SIST EN ISO 12402-6:2006

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 12402-6:2006
01-december-2006
2VHEQLSODYDMRþLSULSRPRþNLGHO5HãLOQLMRSLþL]DSRVHEQHQDPHQHLQ
Y]JRQVNDSRPDJDOD9DUQRVWQH]DKWHYHLQGRGDWQHSUHVNXVQHPHWRGH,62

Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids -
Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2006)
Persönliche Auftriebsmittel - Teil 6: Rettungswesten und Schwimmhilfen für besondere
Einsatzzwecke - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und zusätzliche Prüfverfahren
(ISO 12402-6:2006)
Équipements individuels de flottabilité - Partie 6: Gilets de sauvetage et aides a la
flottabilité pour usages spéciaux - Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai
complémentaires (ISO 12402-6:2006)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 12402-6:2006
ICS:
13.340.70 5HãLOQLMRSLþLY]JRQVND Lifejackets, buoyancy aids
SRPDJDODLQSODYDMRþL and floating devices
SULSRPRþNL
SIST EN ISO 12402-6:2006 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 12402-6

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
September 2006
ICS 13.340.70
English Version
Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets
and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and additional test
methods (ISO 12402-6:2006)
Équipements individuels de flottabilité - Partie 6: Gilets de Persönliche Auftriebsmittel - Teil 6: Rettungswesten und
sauvetage et aides à la flottabilité pour usages spéciaux - Schwimmhilfen für besondere Einsatzzwecke -
Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und zusätzliche
complémentaires (ISO 12402-6:2006) Prüfverfahren (ISO 12402-6:2006)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 11 September 2006.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.






EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 12402-6:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

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EN ISO 12402-6:2006 (E)





Foreword


This document (EN ISO 12402-6:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 188
"Small craft" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 162 "Protective clothing including
hand and arm protection and lifejackets", the secretariat of which is held by DIN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by March 2007, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by March 2007.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this
document.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.


Endorsement notice

The text of ISO 12402-6:2006 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 12402-6:2006 without any
modifications.

2

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EN ISO 12402-6:2006 (E)



Annex ZA
(informative)

Relationship between this standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 89/686/EEC




This standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission
and the European Free Trade Association to provide a means of conforming to Essential
Requirements of the New Approach Directive 89/686/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to personal protective equipment.

Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Communities under that Directive
and has been implemented as a national standard in at least one Member State, compliance with
the clauses of this standard given in Table ZA.1 confers, within the limits of the scope of this
standard, a presumption of conformity with the corresponding Essential Requirements of that
Directive and associated EFTA regulations.


Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this standard and Directive 89/686/EEC

Clause(s)/Sub- Essential Requirements (ERs) of Directive 89/686/EEC Qualifying
clause(s) of this remarks/Notes

Standard
4.1; 4.2 1.1.2.2  Classes of protection appropriate to different
       levels of risk
5.2.3.2; 5.2.4.2; 5.3; 5.4 1.2.1   Absence of risks and other ‘inherent’ nuisance
       factors
6; 7; 8 1.4     Information supplied by the manufacturer
5.1.3; 5.2.3.1 3.4     Prevention of drowing (lifejackets and lifesaving
       suits)
WARNING - Other requirements and other EU Directives may be applicable to the products
falling within the scope of this standard.

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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12402-6
First edition
2006-09-15

Personal flotation devices —
Part 6:
Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy
aids — Safety requirements and
additional test methods
Équipements individuels de flottabilité —
Partie 6: Gilets de sauvetage et aides à la flottabilité pour usages
spéciaux — Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai
complémentaires




Reference number
ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
©
ISO 2006

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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
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ii © ISO 2006 – All rights reserved

