Safety requirements for buoyant aids

The safety of human life will always be one of the most pressing issues in the formation of a base of norms and rules of any organization. But when it comes to areas such as the production of equipment or the operation of elements that directly help to implement safety standards and rules, then it is these areas that will be subject to the greatest regulation. Information from international institutions about standardization today concerns a very large number of areas of human activity that is carried out on water. One of the most striking examples are oil rigs or merchant ships and barges that transport cargo over long distances. Naturally, in order to maximize the safety of employees who take an active part in this activity, a large number of appropriate equipment and devices are created, which are standardized by international documents. We will introduce you to some of the most relevant international standards in this category today in this article.

Buoyant aids for swimming instruction - Part 2: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be held

EN 13138-2:2021

When it comes to human interaction with water, meaning specifically with water bodies, it is necessary to understand that under certain weather conditions a certain number of risks are possible. That is why the availability and use of rescue equipment is mandatory, in case of risks arising. Therefore, there is an international standard that regulates the issues of swimming equipment interacting with the human body EN 13138-2:2021.

This document specifies safety requirements for construction, performance, sizing and marking for swimming devices intended to assist users with movement through the water in the early stages of water awareness, while learning to swim or while learning part of a swimming stroke. It also gives methods of test for verification of these requirements.

This part 2 of EN 13138 applies only to class C swimming devices that are designed to be held in the hands or by the body. Typical swimming devices include kick boards and pull/kick boards. These swimming devices are used to assist in learning to swim or to assist with swimming strokes and improving specific elements of the stroke, which have either inherent buoyancy or can be inflated. It does not apply to pull buoys, swim rings, lifebuoys, buoyancy aids, lifejackets or aquatic toys.

A feature of this international standard is that it can be applicable both for organizations in which the use of these floating facilities is by means of and for large-scale production, which focuses directly on the production of swimming equipment. If you are interested in more international standards on this topic, you can follow the link to our website, which are attached to the description of the standard.

Buoyant aids for swimming instruction - Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for buoyant aids to be worn

EN 13138-1:2021

Before claiming that this or that element of swimming equipment can be safe, you need to be convinced of this through practical research. These studies test various characteristics, both physical and chemical, in order to know the product, and as a result, it makes it possible to understand whether the product is completely ready for use and safe as stated in the original forecast or not. In order for these processes to be carried out in the best possible way, such international standards are created as EN 13138-1:2021.

This document specifies safety and in water performance requirements for construction, sizing, marking and information supplied by the manufacturer for swimming aids intended to ensure a degree of buoyancy to assist beginners with movement through the water while learning to swim or while learning part of a swimming stroke. It also gives methods of test for verification of these requirements.

This document applies only to swimming devices that are designed to be worn, to be securely attached to the body and which have either inherent buoyancy or can be inflated. It only applies to class B swimming devices intended to introduce the user to the range of swimming strokes.

It does not apply to class A or class C swimming devices, to pull buoys, swim rings, lifebuoys, buoyancy aids, lifejackets or aquatic toys. This document is not applicable for products known as 'baby neck rings' aiming to keep the user's airways above the water level.

The peculiarity of this international standard is precisely that it is concretized and can be applied only in the context of professional activity, and not for swimming facilities that can be used in everyday life. That is why the presence of this standard in organizations that professionally operate these devices will be a significant qualitative addition to the existing base of safety standards.

Buoyant aids for swimming instruction - Part 3: Safety requirements and test methods for swim seats into which a user is positioned

EN 13138-3:2021

With the development of technology, the number of ways and methods of movement over various distances is developing. One of these methods is to travel on water. Both small boats and large cruise ships are being created, which can accommodate a significant number of people. Nevertheless, great attention is paid to the safety of transporting small swimming devices by water, namely, such norms and requirements are prescribed, such as, for example, in the international standard EN 13138-3:2021.

This document specifies safety requirements for design, sizing, materials, strength and in-water performance as well as provisions for marking and the information supplied by the manufacturer for swim seats. It also specifies the relevant test methods. This document is not applicable to products covered by EN 13138 1 and EN 13138 2.

This document applies only to swimming devices into which the user is placed and which have either inherent buoyancy or can be inflated or a combination of both. It only applies to class A swimming devices intended to introduce the user to the water environment. These swimming devices are only intended for children aged up to 36 months with a body mass less than or equal to 19 kg. It does not apply to class B or class C swimming devices, to pull buoys, lifebuoys, buoyancy aids, lifejackets or aquatic toys.

Unlike the previous international document, this standard is adapted more for swimming elements used in everyday life, or rather for families with children. Therefore, the purchase of this International Standard would be appropriate for the manufacturers of this equipment.

The need to standardize production processes

Recently, the development of production processes is based on scaling and increasing production capacities, which allows a significant increase in the number of sales markets, and as a consequence, the number of potential consumers. Nevertheless, one should not forget that the acceleration of these processes, and, in principle, the scaling of an existing organization is possible only if all the norms and requirements of each state in which activities are planned are met. All the norms and requirements of the market on which the launch is planned must be observed so that there is no hassle in building the system and scaling does not become more costly in terms of time and financial categories. International Standards Institutions allow you to form a single unified system of norms and requirements that can correspond to your organization to successfully operate in several locations at the same time. That is why if your organization is exactly the kind of business that is interested in leadership positions in the industry, our team is happy to help you in the selection of appropriate international standards.

https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/a1cfa71c-242b-4670-9182-5b6fee8e2ca2/en-13138-2-2021 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/458e6673-7ee8-457c-b97c-9f3f6ef117ab/en-13138-1-2021 https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/cen/40ab4620-8dd1-45ff-bf42-2fa395a33129/en-13138-3-2021