ASTM F1823-97

Standard Guide for Water Rescue Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the minimum performance and safety requirements of a water rescue lifejacket/PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
1.2 In recognition of many broad and varied applications of such PFD's, many options are included.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-1997
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.01 - Equipment, Testing, and Maintenance

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1823-97(2002) - Standard Guide for Water Rescue Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
• Effective Date: 10-Dec-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1823 – 97
Standard Guide for
Water Rescue Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1823; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope The water situation, weather situation, and size of rescuer, will
dictate what type of PFD to utilize.
1.1 This guide covers the minimum performance and safety
4.2 This guide will assist government agencies, state, local,
requirements of a water rescue lifejacket/PFD (Personal
or regional organizations; fire departments; rescue teams and
Floatation Device).
others who are responsible for purchasing and equipping
1.2 In recognition of many broad and varied applications of
personnel who respond to water emergencies.
such PFD’s, many options are included.
4.3 This guide establishes criteria that shall be considered in
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the performance, specification, purchase, and acceptance test-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ing of a water rescue PFD.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5. Classification
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.1 This guide includes the following types of PFD’s:
2. Referenced Documents 5.1.1 Type I—Off Shore Life Preserver
5.1.2 Type II—Near Shore Buoyant Vest
2.1 Code of Federal Regulations:
2 5.1.3 Type III—Special Purpose Flotation Aid
160.047 Buoyant Vests
5.1.4 Type IV flotation devices—Throwable Devices
160.052 Buoyant Vests
2 5.1.5 Type V flotation devices—Special Use Devices
160.053 Work Vests
160.060 Buoyant Vests
6. General Requirements
160.064 Marine Buoyant Devices
2 6.1 All PFD’s should conform to standards set by the
160.076 Inflatable Lifejackets
appropriate national regulatory authority, that is, the U.S. Coast
160.077 Hybrid Inflatable Personal Flotation Device
2 Guard in the United States, and be in good and serviceable
160.071 Immersion Suits
condition.
3. Terminology
7. Performance Requirements
3.1 Definitions:
7.1 Highly visible.
3.1.1 Personal Flotation Device, PFD, n—a buoyant device
7.2 Adequate flotation for individual and water rescue
suitable for use
...