EN ISO 12402-6:2020
(Main)Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special application lifejackets and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special application lifejackets and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2020)
This document specifies the safety requirements and additional test methods for special application lifejackets and buoyancy aids (hereafter named PFD) for adults, children or infants. It is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO 12402‑2:2020, ISO 12402‑3:2020, ISO 12402‑4:2020 and ISO 12402‑5:2020, as applicable.
Persönliche Auftriebsmittel - Teil 6: Rettungswesten und Schwimmhilfen für besondere Einsatzzwecke - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und zusätzliche Prüfverfahren (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Dieses Dokument legt die sicherheitstechnischen Anforderungen und zusätzlichen Prüfverfahren für Rettungswesten und Schwimmhilfen für besondere Einsatzzwecke (nachfolgend PFD) für Erwachsene, Kinder oder Kleinkinder fest. Es ist für die Verwendung im Zusammenhang mit ISO 12402 2:2020, ISO 12402 3:2020, ISO 12402 4:2020 und ISO 12402 5:2020 vorgesehen.
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 (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Le présent document spécifie les exigences de sécurité et les méthodes d'essai complémentaires applicables aux gilets de sauvetage et aux aides à la flottabilité à application particulière (ci-après désignés par EIF) pour adultes, enfants et jeunes enfants. Il est destiné à être utilisé conjointement avec l'ISO 12402-2:2020, ISO 12402-3:2020, l'ISO 12402-4:2020 et l'ISO 12402-5:2020, le cas échéant.
Osebni plavajoči pripomočki - 6. del: Rešilni jopiči in vzgonska pomagala za posebne namene - Varnostne zahteve in dodatne preskusne metode (ISO 12402-6:2020)
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2020
Nadomešča:
SIST EN ISO 12402-6:2006
SIST EN ISO 12402-6:2006/A1:2010
Osebni plavajoči pripomočki - 6. del: Rešilni jopiči in vzgonska pomagala za
posebne namene - Varnostne zahteve in dodatne preskusne metode (ISO 12402-
6:2020)
Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special application lifejackets and buoyancy aids -
Safety requirements and additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Persönliche Auftriebsmittel - Teil 6: Rettungswesten und Schwimmhilfen für besondere
Einsatzzwecke - Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und zusätzliche Prüfverfahren
(ISO 12402-6:2020)
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 (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 12402-6:2020
ICS:
13.340.70 Rešilni jopiči, vzgonska Lifejackets, buoyancy aids
pomagala in plavajoči and floating devices
pripomočki
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN ISO 12402-6
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
September 2020
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.70 Supersedes EN ISO 12402-6:2006
English Version
Personal flotation devices - Part 6: Special application
lifejackets and buoyancy aids - Safety requirements and
additional test methods (ISO 12402-6:2020)
Équipements individuels de flottabilité - Partie 6: Gilets Persönliche Auftriebsmittel - Teil 6: Rettungswesten
de sauvetage et aides à la flottabilité pour usages und Schwimmhilfen für besondere Einsatzzwecke -
spéciaux - Exigences de sécurité et méthodes d'essai Sicherheitstechnische Anforderungen und zusätzliche
complémentaires (ISO 12402-6:2020) Prüfverfahren (ISO 12402-6:2020)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 26 July 2020.
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 CEN-CENELEC Management Centre 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 CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2020 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 12402-6:2020 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 12402-6:2020) 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 2021, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by March 2021.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN ISO 12402-6:2006.
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 the 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, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 12402-6:2020 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 12402-6:2020 without any
modification.
Annex ZA
(informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the essential
requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and
of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment aimed to
be covered
This European Standard has been prepared under a Commission's standardization request to provide
one voluntary means of conforming to essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment.
Once this standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union under that Regulation
(EU) 2016/425, compliance with the normative 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 Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and associated EFTA regulations.
Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard
and Regulation (EU) 2016/425
Essential Requirements of Clause(s)/sub-clause(s) Remarks/Notes
Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of this EN
1.1.2.2 Classes of protection appropriate 4.2
to different levels of risk
1.2.1 Absence of risks and other 6.2.1 and 6.2.2; 6.3.1 and 6.3.2;
inherent' nuisance factors 6.4.1 and 6.4.2.2; 6.4.2.3; 6.6.1;
7.2.1;7.2.2; 7.3.2; 7.4.1 and
7.4.2.1 to 7.4.2.5; 7.5.1; 7.5.2.1
and 7.5.2.2; 7.6.1; 7.7.1 and
7.7.2;
7.8.2; 7.9.1 and 7.9.2.
