Updates on USCG PFD Standards and Regulations
Kurt Heinz from the U.S. Coast Guard's Lifesaving & Fire Safety Division provides details on Resolution 2009-83-1 and the ongoing efforts to modernize quality assurance and transition to North American standards. The content covers the required specifications for USCG-approved PFDs, the development process of standards by the Standards Technical Panel, international harmonization efforts with Canada and Mexico, and regulatory updates on performance equivalency.
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Presentation Transcript
Kurt Heinz U. S. Coast Guard (CG-ENG-4) Lifesaving & Fire Safety Division TypeApproval@uscg.mil
Resolution 2009-83-1 status update PFD Labeling Throwable PFDs Youth Inflatables 2 of 20
Resolution 2009-83-1 (Spring 2009) Complete Separate Standards and Testing Flexibility in Laboratory Recognition Ongoing Modernize Quality Assurance/Follow-Up Transition to North American Standard 3 of 20
Required for all USCG approved PFDs Specific requirements vary by approval series Historically agreed between UL and USCG More labs Race-to-the-bottom Minimum Follow-Up Services (FUS) requirements - Level the field Consensus standard vs USCG policy Industry ownership 4 of 20
Standards Technical Panel (STP) Task Group to develop the standard Chaired by USCG Wide representation from stakeholders Draft standard circulated to group members Sub-groups formed to expedite the completion Quality-based FUS (tiered approach) Test methods (sample sizes, lot acceptability) Preliminary Review February 2013 5 of 20
International Harmonization Committee (IHC) US, Canada, (Mexico) Test Labs, Manufacturers, Regulatory Bodies Harmonize with International standards ISO 12402 series National deviations US/Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) 6 of 20
Balloted Fall 2012 Failed consensus Subject selection Test method clarification Youth inflatables (ISO has no age limit) Recirculation (re-vote) Accreditation & Publication 7 of 20
Regulatory update to adopt into regs 18 months years Equivalency authority 46 CFR 159.005-7 equivalent performance characteristics at least as effective Level 70 immediately Later Level 50 Youth inflatables 8 of 20
New products challenging the standards of traditional throwables (cushions, ring buoys) A throwable must PFD: Be capable of being thrown (Distance? Accuracy?) Have buoyancy (to support one (or more?) people) (Be retrievable?) (Not be wearable?) STP Task Group Review/revise test methods to address novel throwables Re-baseline fundamental performance requirements 9 of 20
Why do we label PFDs? Communicate with the boater. What PFD to select How to use it How to take care of it Communicate with Enforcement. Is it legal? Communicate with regulators, investigators, manufacturer Identify products for recalls, safety alerts, accidents 10 of 20
Selection Use and Care Certification 11 of 20
Dec 2004: ASE Study IHC - Labels Task Group Develop proposal for the harmonized standard Nov 2011: Focus Groups Feedback strongly correlated to 2004 results Oct 2012: Preliminary review Revise existing standards Parallel to the IHC effort Transition existing labels 12 of 20
Selection/Warnings Panel Care/Maintenance Panel Certification Panel Selection/ Warnings Care/ Care/ Maintenance Maintenance Selection/ Warnings Certification Certification 13 of 20
NO MORE TYPE CODES On the shelf before the end of the year. Used prolifically; CFR, states, other agencies Think Safe Pamphlet Regulatory change Type I, II, or III PFD = Wearable PFD Type IV = Throwable PFD According to limitations on approval label and manufacturer s instructions referenced in approval 17 of 20
Nothing has changed Final Rule: April 2012 (Effective Date: May 3, 2012) Non-Substantive. Does NOT approve youth inflatables Removes barrier to standards development ANSI standard Revision to UL 1180 or Follow-on rulemaking Any new standard MUST be incorporated into the CFR before the USCG can approve inflatable PFDs for users under 16 years old. or Adoption of 12402 18 of 20
TypeApproval@uscg.mil Our website http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg521 CG Marine Information Exchange (CGMIX) http://cgmix.uscg.mil 20 of 20
