AS 2259-1996

1 - AS 2259-1996 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BUOYANCY AIDS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - SECTION 1 SCOPE AND GENERAL
6 - 1.1 SCOPE
6 - 1.2 OBJECTIVE
6 - 1.3 APPLICATION
6 - 1.4 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
7 - 1.5 DEFINITIONS
7 - 1.5.1 Air cell
7 - 1.5.2 Buoyancy aid
7 - 1.5.3 Float-off buoyancy aid
7 - 1.5.4 Personal flotation device (PFD)
7 - 1.5.5 PFD Type 1
7 - 1.5.6 PFD Type 2
8 - 1.5.7 PFD Type 3
8 - 1.5.8 Outer covering
8 - 1.5.9 Rescue buoy
8 - 1.5.10 Safe floating position
8 - 1.5.11 Sheltered waters
9 - SECTION 2 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
9 - 2.1 GENERAL DESIGN
9 - 2.1.1 Freedom from defects
9 - 2.1.2 Buoyancy
9 - 2.1.3 Comfort
9 - 2.1.4 Ease of donning
9 - 2.1.5 Security of fit
9 - 2.1.6 Yachting harnesses
9 - 2.2 SOURCE OF BUOYANCY
9 - 2.2.1 General
9 - 2.2.2 Closed-cell plastics
9 - 2.2.3 Kapok
9 - 2.2.4 Air cells
9 - 2.2.5 Inflatable chambers
10 - 2.3 CONSTRUCTION OF BUOYANCY AIDS EMPLOYING CLOSED-CELL PLASTICS AS A SOURCE OF BUOYANCY
10 - 2.3.1 General
10 - 2.3.2 Outer covering materials
10 - 2.3.3 Coating for closed-cell plastics
11 - 2.4 CONSTRUCTION OF BUOYANCY AIDS EMPLOYING INFLATABLE CHAMBERS AS A SOURCE OF BUOYANCY
11 - 2.4.1 Wall materials
11 - 2.4.2 Fabrication of chambers
12 - 2.4.3 Means of inflation
12 - 2.4.4 Manually-operated inflation mechanisms
12 - 2.4.5 Fully automatic inflation mechanisms
12 - 2.4.6 Oral inflation device
12 - 2.4.7 Gas cylinders
13 - 2.5 CONSTRUCTION OF BUOYANCY AIDS EMPLOYING KAPOKAS A SOURCE OF BUOYANCY
13 - 2.5.1 General
13 - 2.5.2 Inner envelope
13 - 2.5.3 Outer covering materials
13 - 2.5.4 Dynamic loading test
13 - 2.6 CONSTRUCTION OF BUOYANCY AIDS EMPLOYING AIR CELLS AS A SOURCE OF BUOYANCY
13 - 2.6.1 General requirements
13 - 2.6.2 Outer covering materials
13 - 2.7 WEBBING, TAPES AND CORDS
13 - 2.8 SEWING
13 - 2.8.1 Thread
13 - 2.8.2 Stitching
14 - 2.8.3 Strength of finished seams
14 - 2.9 FASTENINGS AND FITTINGS
14 - 2.10 RESISTANCE TO CORROSION
15 - SECTION 3 PERFORMANCE
15 - 3.1 STRENGTH OF FASTENING DEVICES
15 - 3.2 RESISTANCE TO CRUSHING
15 - 3.3 RESISTANCE TO HEAT
15 - 3.4 RESISTANCE TO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
15 - 3.5 RETROREFLECTIVITY
15 - 3.5.1 Material
15 - 3.5.2 Sewing
15 - 3.5.3 Inspection
18 - APPENDIX A - METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BUOYANCY
18 - A1 SCOPE
18 - A2 PRINCIPLE
18 - A3 APPARATUS
18 - A4 PROCEDURE
19 - A5 CALCULATION
19 - A6 TEST REPORT
20 - APPENDIX B - METHOD FOR TESTING AIR POROSITY
20 - B1 SCOPE
20 - B2 PRINCIPLE
20 - B3 APPARATUS
20 - B4 TEST SPECIMENS
20 - B5 PREPARATION OF TEST SPECIMENS
20 - B6 PROCEDURE
20 - B7 TEST REPORT
21 - APPENDIX C - METHOD FOR TESTING STATE OF VULCANIZATION
21 - C1 SCOPE
21 - C2 PRINCIPLE
21 - C3 REAGENT
21 - C4 PROCEDURE
21 - C5 TEST REPORT
22 - APPENDIX D - METHOD FOR TESTING RESISTANCE TO INADVERTENT OPERATION OF AUTOMATIC INFLATION DEVICES
22 - D1 SCOPE
22 - D2 PRINCIPLE
22 - D3 APPARATUS
22 - D4 PROCEDURE
22 - D5 TEST REPORT
24 - APPENDIX E - METHOD FOR TESTING STRENGTH OF WELDS
24 - E1 SCOPE
24 - E2 PRINCIPLE
24 - E3 PROCEDURE
24 - E4 TEST REPORT
25 - APPENDIX F - DYNAMIC LOADING TEST FOR KAPOK BUOYANCY AIDS
25 - F1 SCOPE
25 - F2 PRINCIPLE
25 - F3 APPARATUS
25 - F4 PROCEDURE
25 - F5 TEST REPORT
26 - APPENDIX G - A SUITABLE STITCHING FOR USE IN BUOYANCY AID FABRICATION*
27 - APPENDIX H - METHOD FOR TESTING STRENGTH OF FASTENING DEVICES
27 - H1 SCOPE
27 - H2 PRINCIPLE
27 - H3 APPARATUS
27 - H4 PROCEDURE
27 - H5 TEST REPORT
29 - APPENDIX I - METHOD FOR EXPOSURE OF BUOYANCY AIDS TO KEROSENE
29 - I1 SCOPE
29 - I2 PRINCIPLE
29 - I3 APPARATUS AND REAGENTS
29 - I4 PROCEDURE
29 - I5 TEST REPORT
30 - APPENDIX J - SELECTING A PFD
30 - J1 GENERAL
30 - J2 PFD TYPES
31 - J3 PFDs AND CHILDREN

Specifies requirements for materials and fabrication methods used in the construction of buoyancy aids, specifically the material used as the source of buoyancy and its incorporation within the device. Appendices include test procedures for determining the buoyancy of a buoyancy aid, the strength and durability of its components, and advice for consumers on the correct selection of a buoyancy aid from the different types available.

This Standard specifies general requirements applicable to buoyancy aids specified in the following Australian Standards:AS 1499 Personal flotation devices -Type 2AS 1512 Personal flotation devices -Type 1AS 2260 Personal flotation devices -Type 3AS 2261 Rescue buoysAS 2262 Float-off buoyancy aids

First published as AS 2259-1979.
Second edition 1981.
Third edition 1983.
Fourth edition 1984.
Fifth edition 1988.
Sixth edition 1996.