with competitors. The company’s goal is to introduce options of an inclusive price for ABS certification to its penetrator customers – an industry milestone.
“BIRNS has long been known for its innovation and versatility in this highly competitive market,” says Steve Hollinger, BIRNS Quality Assurance Manager. “With this new testing capability, we’ll be able to provide unparalleled customer service and agility. In keeping with our ISO certification, this is a logical progression of our commitment to continuous improvement and documentation in our testing processes. With the new program, we’re able to test six times as many products at a time, providing a radically higher volume of cost-effective testing than anyone in the industry.”
BIRNS tests all of its products to meet or exceed ABS standards, as well as other stringent industry safety and design requirements – including Det Norske Veritas, Underwriters Laboratories and Lloyd’s of London. Customers can indicate specific testing preferences, and will be offered a turnkey program to include ABS approval for orders moving forward.
About BIRNS Inc.,
Founded in 1954, BIRNS, Inc., is an ISO 9001:2008 certified global leader in the design and manufacturing of high performance lighting and connector systems for deep ocean, marine, military and nuclear power applications. For more information, contact BIRNS Inc., 1720 Fiske Place, Oxnard, CA, 93033 ∙ Phone: 805-487-5393 ∙ US Toll Free 1-888-BIRNS-88 ∙ Fax: 805-487-0427 ∙ or www.birns.com.