According to SOLAS Chapter III & LSA Code
Every Lifebuoy should,
> have an outer diameter of not more than 800 mm and an inner diameter of not less than
400 mm
> Constructed by an inherently buoyant material
> Support 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for a period of 24 Hours
> have a mass of not less than 2.5 kg
> resist the fire upto 2 second
> Able to sustain a drop of 30m or the height of stowage, whichever is greater
> be filled with a grabline not less than 9.5 mm in diameter and not less than 4 times the
outside diameter of the body of the buoy in length.
> The grabline shall be secured at four equidistant points around the circumference of the buoy to form four equal loops
> At least 50% lifebuoys fitted with self igniting lights
> 2 buoys with lights to have smoke and be able to be released from the bridge.
> all types to be evenly distributed on both sides
> Minimum No.--
Cargo ships
Ship length under 100m---8No’s
100-150m------ 10No’s
150-200m----- 12No’s
200above---- 14No’s
Passenger Ships
Under 60m-----8No’s
60m-120m----12No’s
120 -180m------18No’s
180-240m------ 24No’s
240 above------ 36No’s
Lifebuoy self-igniting lights
> Cannot extinguished by water
> White color
> If its capable of burning continues & its luminous intensity not be less than 2 cd ( candela
)for a period of 2 hour. If its a flashing type having min 50 and max 70 flashes per minute for a period of 2 hour.
> Able to withstand drop test
Lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals
> Emit smoke of a highly visible color at a uniform rate for a period of at least 15 min when floating in calm water
> Not ignite explosively or emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time of the signal
> Not be flooded with water in sea way
> Continuously emit smoke when fully submerged for a period of at least 10 s
> Withstand the drop test into the water from 30m or height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition, whichever is the greater.
Buoyant lifelines
> Non kinking
> Min. dia 8mm
> Min breaking strength 5kN