1.3.3 Compatibility of different types of 7.8.2.3
PPE intended for simultaneous
use
1.4 Manufacturer's instructions and 6.2.3; 6.3.3; 6.4.3; 6.5.3; 6.6.2;
information 7.2.3; 7.3.3; 7.4.3; 7.5.3; 7.6.3;
7.7.4; 7.8.3; 7.9.3.
3.4.1 Prevention of drowning 6.5.1 and 6.5.2; 7.2.1 and
7.2.2.1; 7.4.2.6; 7.6.1 and 7.6.2;
7.7.3.2
3.4.2 Buoyancy aids 6.4.1 and 6.4.2.1; 6.5.1 and
6.5.2; 7.4.2.6; 7.7.3.2
WARNING 1 — Presumption of conformity stays valid only as long as a reference to this European
Standard is maintained in the list published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Users of this
standard should consult frequently the latest list published in the Official Journal of the European
Union.
WARNING 2 — Other Union legislation may be applicable to the product(s) falling within the scope of
this standard.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 12402-6
Second edition
2020-07
Personal flotation devices —
Part 6:
Special application 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 12402-6:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Classification of PFDs . 4
4.1 Classes . 4
4.1.1 Buoyancy aids . 4
4.1.2 Lifejackets . 4
4.1.3 Special application PFDs . 4
4.2 Performance levels . 4
4.2.1 Level 50 . 4
4.2.2 Level 100. 5
4.2.3 Level 150. 5
4.2.4 Level 275. 5
5 Special application PFDs . 5
5.1 General . 5
5.2 Application-specific PFDs . 5
5.3 User-assisted PFDs . 6
6 Requirements for user-assisted PFDs . 6
6.1 Principles . 6
6.2 User-convertible inflatable PFDs . 7
6.2.1 General. 7
6.2.2 Additional requirements for user-convertible inflatable PFDs . 7
6.2.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for user-convertible inflatable PFDs . 7
6.3 Manual-only inflatable PFDs . 8
6.3.1 General. 8
6.3.2 Additional requirements for manual-only inflatable PFDs . 8
6.3.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for manual-only inflatable PFDs . 8
6.4 Inherently buoyant flotation suit PFDs . 8
6.4.1 General. 8
6.4.2 Specific requirements for inherently buoyant flotation suit PFDs . 9
6.4.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for inherently buoyant flotation suit PFDs 9
6.5 Hybrid PFDs . .10
6.5.1 General.10
6.5.2 Specific requirements for hybrid PFDs .10
6.5.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for hybrid PFDs .10
6.6 PFDs without a cylinder seal indicator .10
6.6.1 General.10
6.6.2 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs without cylinder seal
indication.11
7 Requirements for application-specific PFDs .11
7.1 General .11
7.1.1 Principles .11
7.1.2 Basic requirements .11
7.2 Offshore sailing lifejackets .11
7.2.1 General.11
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
7.2.2 Specific requirements for offshore sailing lifejackets .12
7.2.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for offshore sailing lifejackets .12
7.3 PFDs for firefighting application .12
7.3.1 General.12
7.3.2 Specific requirements for PFDs for firefighting application . .12
7.3.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs for firefighting application .13
7.4 Commercial white-water PFDs .13
7.4.1 General.13
7.4.2 Specific requirements for PFDs intended for commercial white-water.13
7.4.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for commercial white-water PFDs .15
7.5 PFDs for personal water craft, water skiing, or similar towed uses .15
7.5.1 General.15
7.5.2 Specific requirements for PFDs for personal water craft, water skiing, or
similar towed uses . .15
7.5.3 Additional marking .16
7.6 Inflatable PFDs for cold environment .16
7.6.1 General.16
7.6.2 Specific Requirements for PFDs for cold environment .16
7.6.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs for cold environment .17
7.7 PFDs for swift water rescue .18
7.7.1 General.18
7.7.2 Specific requirements for PFDs used for swift water rescue .18
7.7.3 Specific tests for PFDs used for swift water rescue .19
7.7.4 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs used for swift water rescue .20
7.8 PFDs for fall arrest .20
7.8.1 General.20
7.8.2 Specific requirements for PFDs for fall arrest .21
7.8.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs for fall arrest .21
7.9 PFDs with quick-release harness systems .21
7.9.1 General.21
7.9.2 Quick-release mechanism test .22
7.9.3 Additional marking, information supplied by the manufacturer, and
consumer information at point of sale for PFDs with quick-release
harness systems .22
Bibliography .24
iv © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved
ISO 12402-6:2020(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.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
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. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 188, Small craft, Subcommittee SC 1,
Personal safety equipment.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12402-6:2006), which has been
technically revised. It also incorporates the Amendment ISO 12402-6:2006/Amd. 1:2010.
