4.2.2 Construction of inflatable liferafts
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - LSA Code - International Life-Saving Appliance Code – Resolution MSC.48(66) - Chapter IV - Survival Craft - 4.2 Inflatable liferafts - 4.2.2 Construction of inflatable liferafts

4.2.2 Construction of inflatable liferafts

  4.2.2.1 The main buoyancy chamber shall be divided into not less than two separate compartments, each inflated through a nonreturn inflation valve on each compartment. The buoyancy chambers shall be so arranged that, in the event of any one of the compartments being damaged or failing to inflate, the intact compartments shall be able to support, with positive freeboard over the liferaft's entire periphery, the number of persons which the liferaft is permitted to accommodate each having a mass of 82.5 kg and seated in their normal positions.

  4.2.2.2 The floor of the liferaft shall be waterproof and shall be capable of being sufficiently insulated against cold either:

  • .1 by means of one or more compartments that the occupants can inflate, or which inflate automatically and can be deflated and reinflated by the occupants; or

  • .2 by other equally efficient means not dependent on inflation.

  4.2.2.3 The liferaft shall be capable of being inflated by one person. The liferaft shall be inflated with a nontoxic gas. The inflation system, including any relief valves installed in compliance with paragraph 4.2.2.4, shall comply with the requirements of an international standard acceptable to the Organization. Inflation shall be completed within a period of 1 min at an ambient temperature of between 18°C and 20°C and within a period of 3 min at an ambient temperature of -30°C. After inflation the liferaft shall maintain its form when loaded with its full complement of persons and equipment.

  4.2.2.4 Each inflatable compartment shall be capable of withstanding a pressure equal to at least 3 times the working pressure and shall be prevented from reaching a pressure exceeding twice the working pressure either by means of relief valves or by a limited gas supply. Means shall be provided for fitting the topping up pump or bellows required by paragraph 4.2.9.1.2 so that the working pressure can be maintained.

Parent topic: 4.2 Inflatable liferafts
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.