RESOLUTION MSC.

81(70)
(adopted on 11 December 1998)
REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES MSC 70/23/Add.1
ANNEX 6
Page 25

Temperature cycling test

3.3.3 A thermal protective aid should be subjected to temperature cycling as prescribed in 1.2.1 and
should show no sign of damage such as shrinking, cracking, swelling, dissolution or change of mechanical
qualities.

Test subjects

3.3.4 For these tests a group of at least six test subjects of different ages, both male and female in the large,
medium and small size range should be selected.

Test clothing

3.3.5 The test clothing worn by the test subjects should be as prescribed in 3.2.6 and 3.2.8.

Donning test

3.3.6 Following a demonstration, the test subjects should be able to unpack and don the thermal protective
aid over a lifejacket when seated in a survival craft.

3.3.7 The thermal protective aid should be capable of being unpacked and donned at an ambient
temperature of -30°C. Before the donning test the thermal protective aid should be kept in a refrigerated
chamber at a temperature of -30°C for 24 h.

Discarding test

3.3.8 If the thermal protective aid impairs the ability of the test subjects to swim, it should be demonstrated
that it can be discarded by the test subjects, when immersed in water, in not more than 2 min.

Test for oil resistance

3.3.9 After all its apertures have been sealed, a thermal protective aid should be immersed under a
100 mm head of diesel oil for 24 h. The surface oil should then be wiped off and it should be established
that the thermal conductivity is not more than 0.25 W/(m.K).

4 PYROTECHNICS - ROCKET PARACHUTE FLARES, HAND FLARES AND BUOYANT

4.1 General

A minimum of three specimens of each type of pyrotechnic should be subjected to each individual test.
All three specimens should pass each individual test.

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4.2 Temperature tests

Three specimens of each type of pyrotechnic should be subjected to:

.1 temperature cycling as prescribed in 1.2.1. After the test each specimen should show no
sign of damage such as shrinking, cracking, swelling, dissolution or change of mechanical
qualities and then function effectively at ambient temperature*;

.2 a temperature of -30ºC for at least 48 h and then function effectively at that temperatue*;

.3 a temperature of +65ºC for at least 48 h and then function effectively at that temperature*;

.4 a temperature of +65ºC and 90% relative humidity for at least 96 h, followed by ten days
at 20ºC to 25ºC at 65% relative humidity and then function effectively.

4.3 Water and corrosion resistance test

Nine specimens of each type of pyrotechnic should function effectively after being subjected to the
following tests (three specimens to each test):

.1 immersed horizontally for 24 h under 1 m of water;

.2 immersed in the ready-to-fire condition for 5 min under 10 cm of water;

.3 subjected to a salt spray (5% natrium chloride solution) at a temperature of +35 + 3°C for
at least 100 h.

4.4 Handling safety test

Three specimens of each type of pyrotechnic should:

.1 be dropped in turn end-on and horizontally from a height of 2 m on to a steel plate about
6 mm thick cemented on to a concrete floor. It should remain in a safe condition after this
test and should subsequently be operated and function effectively; and

.2 be activated in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions by an operator

4.5 Safety inspection

It should be established by visual inspection that each type of pyrotechnic:

.1 is indelibly marked with clear and precise instructions on how it should be operated and
that the danger end can be identified by day or night;

*
Not applicable to smoke signals, for which see paragraphs 1.9.2 and 4.8.1.

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.2 can, if hand operated, be operated from the bottom (safe end) or that it contains an
operational safety delay of 2 s;

.3 has, in the case of a rocket parachute flare and hand flare, an integral means of ignition;

.4 has a simple means of ignition which requires the minimum of preparation and can be
readily operated in adverse conditions without external aid and with wet, cold or gloved
hands;

.5 does not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes for its water-resistant properties;
and

.6 can be indelibly marked with means for determining its age.

4.6 Rocket parachute flares test

4.6.1 Three rockets should be fired vertically. After firing it should be established by means of accurate
measuring instruments that the parachute flare is ejected at a height of not less than 300 m. The height at
which the flare burns out and the burning period should also be measured. It should be established from
these measurements that the rate of descent is not more than 5 m/s and the burning period is not less than
40 s.

4.6.2 Laboratory testing of the flare material should establish that it will burn uniformly with an average
luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 cd and that the colour of the flame is a vivid red as defined by
section 11 of the publication Color: Universal Language and Dictionary of Names.*

4.6.3 Three rockets should function efficiently when tested by firing at an angle of 45° to the horizontal.

4.6.4 If the rocket is hand-held when operated, it should be demonstrated that its recoil is minimal.

4.7 Hand flares test

4.7.1 Three flares should be activated and should burn for a period of not less than 1 min. After burning
for 30 s, each flare should be immersed under 100 mm of water for a period of 10 s and should continue
burning for at least a further 20 s.

4.7.2 laboratory testing of the flare material should establish that it will burn with an average luminous
intensity of at least 15,000 cd and that the colour of the flame is a vivid red as defined in section 11 of the
publication Color: Universal Language and Dictionary of Names.*

4.7.3 Three flares should be activated 1.2 m above a test pan 1 m square containing 2 1 of heptane
floating on a layer of water. The test should be conducted at an ambient temperature of +20°C to +25°C.
The flare should be allowed to burn completely and the heptane should not be ignited by the flare or
material from the flare.