The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
a) complete new structure;
b) new clauses for requirements for user-assisted PFDs (Clause 6) and requirements for application-
specific PFDs (Clause 7);
c) new definitions for application-specific PFDs;
d) amendment of Table 1, for loads and durations for tensile test of white-water PFDs;
e) new Table 2, for loads and durations for tensile test of swift water rescue PFDs.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
Introduction
ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 deals with personal floatation devices (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 International Standard give a reasonable assurance of safety from
drowning to a person who is immersed in water. ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 does not include the
following:
— requirements for lifejackets on seagoing ships, which are regulated by the International Maritime
1)
Organization (IMO) under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS);
— throwable devices and flotation cushions.
ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 allows for the buoyancy of a PFD to be provided by a variety of materials or
designs, some of which can require preparation before entering the water (e.g. inflation of chambers by
gas from a cylinder or blown in orally). 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), which all 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, if automatic operation would result in entrapment, or if help is 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 the ISO 12402 series: 2020 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 (all parts):2020 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. 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
provided by ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 are the following:
— to provide higher levels of support (levels 100, 150, or 275) that generally float the user with greater
water clearance, when required for increasingly severe conditions; or to provide lighter or less
bulky PFDs (levels 50 or 100);
— to provide the kinds of flotation (inherently buoyant foam, hybrid, and inflatable) that
accommodate the sometimes conflicting needs of reliability and durability, in-water performance,
and continuous wear;
1) The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is an institution with domicile in London issuing regulations
which are then published as laws by its Member States.
vi © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved
ISO 12402-6:2020(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 PFDs
buoyancy by manual and oral operation; and
— 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 need to be secure when worn, in order to provide
positive support in the water and to allow users to swim or actively assist themselves or others. The
PFD selected ensures 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) can alter the performance of the PFD. Users, owners and employers need to
ensure that this is taken into account when selecting a PFD. Similarly, it is possible that PFDs do not
perform as well in extremes of temperature, although meeting ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 requirements.
PFDs can also be affected by other conditions of use, such as chemical exposure and welding, and can
require additional protection to meet the specific requirements of use. Taking a PFD into such conditions
necessitates the assurance that the PFD will not be adversely affected. ISO 12402 (all parts):2020 also
allows a PFD to be an integral part of a safety harness designed to conform to ISO 12401:2009, 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 expected to conform to ISO 12402 (all parts):2020.
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 use. 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 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 impair 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.
The characteristics of the product properties, alternative choices and the limitations to normal use are
to be explained to potential buyers by manufacturers and distributors of PFDs prior to purchase.
Similarly, it is advised that regulators regarding the use of these garments consider carefully which
class and performance levels are most appropriate for the foreseeable conditions of use, allowing
for the higher risk circumstances. These higher risk circumstances should account for the highest
probabilities of occurrence of accidental immersion and expected consequences. Requirements and
recommendations for the correct selection and application of PFDs are given in ISO 12402-10:2020.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
Personal flotation devices —
Part 6:
Special application lifejackets and buoyancy aids — Safety
requirements and additional test methods
1 Scope
This document specifies the safety requirements and additional test methods for special application
lifejackets and buoyancy aids (hereafter named PFD) for adults, children or infants. It is intended to be
used in conjunction with ISO 12402-2:2020, ISO 12402-3:2020, ISO 12402-4:2020 and ISO 12402-5:2020,
as applicable.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements 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.
ISO 12401:2009, Small craft — Deck safety harness and safety line — Safety requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-2:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 2: Lifejackets, performance level 275 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-3:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 3 Lifejackets, performance level 150 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-4:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 4: Lifejackets, performance level 100 — Safety
requirements
ISO 12402-5:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) — Safety requirements
ISO 12402-7:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 7: Materials and components — Safety requirements
and test methods
ISO 12402-8:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-9:2020, Personal flotation devices — Part 9: Evaluation
ISO 13688:2013, Protective clothing — General requirements
ISO 15025:2016, Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Method of test for limited flame spread
ISO 14116:2015, Protective clothing — Protection against flame — Limited flame spread materials,
material assemblies and clothing
ISO 17493:2016, Clothing and equipment for protection against heat — Test method for convective heat
resistance using a hot air circulating oven
ISO 20471:2013+Amd.1:2016, High visibility clothing — Test methods and requirements
EN 1621-1:2012, Motorcyclists’ protective clothing against mechanical impact — Part 1: Motorcyclists’
limb joint impact protectors — Requirements and test methods
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
EN 1621-2:2014, Motorcyclists’ protective clothing against mechanical impact — Part 2: Motorcyclists’
back protectors — Requirements and test methods
EN 1621-3:2018, Motorcyclists’ protective clothing against mechanical impact — Part 3: Motorcyclist's
chest protectors — Requirements and test methods
EN 12275:2013, Mountaineering equipment — Connectors — Safety requirements and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
personal flotation device
PFD
garment or device which, when correctly worn and used in water, provides the user with a specific
amount of buoyancy which increases the likelihood of survival
3.2
inherently buoyant
permanently less dense than water
3.3
automatic inflation
inflation of the PFD (3.1) without the user carrying out any action at the time of water immersion
3.4
manual inflation
inflation of the PFD (3.1) resulting from the user operating a mechanism
3.5
oral inflation
inflation resulting from the user blowing air into the PFD (3.1) by mouth
3.6
emergency position indicating light
device which emits light so as to increase the chances of a user being located
3.7
multi-chamber buoyancy system
PFD (3.1) with buoyancy to meet the applicable PFD performance requirement provided by two or more
independent chambers
Note 1 to entry: This excludes supplemental inflation chambers.
