188体育

Question

The Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code 2.4.1.1.1 states that: 鈥淭he anti-exposure suit (AES) shall be constructed with waterproof materials such that it provides inherent buoyancy of at least 70 N.鈥�

To meet the requirement;

a) is it possible to make a combination of two pieces: a separate buoyancy vest (first donned and secured) and a waterproof coverall fulfilling other requirements for the material if both parts are declared as a combination on the labels of both garments?

or;

b) shall the buoyant material be an integral or attached part of the AES (e.g. between cover and lining)?

Recommendation

The answer to question a) is 鈥淣o鈥�. The answer to question b) is 鈥淵es鈥�.

It is required that anti-exposure suits be constructed as a single item with integral buoyancy being provided of at least 70N.

The LSA Code refers to 鈥楾he anti-exposure suit鈥� and this implies one garment, otherwise the reference would be to the 鈥榠tems of the anti-exposure suit鈥�.

In addition, should the wearer have to don two separate items such as a buoyancy vest and then the suit, these may, in an emergency, become separated and the wearer may even believe that the buoyancy vest would not be required when a lifejacket is also worn. 鈥�

References

• The Life-Saving Appliances Code
• MSN 1874 as amended
• as amended

Items affected

• UK/1.5, Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn in conjunction WITH a lifejacket

More information

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.gov.uk/mca