2 Static seat tests
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - HSC Code - International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft, 1994 – Resolution MSC.36(63) - Annex - International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft, 1994 - Annex 9 - Criteria for Testing and Evaluation of Revenue and Crew Seats - 2 Static seat tests

2 Static seat tests

  2.1 The requirements of this paragraph are applicable for crew and revenue seats in craft having a design collision load of less than 3 g.

  2.2 All seats to which this paragraph applies, along with their supports and deck attachments, should be designed to withstand at least the following static forces applied in the direction of the craft:

  • .1 Forward direction: a force of 2.25 kN,

  • .2 After direction: a force of 1.5 kN,

  • .3 Transverse direction: a force of 1.5 kN,

  • .4 Vertically downward: a force of 2.25 kN, and

  • .5 Vertically upward: a force of 1.5 kN.

If these forces are applied in the fore or aft direction of the seat, they should be applied horizontally to the seat back 350 mm above the seat bottom. If the forces are applied in the transverse seat direction, they should be applied horizontally to the seat bottom. Vertical upward forces should be evenly distributed to the corners of seat bottom frame. Vertical downward forces should be uniformly distributed over the seat bottom.

If a seating unit consists of more than one seating position, these forces should be applied at each seating position concurrently during the tests.

  2.3 When the forces are applied to a seat, consideration should be given to the direction in which the seat is to face in the craft. For example, if the seat faces sideways, the transverse craft force would be applied fore and aft on the seat and the forward craft force would be applied transversely on the seat.

  2.4 Each seating unit to be tested should be attached to the support structure similar to the manner in which it will be attached to the deck structure in the craft. Although a rigid support structure can be used for these tests, a support structure, having the same strength and stiffness as the support structure in the craft, is preferred.

  2.5 The forces described in 2.2.1 to 2.2.3 should be applied to the seat through a cylindrical surface having a radius of 82 mm and a width at least equal to the width of the seat. The surface should be equipped with at least one force transducer able to measure the forces specified.

  2.6 The seat should be considered acceptable if:

  • .1 under the influence of the forces referred to in 2.2.1 to 2.2.3, the permanent displacement measured at the point of application of the force is not more than 400 mm;

  • .2 no part of the seat, the seat mountings or the accessories become completely detached during the tests;

  • .3 the seat remains firmly held, even if one or more of the anchorages is partly detached, and all of the locking systems remain locked during the whole duration of the test (adjustment and locking systems need not be operational after the tests); and

  • .4 rigid parts of the seat with which the occupant may come into contact should present a curved surface with a radius of at least 5 mm.

  2.7 The requirements of section 3 may be used in lieu of the requirements of this section provided that the accelerations used for the tests are at least 3 g.


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