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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
Introduction . v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 Classification. 3
4.1 Classes . 3
4.2 Performance levels. 4
5 Requirements . 5
5.1 General. 5
5.2 White-water sports devices . 7
5.3 PFDs for personal water craft, water skiing, or similar towed uses. 9
5.4 PFDs for fire fighting application . 10
6 Marking . 10
6.1 General. 10
6.2 Information on the special purpose device . 10
6.3 PFD used for commercial rafting in white water . 11
6.4 Identification and information . 11
7 Information supplied by the manufacturer . 12
8 Consumer information at point of sale. 12
8.1 General. 12
8.2 Plain text version . 12
8.3 Data list . 15
8.4 Pictograms . 16
8.5 Colour-code. 16
Bibliography . 17

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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 12402-6 was prepared by European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee
CEN/TC 162, Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets, in collaboration with
Technical Committee ISO/TC 188, Small craft, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation
between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
ISO 12402 consists of the following parts, under the general title Personal flotation devices:
⎯ Part 1: Lifejackets for seagoing ships — Safety requirements
⎯ Part 2: Lifejackets, performance level 275 — Safety requirements
⎯ Part 3: Lifejackets, performance level 150 — Safety requirements
⎯ Part 4: Lifejackets, performance level 100 — Safety requirements
⎯ Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) — Safety requirements
⎯ Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids — Safety requirements and additional test methods
⎯ Part 7: Materials and components — Safety requirements and test methods
⎯ Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
⎯ Part 9: Test methods
⎯ Part 10: Selection and application of personal flotation devices and other relevant devices

