A lot of people lose their lives when in contact with different off-shore activities like boating, jet skiing and other known watersport activities due to the lack of use of any personal flotation devices. The United States Coast Guard has strictly implemented the use of different personal flotation devices on all water vessels to ensure proper awareness and safety when off-shore.
The Under-writers Laboratories (UL), along with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have set a specific set of requirements for PFD manufacturers to ensure that each life jacket/PFD available for distribution is more than ready for its intended use. According to ISO 9001, it is important to deliver the highest quality possible for each consumer product being manufactured.
Here are the different types of life jackets/PFDs:
- TYPE I PFD – More known as the off-shore life jacket. This PFD is the most-used life jacket today due to its practicality and convenience and as well as its reliability.
- TYPE II PFD – Near-shore buoyant vests are specifically designed for short distance boating activities.
- TYPE III PFD – Type III PFDs are flotation devices we typically see on boats or cruise ships. These flotation devices are required to be visible at all times as per USCG standards.
- TYPE IV PFD – Boat cushions and ring buoys are a few examples of devices you can throw to a person overboard.
- TYPE V PFD – Type V PFDs are special flotation devices intended for its own specific use. Examples of these vests are the Type V immersion suit and the Type V work vest.Automatic Inflation Systems for life jackets for TYPE I, TYPE II and TYPE V may vary on build as there are two types of AIS:
- Soluble Pill/Collar Type – the most-preferred AIS by many due to the fact that once the firing pin has been engaged or come in contact with water, the firing mechanism will operate and inflate the jacket.
- Hydrostatic – hydrostatic vests requires the wearer to be immersed to a minimum depth of liquid to operate. A submersion of approximately 150-150mm is required to operate.
Depending on the type of PFD being inspected, there are several inspection processes to be used on all life jacket/PFDs to ensure quality and reliability of each product prior to distribution. Here are some of the basic inspection processes involved.
PRE-PRODUCTION INSPECTION
The primary goal of this inspection process is to verify that the personnel that will handle the overall process are accredited by the USCG and UL, and other quality control standards set by the industry to ensure that each lifesaving product to be inspected is ready for use.
MATERIALS INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each component of the PFD is free from any visible damage, cracks or defects during production to ensure that the materials to be used are of high quality. Listed below are some of the components inspected prior to assembly:
- Velcro and Velcro enclosures
- Nylon foam
- Plastic inflation device
- Retro-reflective tape
- Buckles and clip-locks
- D rings
- Light and battery cartridge (if applicable)
- Tie and Tapes
- CO2 cartridge (if applicable)
ASSEMBLY INSPECTION
After assembly, proper inspection for the different types of life jackets/PFDs are required to ensure that each lifesaving mechanism on the product is properly attached, has the right dimensions and is ready for operation upon final testing. It is important that this inspection process must be strictly enforced to save time on the production queue.
VISUAL INSPECTION
Inspect and identify the individual parts of the life jacket/PFD for any signs of wear and tear, damages and/or inconsistencies during production to ensure safe and reliable use that adheres to the safety guidelines of USCG and UL standards. Any defective product to be found during this inspection process would be returned to the production queue.
MEASUREMENT AND WEIGHT INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each life jacket/PFDs have the same measurement, weight capacity capabilities (buoyancy). It is also important that Each PFD should have the appropriate sizes fit for ages 1-65. To properly measure the buoyancy of each PFD, each product will undergo a buoyancy test to ensure that the life jackets/PFDs are properly inspected and measured. Here are the minimum specifications for each PFD:
Inherently Buoyant (Primarily Foam)
ADULTS
- TYPE I – 22 LBS
- TYPE II and TYPE III – 15.5 LBS
- TYPE V – 15.5 to 22 LBS
YOUNG ADULTS
- TYPE II and TYPE III – 11 LBS
CHILDREN/INFANTS
- TYPE II – 7 LBS
Throwing Devices
- TYPE IV Cushion – 20 LBS
- TYPE IV Ring Buoy – between 16.5 LBS and 32 LBS
Inflatable
ADULTS
- TYPE I and TYPE II – 34 LBS
- TYPE III – 22.5 LBS
- TYPE V – 22.5 to 34 LBS
Hybrid Foam and Inflation
ADULTS
- TYPE II and TYPE III – 10 LBS base weight/buoyancy / 22 LBS for inflated total buoyancy
- TYPE V – 7.5 LBS base weight/buoyancy / 22 LBS for inflated total
HANDS-ON INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each life jacket/PFD would operate under normal circumstances in the event of an emergency to ensure that the life jacket/PFD is more than ready when in need of operation. In the event of life jacket inflation (for AIS vests) due to gas charge, proper deflation methods must be practiced before re-packing the CO2 cartridge.
FINAL INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify and label the life jackets/PFDs that have passed the series of tests performed to ensure that the product is reliable and capable of operation. After receiving the quality control and safety seal, items will be then put to plastic bags for protection. Each bag will be packed into crenelated boxes and will be ready to be shipped for distribution.
