Thermal protective tests for immersion suits: UK21/L021
Adopted EU recommendation LSA-074. UK approved recommendation on the correct application of thermal protective tests for immersion suits.
Question
MSC.81(70) clause 3.1.9 states:
Following a jump by each test subject into water from a height sufficient to totally immerse the body, the ingress of water into the immersion suit or anti-exposure suit should not exceed a mass of 500g.
There are certain designs that don’t allow the body to be completely immersed in water when jumping from a height of 4.5 metres (which is the highest elevation defined). Such suits that have designs preventing total submersion, should not require either a higher jump or alternative means to introduce possible water into the suit. Requiring that a suit be completely submersed may require an elevation such that it becomes dangerous for the test subject, and would subject the suit to impact forces that were not intended by the requirements.
Is it acceptable to interpret that clause 3.1.9 is met if a suit design is such that, when subjects enter the water from a height of 4.5 metres, the body is not totally immersed?
Recommendation
Yes. Following a jump by each test subject into water from a height sufficient to totally immerse the body, but not exceeding 4.5 metres, the ingress of water into the immersion suit or anti-exposure suit should not exceed a mass of 500g.
References
- MSC.81 (70)
- MSN 1874 as amended
- The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected
- UK/1.5, Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket
- UK/1.6, Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits designed to be worn without a life jacket
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca