31 OCTOBER NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE 5361

Part II

Inflatable Lifjackets

8. Application—Inflatable lifjackets for persons weighing 32kg or over shall comply with the requirements of this Part:

9. Construction—(1) An inflatable lifjacket shall be constructed with proper workmanship and materials.

(2) An inflatable lifjacket shall be so constructed that:

(a) after demonstration, a person can correctly don it within a period of 1 minute without assistance;

(b) it is capable of being worn inside out or is clearly capable of being worn in only 1 way and, as far as is possible, cannot be donned incorrectly;

(c) it is comfortable to wear;

(d) it allows the wearer to jump from a height of at least 4.5 metres into the water without injury and without dislodging or damaging the lifjacket.

(3) It shall be so constructed that the buoyancy is not reduced by more than 5 percent after 24 hours submersion in fresh water.

(4) It shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a cord of suitable length. The whistle shall be non-metallic and not be adversely affected by water or humidity.

(5) It shall be fitted with an approved light if it is intended for a ship which is required to carry lifejackets fitted with lights.

(6) It shall be fitted with retro-reflective material where it will assist in detection and the dimensions and location of the material shall be to the satisfaction of the Director.

(7) An inflatable lifjacket shall be constructed with not less than 2 separate compartments, and not less than 2 compartments shall inflate automatically on immersion and be provided with a device to permit inflation by a single manual motion. All compartments shall be capable of being inflated by mouth. The automatic inflation system shall be so designed and protected that the risk of inadvertent inflation is reduced to a minimum.

(8) In the event of loss of buoyancy in any 1 compartment the lifjacket shall be capable of complying with the requirements of clauses 9(2), 11(4) and 11(5) of this Part.

(9) The inflatable compartments shall be so located that when inflated they do not channel water into the wearer’s face.

(10) An inflatable lifjacket shall comply with the requirements of clause 9(3) of this Part after inflation by means of the automatic mechanism.

11. It shall be fitted with a ring or loop or similar device of adequate strength to facilitate rescue.

12. Materials and Components—(1) Materials and components shall be applicable be rot-proof, corrosion resistant, and not be unduly affected by sea water, oil or fungal attack, shall be resistant to deterioration due to exposure to sunlight, and shall comply with the requirements of Clause 5 of BS 3595: 1981 or appropriate New Zealand equivalent.

(2) Materials used on the exterior of the buoyancy chambers shall be of a highly visible colour such as traffic yellow (BS 381, Ref 368), international orange (BS 381, Ref 592) or a colour of equivalent conspicuity.

11. Performance—(1) An inflatable lifjacket shall not be damaged in storage throughout an air temperature range of -30°C to +65°C.

(2) It shall operate throughout a water temperature range of -1°C to +30°C.

(3) It shall be capable of satisfactory operation in a seaway.

(4) It shall have sufficient buoyancy and stability in calm fresh water to:

(a) lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious person not less than 120mm clear of the water with the body inclined backwards at an angle of not less than 20° and not more than 50° from the vertical position;

(b) turn the body of an unconscious person in the water from any position to one where the mouth is clear of the water in not more than 5 seconds.

(5) An inherently buoyant lifjacket shall allow the person wearing it to swim a short distance and to board a survival craft.

(6) It shall not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 seconds.

5. Marking—(1) An inherently buoyant lifjacket shall be marked indelibly with:

   (a) the manufacturer’s name or trade mark and name of lifejacket, if any;

   (b) the words “PERSON OF 32KG OR MORE” on both sides of the lifejacket in letters not less than 12mm in size in the case of lifejackets which can be worn inside out. In the case of lifejackets which can only be worn one way the marking shall be on the outside of the lifejacket;

   (c) the words “M.O.T. APPROVED” or mark of another approving authority in letters not less than 12mm in size;

   (d) the year of manufacture;

   (e) the word “FRONT” on both sides of the front part of the lifejacket in letters not less than 12mm in size in the case of lifejackets which can be worn inside out. In the case of lifejackets which can only be worn one way the marking shall be on the outside of the front part of the lifejacket.

6. Lifejackets for persons weighing less than 32kg—(1) Inherently buoyant lifejackets for persons weighing less than 32kg shall comply with the requirements of clauses 1(1) to 7(1) of this Part except that in clause 5(1)(b) they shall be marked with the word “CHILD”. Such lifejackets shall provide a minimum buoyancy of 66.7 newtons in fresh water. The buoyancy shall not be reduced by more than 5 per cent after 24 hours submersion in fresh water.

7. Instructions and Information—(1) Instructions and information required for inclusion in the training manual specified in Part I of the Performance Standard for Training Manual and Maintenance Instructions shall be in a form suitable for inclusion in such a training manual. Instructions and information shall be in English in a clear and concise form and shall include the donning and securing of the lifejacket and the operation of the light where fitted.

traffic yellow (BS 381, Ref 368) international orange (BS 381, Ref 592) or a colour of equivalent conspicuity.

(5) Where a synthetic cover material is used and the seams are stitched, the thread shall be of synthetic material. Where a cotton cover material is used the thread shall be of natural fibre or a combination of synthetic and natural fibre.

(6) Fastening tapes shall be not less than 32mm wide and have a breaking strength of not less than 1.4 kilonewtons. Tapes of a synthetic material shall be capable of providing an equivalent degree of security when tied as that provided by cotton tapes.

4. Performance—(1) An inherently buoyant lifejacket shall not be damaged in storage throughout an air temperature range of -30°C to +65°C.