1 Lifebuoys

 It should be established by measurement, weighing and inspection that:

• .1 the lifebuoy has an outer diameter of not more than 800 mm and an inner diameter of not less than 400 mm;

• .2 the lifebuoy has a mass of not less than 2.5 kg;

• .3 if it is intended to operate the quick-release arrangement provided for a self-activated smoke signal and self-igniting light, the lifebuoy has a mass of not less than 4 kg (see 1.8); and

• .4 the lifebuoy is fitted with a grabline of not less than 9.5 mm in diameter and of not less than four times the outside diameter of the body of the buoy in length and secured in four equal loops.

 The following test should be carried out on two lifebuoys.

  1.2.1 The lifebuoys should be alternately subjected to surrounding temperatures of -30°C and +65°C. These alternating cycles need not follow immediately after each other and the following procedure, repeated for a total of 10 cycles, is acceptable:

• .1 an 8 h exposure at a minimum temperature of +65°C to be completed in one day; and

• .2 the specimens removed from the warm chamber that same day and left exposed under ordinary room conditions at a temperature of 20°C ± 3°C until the next day;

• .3 an 8 h exposure at a maximum temperature of -30°C to be completed the next day; and

• .4 the specimens removed from the cold chamber that same day and left exposed under ordinary room conditions at a temperature of 20°C ± 3°C until the next day.

  1.2.2 The lifebuoys should show no sign of loss of rigidity under high temperatures and, after the tests, should show no sign of damage such as shrinking, cracking, swelling, dissolution or change of mechanical qualities.

 Each lifebuoy should be suspended from its upper edge via a release device so that the lower edge of the lifebuoy is at the height at which it is intended to be stowed on ships in their lightest seagoing condition, or 30 m, whichever is the greater, and dropped into the water without suffering damage. In addition, one lifebuoy should be suspended from its upper edge via a release device so that the lower edge of the lifebuoy is at a height of 2 m, and dropped three times onto a concrete floor, without suffering damage.

 One of the lifebuoys should be immersed horizontally for a period of 24 h under a 100 mm head of diesel oil at normal room temperature. After this test the lifebuoy should show no sign of damage such as shrinking, cracking, swelling, dissolution or change of mechanical qualities.

 The other lifebuoy should be subjected to a fire test. A test pan 30 cm × 35 cm × 6 cm should be placed in an essentially draught-free area. Water should be put in the bottom of the test pan to a depth of 1 cm followed by enough petrol to make a minimum total depth of 4 cm. The petrol should then be ignited and allowed to burn freely for 30 s. The lifebuoy should then be moved through flames in an upright, forward, free-hanging position, with the bottom of the lifebuoy 25 cm above the top edge of the test pan so that the duration of exposure to the flames is 2 s. The lifebuoy should not sustain burning or continue melting after being removed from the flames.

 The two lifebuoys subjected to the above tests should be floated in fresh water with not less than 14.5 kg of iron suspended from each of them and should remain floating for a period of 24 h.

 A lifebuoy body should be suspended by a 50 mm wide strap. A similar strap should be passed around the opposite side of the body with a 90 kg mass suspended from it. After 30 min, the lifebuoy body should be examined. There should be no breaks, cracks or permanent deformation.

 A lifebuoy intended for quick release with a light and smoke signal should be given this test. The lifebuoy should be arranged in a manner simulating its installation on a ship for release from the navigating bridge. A lifebuoy light and smoke signal should be attached to the lifebuoy in the manner recommended by the manufacturers. The lifebuoy should be released and should activate both the light and the smoke signal.

  1.9.1 Nine self-activating smoke signals should be subjected to temperature cycling as prescribed in 1.2.1 and, after the tests, should show no sign of damage such as shrinking, cracking, swelling, dissolution or change of mechanical qualities.

  1.9.2 After at least 10 complete temperature cycles, the first three smoke signals should be subjected to a temperature of -30°C for at least 48 h, then taken from this stowage temperature and be activated and operated in seawater at a temperature of -1°C and the next three smoke signals should be subjected to a temperature of +65°C for at least 48 h then taken from this stowage temperature and be activated and operated in seawater at a temperature of +30°C. After the smoke signals have been emitting smoke for 7 min, the smoke-emitting ends of the smoke signals should be immersed to a depth of 25 mm for 10 s. On being released the smoke signals should continue operating for a total period of smoke emission of not less than 15 min. The signals should not ignite explosively or in a manner dangerous to persons close by.

  1.9.3 The last three smoke signals taken from ordinary room conditions and attached by a line to a lifebuoy having a mass of not more than 4 kg should undergo the drop test into water prescribed in 1.3. The lifebuoy should have both a smoke signal and a lifebuoy light attached in the manner recommended by the manufacturers and be dropped from a quick-release fitting. The smoke signals should not be damaged and should function for a period of at least 15 min.

  1.9.4 Smoke signals should also be subjected to the tests and examinations prescribed in 4.2.4, 4.3.1, 4.3.3, 4.5.5, 4.5.6, 4.8.2 and 4.8.3.

  1.9.5 A smoke signal should be tested in waves at least 300 mm high. The signal should function effectively and for not less than 15 min.

  1.9.6 A force of 225 N should be applied to the fitting that attaches the self-activating smoke signal to the lifebuoy. Neither the fitting nor the signal should be damaged as a result of the test.