*
Special Publication 440, National Institute of Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.,
20899-0001, USA.

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4.8 Buoyant smoke signals test

4.8.1 Nine buoyant smoke signals should be subjected to temperature cycling as prescribed in 1.2.1. After
at least ten complete temperature cycles, three smoke signals should be taken from a stowage temperature
of -30°C, be activated and should then operate in seawater at a temperature of -1°C. The next three smoke
signals should be taken from a stowage temperature +65°C, be activated and should then operate in
seawater at a temperature of +30°C. The last three smoke signals should be taken from ordinary room
conditions and activated. After emitting smoke for 1 min, they should be fully submerged for a period of
not less than 10 s and should continue emitting smoke during and after submersion and demonstrate a total
period of smoke emission of not less than 3 min.

4.8.2 Three smoke signals should function in water covered by a 2 mm layer of heptane without igniting
the heptane.

4.8.3 Laboratory testing of the smoke signal should establish that at least 70% obscuration throughout
the minimum emission time is attained when the smoke is drawn through a 19 cm diameter duct by a fan
capable of producing an entrance air flow of 18.4 m3/min. The colour of the smoke should be orange as
defined by sections 34, 48, 49 or 50 of the publication Color: Universal Language and Dictionary of
Names.*

4.8.4 A smoke signal should be tested in waves at least 300 mm high. The signal should function
effectively for not less than 3 min.

5 LIFERAFTS - RIGID AND INFLATABLE

5.1 Drop test

5.1.1 Each type of liferaft should be subjected to a minimum of two drop tests. Where the liferaft in its
operational condition is packed in a container or valise, one such test should be carried out with the liferaft
packed in each type of container or valise in which the manufacturer proposes to market it.

5.1.2 The liferaft, in the operationally packed condition, should be suspended and then dropped from a
height of 18 m into the water. If it is to be stowed at a height greater than 18 m, it should be dropped from
the height at which it is to be stowed. The free end of the painter should be attached to the point of
suspension so that it pays out as the liferaft drops, thus simulating actual conditions.

5.1.3 The liferaft should be left floating for 30 min:

.1 in the case of a rigid liferaft it should be lifted from the water to permit thorough inspection
of the liferaft, the contents of the equipment container and, where applicable, the container
or valise; and

.2 in the case of an inflatable liferaft, it should then be inflated. The liferaft should inflate
upright and in the time prescribed in 5.17.3 to 5.17.6. The thorough inspection prescribed
in 5.1.3.1 should then be carried out.

*
Special Publication 440, National Institute of Science and Technology, Gaithersburg, Md.,
20899-0001, USA.

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 RESOLUTION MSC.81(70)
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REVISED RECOMMENDATION ON TESTING OF
LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES MSC 70/23/Add.1
ANNEX 6
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5.1.4 Damage to the container or valise, if the liferaft is normally within it when launched, is acceptable
provided the Administration is satisfied that it would not be a hazard to the liferaft. Damage to any item
of equipment is acceptable subject to the Administration being satisfied that the operational efficiency has
not been impaired. Damage to fresh water receptacles may be accepted provided they do not leak.
However, for drop tests from heights exceeding 18 m, leakage from up to 5% of the receptacles may be
accepted provided that:

.1 the equipment list for the inflatable liferaft specifies the carriage of 5% excess water or
means of desalination adequate to produce an equivalent amount; or

.2 the water receptacles are contained in a waterproof overwrap.

5.2 Jump test

5.2.1 It should be demonstrated that a person can jump on to the liferaft, with and without the canopy
erected, from a height above the floor of at least 4.5 m without damaging the liferaft. The test subject
should weigh not less than 75 kg and should be wearing hard bottom shoes with smooth soles and no
protruding nails. The number of jumps performed should be equal to the total number of persons for which
the liferaft is to be approved.

5.2.2 The jump test may be simulated by dropping a suitable and equivalent mass, arranged so as to
impact the liferaft with shoes as described in 5.2.1.

5.2.3 There should be no torn fabric or damage to seams as a result of the test.

5.2.4 Unless the configuration of both sides of a canopied reversible liferaft are identical, this test should
be repeated for both sides of the liferaft.

5.3 Weight test

The fully packed liferaft container should be weighed to determine whether its mass exceeds 185 kg. The
weight test should be performed on the heaviest variation of the liferaft, considering different containers
and equipment packs which may be used. If the mass exceeds 185 kg, the different combinations of
containers and equipment packs should be weighed to determine which will and which will not exceed
185 kg.

5.4 Towing test

It should be demonstrated by towing that the fully loaded and equipped liferaft is capable of being
satisfactorily towed at speeds of up to 3 knots in calm water. Towing should be by a line attached to the
liferafts towing connection. The sea anchor should be streamed while the liferaft is towed. The liferaft
should be towed for a distance of at least 1 km. During the test the force required to tow the liferaft should
be measured at speeds of 2 knots and 3 knots and recorded on the type approval certificate.

5.5 Mooring out tests

The liferaft should be loaded with mass equal to the mass of the total number of persons for which it is to
be approved and its equipment and moored in a location at sea or in a seawater harbour. The liferaft should
remain afloat in that location for 30 days. In the case of an inflatable liferaft, the pressure may be topped

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