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

Regulations 2(3) and 20, Schedule 4, Part IV

PART III BUOYANT SMOKE SIGNALS

Construction

1.1  A buoyant smoke signal 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 an integral means of ignition which can be readily operated with wet, cold or gloved hands in adverse conditions;

1.1.4 be so designed to enable the signal to be released from a survival craft without harm to the occupants;

1.1.5 be so designed that it shall not ignite explosively when used in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating instructions;

1.1.6 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 conditions in the marine environment for a period of at least 3 years;

1.1.7 be so constructed that any sealing shall not depend on adhesive tapes or plastic envelopes; 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 buoyant smoke signal shall not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range of −30°C to +65°C.

2.2  It shall be capable of satisfactory operation in a seaway.

2.3  A buoyant smoke signal shall:

2.3.1 emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of not less than 3 minutes when floating in calm water;

2.3.2 not emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time;

2.3.3 not be swamped in a seaway; and

2.3.4 continue to emit smoke when submerged in water for a period of 10 seconds under 100 mm of water.

2.4  It shall be safe to operate in water covered by a low flash point liquid.

Marking

3.1  A buoyant smoke signal shall have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of smoke signal 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.