ASTM_F_1823_-_97_2012.pdf

Designation:F182397(Reapproved 2012)Standard Guide forWater Rescue Personal Flotation Device(PFD)1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1823;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers the minimum performance and safetyrequirements of a water rescue lifejacket/PFD(Personal Flo-tation Device).1.2 In recognition of many broad and varied applications ofsuch PFDs,many options are included.1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 Code of Federal Regulations:2160.047 Buoyant Vests160.052 Buoyant Vests160.053 Work Vests160.060 Buoyant Vests160.064 Marine Buoyant Devices160.076 Inflatable Lifejackets160.077 Hybrid Inflatable Personal Flotation Device160.071 Immersion Suits3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 Personal Flotation Device,PFD,na buoyant devicesuitable for use by one person in water emergencies.Thesedevices may be vests,ring buoys,life preservers,cushions,andother special purpose buoyant devices.4.Significance and Use4.1 This guide is applicable to all water rescue situations.The water situation,weather situation,and size of rescuer,willdictate what type of PFD to utilize.4.2 This guide will assist government agencies;state,local,or regional organizations;fire departments;rescue teams;andothers who are responsible for purchasing and equippingpersonnel who respond to water emergencies.4.3 This guide establishes criteria that shall be considered inthe performance,specification,purchase,and acceptance test-ing of a water rescue PFD.5.Classification5.1 This guide includes the following types of PFDs:5.1.1 Type IOff Shore Life Preserver.5.1.2 Type IINear Shore Buoyant Vest.5.1.3 Type IIISpecial Purpose Flotation Aid.5.1.4 Type IVThrowable Devices.5.1.5 Type VSpecial Use Devices.6.General Requirements6.1 All PFDs should conform to standards set by theappropriate national regulatory authority,that is,the U.S.CoastGuard in the United States,and be in good and serviceablecondition.7.Performance Requirements7.1 Highly visible.7.2 Adequate flotation for individual and water rescuesituation.7.3 Proper size and fit for individual.7.4 Offer unrestricted mobility.7.5 Construction allows for impact protection for rescuerutilizing foam panels.7.5.1 Design offers protection from hypothermia and heatillness associated with use.7.5.2 Multiple closure devices for a secure fit.8.Keywords8.1 lifejacket;PFD;water rescue1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search andRescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.01 on Equipment,Testing,and Maintenance.Current edition approved July 1,2012.Published August 2012.Originallyapproved in 1997.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as F1823 97(2007).DOI:10.1520/F1823-97R12.2Title 33 and Title 46,Code of Federal Regulations.Copies available from theU.S.Government Printing Office,Superintendent of Documents,732 N.Capitol St.,NW,Mail Stop:SDE,Washington,DC 20401.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item mentionedin this standard.Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights,and the riskof infringement of such rights,are entirely their own responsibility.This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years andif not revised,either reapproved or withdrawn.Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standardsand should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters.Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of theresponsible technical committee,which you may attend.If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you shouldmake your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards,at the address shown below.This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.Individual reprints(single or multiple copies)of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the aboveaddress or at 610-832-9585(phone),610-832-9555(fax),or serviceastm.org(e-mail);or through the ASTM website(www.astm.org).Permission rights to photocopy the standard may also be secured from the ASTM website(www.astm.org/COPYRIGHT/).F1823 97(2012)2