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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
Introduction
ISO 12402 has been prepared to give guidance on the design and application of personal flotation devices
(hereafter referred to as PFDs) for persons engaged in activities, whether in relation to their work or their
leisure, in or near water. PFDs manufactured, selected, and maintained to this standard should give a
reasonable assurance of safety from drowning to a person who is immersed in water.
Requirements for lifejackets on large, commercial seagoing ships are regulated by the International Maritime
Organization (IMO) under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). ISO 12402-1
addresses lifejackets for seagoing ships.
ISO 12402 allows for the buoyancy of a PFD to be provided by a wide variety of materials or designs, some of
which may require preparation before entering the water (e.g. inflation of chambers by gas from a cylinder or
blown in orally). However, PFDs can be divided into the following two main classes:
⎯ those which provide face-up in-water support to the user regardless of physical conditions (lifejackets),
and
⎯ those which require the user to make swimming and other postural movements to position the user with
the face out of the water (buoyancy aids).
Within these main two classes there are a number of levels of support, types of buoyancy, activation methods
for inflatable devices, and auxiliary items (such as location aids), all of which will affect the user’s probability of
survival. Within the different types of buoyancy allowed, inflatable PFDs either provide full buoyancy without
any user intervention other than arming (i.e. PFDs inflated by a fully automatic method) or require the user to
initiate the inflation. Hybrid PFDs always provide some buoyancy but rely on the same methods as inflatable
PFDs to achieve full buoyancy. With inherently buoyant PFDs, the user only needs to put the PFD on to
achieve the performance of its class.
PFDs that do not require intervention (automatically operating PFDs) are suited to activities where persons
are likely to enter the water unexpectedly; whereas PFDs requiring intervention (e.g., manually inflated PFDs)
are only suitable for use if the user believes there will be sufficient time to produce full buoyancy, or help close
at hand. In every circumstance, the user should ensure that the operation of the PFD is suited to the specific
application. The conformity of a PFD to this part of ISO 12402 does not imply that it is suitable for all
circumstances. The relative amount of required inspection and maintenance is another factor of paramount
importance in the choice and application of specific PFDs.
ISO 12402 is intended to serve as a guide to manufacturers, purchasers, and users of such safety equipment
in ensuring that the equipment provides an effective standard of performance in use. Equally essential is the
need for the designer to encourage the wearing of the equipment by making it comfortable and attractive for
continuous wear on or near water, rather than for it to be stored in a locker for emergency use. Throwable
devices and flotation cushions are not covered by this part of ISO 12402. The primary function of a PFD is to
support the user in reasonable safety in the water. Within the two classes, alternative attributes make some
PFDs better suited to some circumstances than others or make them easier to use and care for than others.
Important alternatives allowed by ISO 12402 are the following:
⎯ to provide higher levels of support (levels 100, 150, or 275) that generally float the user with greater water
clearance, enabling the user’s efforts to be expended in recovery rather than avoiding waves; or to
provide lighter or less bulky PFDs (levels 50 to 100)
⎯ to provide the kinds of flotation (inherently buoyant foam, hybrid, and inflatable) that will accommodate
the sometimes conflicting needs of reliability and durability, in-water performance, and continuous wear;
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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
⎯ to provide automatically operating (inherently buoyant or automatically inflated) PFDs that float users
without any intervention on their part, except in initially donning the PFD (and regular inspection and
rearming of inflatable types), or to provide user control of the inflatable PFD's buoyancy by manual and
oral operation;
⎯ to assist in detection (location aids) and recovery of the user.
PFDs provide various degrees of buoyancy in garments that are light in weight and only as bulky and
restrictive as needed for their intended use. They will need to be secure when worn, providing positive support
in the water, allowing the user to swim or actively assist herself/himself or others. The PFD selected shall
ensure that the user is supported with the mouth and nose clear of the water under the expected conditions of
use and the user’s ability to assist.
Under certain conditions (such as rough water and waves), the use of watertight and multilayer clothing which
provide (intentionally or otherwise) additional buoyancy, or the use of equipment with additional weight (such
as tool belts) will likely alter the performance of the PFD. Users, owners and employers need to ensure that
this is taken into account when selecting a PFD. Similarly, PFDs may not perform as well in extremes of
temperature, although fully approved under this part of ISO 12402. PFDs may also be affected by other
conditions of use, such as chemical exposure and welding, and may require additional protection to meet the
specific requirements of use. If the user intends taking a PFD into such conditions, she/he has to be assured
that the PFD will not be adversely affected. This part of ISO 12402 also allows a PFD to be an integral part of
a safety harness designed to conform to ISO 12401, or an integral part of a garment with other uses, for
example to provide thermal protection during immersion, in which case the complete assembly as used is
required to conform to this part of ISO 12402.
In compiling the attributes required of a PFD, consideration has also been given to the potential length of
service that the user might expect. Whilst a PFD needs to be of substantial construction and material, its
potential length of service often depends on the conditions of use and storage which are the responsibility of
the owner, user and/or employer. Furthermore, whilst the performance tests included are believed to assess
relevant aspects of performance in real-life use, they do not accurately simulate all conditions of this. For
example, the fact that a device passes the self-righting tests in swimming attire, as described herein, does not
guarantee that it will self-right an unconscious user wearing waterproof clothing, neither can it be expected to
completely protect the airway of an unconscious person in rough water. Waterproof clothing can trap air and
further impede the self-righting action of a lifejacket.
It is essential that owners, users and employers choose those PFDs that meet the correct standards for the
circumstances in which they will be used. Manufacturers and those selling PFDs have to make clear to
prospective purchasers the product properties, alternative choices and the limitations to normal use, prior to
the purchase.
Similarly, those framing legislation regarding the wearing of these garments should consider carefully which
class and performance level is most appropriate for the foreseeable conditions of use, allowing for higher risk
severe circumstances. These higher risk circumstances should account for the highest probabilities of
occurrence of accidental immersion and the expected consequences in such emergencies. More information
on the selection and application is given in ISO 12402-10.

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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12402-6:2006(E)

