The Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances for Passenger Ships of Classes III to VI (A)) Regulations 1992

PART I ROCKET PARACHUTE FLARES

Construction

1.1  A rocket parachute flare shall:

1.1.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

1.1.2 be contained in a water-resistant casing;

1.1.3 have integral means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions and require the minimum of preparation;

1.1.4 be so designed that it shall not cause discomfort to the person holding the casing when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating instructions;

1.1.5 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes, or plastic envelopes;

1.1.6 be so constructed that the end from which the rocket is ejected can be positively identified by day or night;

1.1.7 be so constructed that all components, compositions and ingredients of the signal and the means of igniting it shall be of such character and quality to enable the signal to maintain its serviceability under good average storage conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years; and

1.1.8 be so constructed that if it is intended to be stowed in a liferaft it can function effectively after being subjected to a drop test appropriate to the height at which the liferaft is to be stowed, when the signal is packed in the equipment container.

Performance

2.1  A rocket parachute flare shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of −30°C to +65°C.

2.2  A rocket shall, when fired vertically, reach an altitude of not less than 300 metres. At or near the top of its trajectory, the rocket shall eject a parachute flare, which shall:

2.2.1 burn with a bright red colour;

2.2.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 candela;

2.2.3 have a burning period not less than 40 seconds;

2.2.4 have a rate of descent of not more than 5 metres/second; and

2.2.5 not damage its parachute or attachments while burning.

2.3  The rocket shall in addition be capable of functioning when the rocket is fired at an angle of 45° to the horizontal.

Marking

3.1  A rocket parachute flare shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the rocket parachute flare printed on its casing.

3.2  The date of manufacture and the date of expiry shall be marked indelibly on the casing.

3.3  The words “DOT (UK) APPROVED” shall be marked indelibly on the casing.