Chapter II - Personal Life-saving Appliances

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2.1 Lifebuoys

Information note

Standards for lifebuoys are in section 2.1 of Chapter II of the LSA Code with the following Canadian modifications.

2.1.1 Canadian modifications for lifebuoy colours

2.1.1.1 Lifebuoys are to be of a highly visible colour as follows:

  1. Yellow,
  2. Orange, or
  3. Red and white quartered;

2.1.2 Canadian modifications for lifebuoy markings

2.1.2.1 The marking of lifebuoys must include:

  1. The manufacturers name or logo;
  2. The lot or batch number;
  3. The height at which it was drop tested, for SOLAS lifebuoys;
  4. The mass of the lifebuoy in kilograms;
  5. The words “Approved by Transport Canada/Approuvé par Transport Canada”;
  6. Transport Canada approval number.

2.1.2.2 The marking on every lifebuoy self-activating smoke signal and lifebuoy self-igniting light is to be made of text or of illustrations where necessary, with:

  1. The manufacturers name, trade mark, or logo;
  2. The type of device, its function, and operating period;
  3. Mounting, operating and maintenance instructions, if applicable;
  4. The date of manufacture;
  5. Batch or lot number;
  6. The words “Approved by Transport Canada/Approuvé par Transport Canada”; and,
  7. Transport Canada approval number.

2.1.3 Small vessel lifebuoys

Information note

Standards for small vessel lifebuoys are in section 2.1 except paragraphs 2.1.1.1, 2.1.1.3, 2.1.1.4 and 2.1.1.7 of Chapter II of the LSA Code with the following Canadian modifications.

2.1.3.1 Small vessel lifebuoys are subject to the following specifications:

  1. Dimensions of lifebuoys:
    1. outside diameter of not more than 610 mm , an inside diameter of not less than 356 mm , a major axis of 127 mm , and a minor axis of 95 mm ; or
    2. outside diameter of 610 mm , an inside diameter of 330 mm , a major axis of 140 mm and a minor axis of 76 mm .
  2. A tolerance of +/- 5% is acceptable on lifebuoy dimensions.
  3. Be constructed of inherently buoyant material; it shall not depend upon rushes, cork shavings or granulated cork, any other loose granulated material or any air compartment which depends on inflation for buoyancy;
  4. A lifebuoy is to be capable of supporting a weight of 7.5 kg of iron in freshwater for a period of 24 hours.
  5. A lifebuoy must have a mass of not less than 1.1 kg and not more than 6 kg.
  6. In addition to the colours set out in 2.1.1 of this Standard the cover can be white.
  7. Be fitted with a grabline not less than 9.5 mm in diameter and not less than four times the outside diameter of the body of the buoy in length. The grabline shall be secured at four equidistant points around the circumference of the buoy to form four equal loops.
  8. Where a buoyant lifeline is attached to a small vessel lifebuoy as required by the regulation, it has to:
    1. be non-kinking;
    2. have a diameter of not less than 8 mm ;
    3. have a breaking strength of not less than 5 kN; and
    4. have a length of at least 15 metres.

2.2 lifejackets

2.2.1 SOLAS Lifejackets

Information note

The standards for SOLAS lifejackets are in section 2.2 of Chapter II of the LSA Code .

2.2.2 Lifejackets Class 1 and Class 2

Information note

The standards for lifejackets Class 1 and Class 2 are in the Canadian General Standards Board CAN/CGSB-65.7-2007 entitled Life Jackets.

2.2.2.1 Approval Marking – In addition to the marking required in section 8 of the standard CAN/CGSB-65.7-2007 the lifejacket shall be marked with the following:

  1. “Approved by Transport Canada/Approuvé par Transports Canada”
  2. Transport Canada approval number.

2.3 Immersion Suits

Information note

Standards for Immersion suits are in the Canadian General Standards Board CAN/CGSB-65.16-M89 entitled:  Marine Abandonment Immersion Suit Systems, as amended from time to time.

Refer to the Life Saving Equipment Regulations Part III entitled Operational Requirements and Equipment Standards and particular attention should be given to the Sections 114, 115, 117.

Refer to Column II of the Table in Section 121 for the appropriate testing standard.

2.4 Anti-exposure Work Suits

Reserved

Information note

Refer to the Life Saving Equipment Regulations Part III entitled Operational Requirements and Equipment Standards and particular attention should be given to the Sections 114, 115, 117.

Refer to Column II of the Table in Section 121 for the appropriate testing standard.

2.5 Thermal protective aids

Reserved

Information note

Refer to the Life Saving Equipment Regulations Part III entitled Operational Requirements and Equipment Standards and particular attention should be given to the Sections 114, 115, 117.

Refer to Column II of the Table in Section 121 for the appropriate testing standard.

2.6 Personal Flotation Devices

2.6.1 Personal Flotation Devices

Information note

The standards and tests for Personal Flotation Devices are those set out in Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB-65.11-M88, Personal Flotation Devices with the following modifications.

2.6.1.1 Approval mark - In section 6.1 of the Standard CAN/CGSB-65.11-M88 replace “Approved by the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans” with “Approved by Transport Canada”. Replace “Approuvé par la Garde côtière canadienne, Ministère des Pêches et Océans” with “Approuvé par Transports Canada”.