Personal flotation devices —
Part 6:
Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids — Safety
requirements and additional test methods
1 Scope
This part of ISO 12402 specifies the safety requirements and additional test methods for special purpose
lifejackets and buoyancy aids (hereafter referred to as special purpose devices) in combination with the
requirements specified in ISO 12402-2 to ISO 12402-5. It applies to special purpose devices for adults generally
and for chidren younger than six years partially.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 364, Personal protective equipment against falls from a height — Test methods
EN 533:1997, Protective clothing — Protection against heat and flame — Limited flame spread materials and
material assemblies
EN 1095, Deck safety harness and safety line for use on recreational craft — Safety requirements and test
methods
ISO 12401, Small craft — Deck safety harness and safety line for use on recreational craft — Safety
requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-1, Personal flotation devices — Part 1: Lifejackets for seagoing ships — Safety requirements
ISO 12402-2:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 2: Lifejackets, performance level 275 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-3:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 3: Lifejackets, performance level 150 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-4:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 4: Lifejackets, performance level 100 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-5:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) — Safety requirements
ISO 12402-8, Personal flotation devices — Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-9:2006, Personal flotation devices — Part 9: Test methods
ISO 15025:2000, Protective clothing — Protection against heat and flame — Method of test for limited flame
spread
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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
ISO 17493, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat resistance
using a hot air circulating oven
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
personal flotation device
PFD
garment or device which, when correctly worn and used in water, will provide the user with a specific amount
of buoyancy which will increase the likelihood of survival
3.2
inherently buoyant material
material which is permanently less dense than water
3.3
automatically operating PFD
PFD in which buoyancy is provided by permanent means (inherently buoyant material) or by suitable means
(gas inflation) effected by a system which automatically activates upon immersion and which, except for the
inspection and rearming of inflatable types, when correctly donned requires no further action by the user
3.4
automatically inflated PFD
PFD in which inflation is effected as a result of immersion without the user carrying out any action at the time
of immersion
3.5
manually inflated PFD
PFD in which inflation is effected as a result of the user operating a mechanism
3.6
orally inflated PFD
PFD inflated by mouth to produce buoyancy
3.7
PFD with secondary donning
PFD for which additional donning or adjustment is needed to place the PFD in its functioning position from the
position it is normally worn
NOTE Pouch-type devices are examples of the type of PFDs which usually require such additional positioning.
3.8
vest-type PFD
PFD covering the upper trunk of the user like a vest
3.9
yoke-type PFD
PFD in a style worn around the back of the neck and secured by a waist strap
3.10
emergency light
device which emits light so as to increase the chances of a user being located
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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
3.11
multi-chamber buoyancy system
system that divides the buoyancy provided by an inflatable lifejacket into two or more separate compartments,
such that if mechanical damage occurs to one, others can still operate and provide buoyancy so as to aid the
user when immersed
3.12
deck safety harness and safety line
device that allows a user to be securely attached to a strong point on a vessel or on shore, so as to prevent
him from falling into the water, or, if he does fall into the water, to prevent him from being separated from the
vessel or shore
3.13
buddy line
length of cord which can be tied or otherwise fixed to another person or to that person's PFD or other objects,
so as to keep a user in the vicinity of that person or object with a view to making location and thus rescue
easier
3.14
lifting loop
device which facilitates manual recovery of a person from water
3.15
sprayhood
cover brought or placed in front of the airways of a user in order to reduce or eliminate the splashing of water
from waves or the like onto the airways and thereby to promote the survival of the user in rough water
conditions
3.16
protective cover
cover that is normally in place over the functional elements of a PFD in order to protect them from physical
damage, or snagging on external objects
NOTE 1 The protective cover may be designed to provide additional properties, i.e. to make the PFDs suitable for use
when the subject is exposed to additional hazards, e.g. significant abrasion, molten metal splash, flame and fire.
NOTE 2 The inflatable chamber of an inflatable PFD is an example of a functional element.
3.17
overpressure relief valve
valve which may be used in an inflatable system to avoid the likelihood of destruction caused by overpressure
3.18
whistle
device which, when blown by mouth, produces an audible sound which can aid in the location of the user
3.19
hybrid-type PFD
PFD of combined buoyancy types, i.e. inherent and inflatable
4 Classification
4.1 Classes
4.1.1 Lifejackets
These devices provide face-up flotation with levels of support sufficient for various open and rough water uses.
Lifejackets have a buoyancy distribution sufficient to turn most users, when tested on users wearing swimming
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ISO 12402-6:2006(E)
costumes according to ISO 12402, to a position where the mouth has a defined freeboard above the water’s
surface, even when the user is unconscious.
4.1.2 Buoyancy aids
These devices should be comfortable for continuous wear and provide lift, without significant face-up turning
ability,
...