3.8
deck safety harness
device that allows a user to be securely attached to a strong point on a vessel or on shore, preventing a
fall into the water or, if falling occurs, preventing separation from the vessel or shore
3.9
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 promoting the survival of the user in rough
water conditions
2 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
3.10
hybrid PFD
PFD (3.1) of combined buoyancy types, i.e. inherent and inflatable
3.11
sheltered waters
water with protection from significant breaking waves, current, or strong winds, where the possibility
of being blown or carried away from shore or place of safety is minimal
3.12
offshore
water that is unprotected and influenced by a variety of threat conditions such as waves, tide, currents,
or wind, at sea or on inland waters
3.13
primary means of inflation
means of inflating an inflation chamber that meets the applicable PFD performance requirements and
that requires the least amount of intervention by the user, generally according to the following order of
precedence: automatic (easiest), manual (second), and oral (most difficult)
3.14
primary chamber
inflation chamber associated with the primary means of inflation (3.13) that alone meets the applicable
PFD (3.1) performance requirements
3.15
back-up chamber
inflation chamber other than the primary chamber(s) (3.14) or supplemental chamber (3.16) that, when
used alone, provides performance in case the primary chamber fails to function
3.16
supplemental chamber
inflation chamber other than a primary chamber (3.14) or back-up chamber (3.15) that is intended
for deployment after stabilization in the water, and provides enhanced performance such as higher
freeboard, improved head support, additional stability, splash protection, location, detection
3.17
status indicator
part or parts of an inflation system which provide user feedback to assist in keeping an inflatable PFD
(3.1) in an armed and ready condition
3.18
adult lifejacket
PFD (3.1) intended for users with a body mass of greater than 40 kg
3.19
infant lifejacket
lifejacket intended for users with a body mass less than or equal to 15 kg
3.20
child PFD
PFD intended for users with a body mass of greater than 15 kg and less than or equal to 40 kg
3.21
structural parts, materials and components
parts, materials, or components that are integral to the device and that are essential for its correct
function and performance
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
3.22
ride-up prevention system
system that helps to secure the PFD (3.1) in its functional position on the body and prevent the PFD
from riding up the body towards the head
Note 1 to entry: A crotch strap is one example of a ride-up prevention system.
3.23
collar handle
device on the upper back of a PFD (3.1) which facilitates getting hold of the wearer
3.24
personal locator device
PLD
device that aids the (electronic) detection and location of people in distress and emergency situations
3.25
cylinder seal indicator
part or parts of an inflation system which provide feedback to the user to indicate whether the gas
cylinder fitted has or has not been pierced
4 Classification of PFDs
4.1 Classes
4.1.1 Buoyancy aids
A buoyancy aid is a garment or device that, when worn correctly, provides support without significant
face-up turning ability and therefore can require an action by the user to position the face clear of
the water.
A buoyancy aid provides suitable performance in sheltered waters and, at higher levels of support, it
can be suitable for use in other waters.
4.1.2 Lifejackets
A lifejacket is a garment or device that, when worn correctly, maintains the user in a face-up flotation
position, without additional action, with various levels of performance suitable for sheltered and
unsheltered waters.
A lifejacket has a buoyancy distribution sufficient to turn most users to a position where the mouth is
clear of the water even when exhausted.
4.1.3 Special application PFDs
A special application PFD shall have performance equivalent to a lifejacket or buoyancy aid, but has
additional features and requirements related to specific applications for use. These PFDs can require
additional action by the user, or can only be suitable for certain activities or user groups according to
ISO 12402-6:2020.
4.2 Performance levels
4.2.1 Level 50
This level is intended for use by those who have help or a means of rescue close at hand, and who are
able to swim. This device often has minimal bulk, but requires active participation by the user and
cannot be expected to keep the user safe for a long period of time.
4 © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved
ISO 12402-6:2020(E)
As tested in swimming attire (when fully inflated, if inflatable) the device helps to support the user in a
position with the
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