2.6.2 Personal Flotation Devices for Children

Information note

The standards and tests for Personal Flotation Devices intended for use by children are those set out in Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB-65.15-M88, Personal Flotation Devices for Children with the following modifications.

2.6.2.1 Approval mark - In section 6.1 of the Standard CAN/CGSB-65.15-M88 replace “Approved by the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans” with “Approved by Transport Canada”. Replace “Approuvé par la Garde côtière canadienne, Ministère des Pêches et Océans” with “Approuvé par Transports Canada”.

2.6.3 Fully Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices

Information note

The standards and tests for Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices are those set out in Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Standard UL 1180, Fully Inflatable Recreational Personal Flotation Devices, with the Canadian modifications set out in 2.6.4.

2.6.4 Canadian Modifications to the Standard UL 1180

Information note

The following Canadian Modifications replace the CANADIAN ADDENDUM TO THE STANDARD UL 1180 FOR INFLATABLE PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES ( PFDs ) published on May 12, 2005.

2.6.4.1 Delete paragraph 4.6.4.1. Disregard any other requirements specific to Type V devices.

2.6.4.2 Sections 10 and 11 are to be disregarded and, in lieu, the provisions of section 8 of the standard CAN/CGSB 65.7-2007 Life Jackets is to be applied with the following modifications.

2.6.4.2.1 Throughout the section replace “Life Jacket” with “Personal Flotation Device”

2.6.4.2.2 In section 8.2:

  1. Replace “Class and category must be prominently marked” with “The Performance Type must be prominently marked”
  2. Replace “CAN/CGSB-65.7-2007” with “UL 1180 with the Canadian modifications/UL 1180 avec les modifications canadiennes”
  3. Add the following marking:
    1. “Approved by Transport Canada/Approuvé par Transports Canada”
    2. Transport Canada approval number
  4. Add the following warning statements:
    WARNING MISE EN GARDE
    NOT for white water paddling or personal watercraft use. NE PEUT ÊTRE UTILISÉ pour le canotage en eaux vives ou à bord d'une motomarine.
    NOT to be used by persons less than 16 years old. NE PEUT ÊTRE UTILISÉ par une personne de moins de 16 ans.
    Must be fitted with an unpunctured, and fully functional inflation cartridge, or be worn fully inflated. Doit être muni d'une cartouche de gonflement non perforée et en parfait état de fonctionnement, ou porté gonflé.
    Must be fitted with compatible inflation mechanism parts (refer to owner's manual). The fitting of any other part could result in the device failing to inflate or inflating improperly. Les pièces de son mécanisme de gonflement doivent être compatibles (voir manuel du propriétaire). L'utilisation d'autres pièces pourrait empêcher le bon fonctionnement ou résulter en un gonflement incomplet du dispositif.
  5. Add the following note:
    NOTE NOTE
    A pouch type device is considered to be worn when securely donned around the waist. Un VFI gonflable de type pochette est considéré comme étant porté lorsque bien ajusté autour de la taille, comme il se doit.
  6. Add the following paragraph:
    When a device is fitted with a manual only inflator, a warning label is to appear on the device itself, in the owner's manual and in way of a label affixed either on the cover page of the owner's manual or on the front of the device. The warning label text shall read as follows:
    WARNING WARNING
    This device will not inflate automatically upon immersion. Tab must be pulled to activate inflation mechanism. Le présent dispositif ne se gonflera pas automatiquement au moment de l'immersion. La tirette doit être tirée pour activer le mécanisme de gonflement.

2.6.4.2.3  In section 8.7 add item (e) as follows:

(e) The following text shall be inserted at the beginning of the owner's manual:

INFLATABLE PFDs VFI GONFLABLES
Inflatable PFDs are special devices in that the flotation of the wearer is not derived from inherently buoyant materials. In order for them to do their job, you, the wearer, must do yours! This means you have the responsibility to ensure you are familiar with the operation and maintenance requirements of your inflatable PFD ! You must also be aware of the PFD's limitations and know that it is not approved under the Small Vessel Regulations for certain boating activities. Le VFI gonflable est un dispositif spécial en ce sens qu'il ne dépend pas de matériaux insubmersibles pour assurer la flottabilité de l'utilisateur. Afin que ce dernier puisse faire son boulot, vous, l'utilisateur, devez faire le vôtre! Ceci veut dire que vous devez vous assurer de bien connaître le fonctionnement et l'entretien de votre VFI gonflable !  Vous devez aussi connaître ses limites et savoir pour quelles activités nautiques le port de ce type de VFI n'est pas approuvé aux termes du Règlement sur les petits bâtiments.
READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INFORMATION LABELS ON YOUR PFD !

IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

LISEZ BIEN LE MANUEL DU PROPRIÉTAIRE DE MÊME QUE LES ÉTIQUETTES FIXÉES  SUR  VOTRE VFI !

CELA POURRAIT VOUS SAUVER LA VIE!

2.6.4.2.4 Replace section 8.7.1 with the following: “The above instructions shall be available in an owner's manual. The owner's manual shall be attached to the device.

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