LSA CODE

INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE CODE

OBS: O texto em inglês que se segue não está consolidado com as emendas
adotadas pela resolução MSC.218(82), que entraram em vigor em 01 de julho
de 2008. A sua leitura deve ser efetuada juntamente com aquelas emendas.
Page 2

ANNEX

INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE (LSA) CODE

Contents
Preamble

CHAPTER I - GENERAL

1.1 Definitions
1.2 General requirements for life-saving appliances

CHAPTER II - PERSONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES

2.1 Lifebuoys
2.2 Lifejackets
2.3 Immersion suits
2.4 Anti-exposure suits
2.5 Thermal protective aids

CHAPTER III - VISUAL SIGNALS

3.1 Rocket parachute flares

3.2 Hand flares
3.3 Buoyant smoke signals

CHAPTER IV - SURVIVAL CRAFT

4.1 General requirements for liferafts

4.2 Inflatable liferafts
4.3 Rigid liferafts
4.4 General requirements for lifeboats
4.5 Partially enclosed lifeboats
4.6 Totally enclosed lifeboats
4.7 Free-fall lifeboats
4.8 Lifeboats with a self-contained air support system
4.9 Fire-protected lifeboats

CHAPTER V - RESCUE BOATS

5.1 Rescue boats

CHAPTER VI - LAUNCHING AND EMBARKATION APPLIANCES

6.1 Launching and embarkation appliances

6.2 Marine evacuation systems

CHAPTER VII - OTHER LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES

 Page 3

7.1 Line-throwing appliances

7.2 General alarm and public address system

THE INTERNATIONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCE CODE

PREAMBLE

1 The purpose of this Code is to provide international standards for life-saving appliances required
by chapter III of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974.

2 On and after 1 July 1998, the requirements of this Code will be mandatory under the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended. Any future
amendment to the Code will be adopted and brought into force in accordance with the procedure laid
down in Article VIII of that Convention.
Page 4

CHAPTER I - GENERAL

1.1 Definitions

1.1.1 Convention means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.

1.1.2 Effective clearing of the ship is the ability of the free-fall lifeboat to move away from the ship after
free-fall launching without using its engine.

1.1.3 Free-fall acceleration is the rate of change of velocity experienced by the occupants during
launching of a free-fall lifeboat.

1.1.4 Free-fall certification height is the greatest launching height for which the lifeboat is to be
approved, measured from the still water surface to the lowest point on the lifeboat when the lifeboat is in
the launch configuration.

1.1.5 Launching ramp angle is the angle between the horizontal and the launch rail of the lifeboat in its
launching position with the ship on even keel.

1.1.6 Launching ramp length is the distance between the stern of the lifeboat and the lower end of the
launching ramp.

1.1.7 Regulation means a regulation contained in the Annex to the Convention.

1.1.8 Required free-fall height is the greatest distance measured from the still water surface to the
lowest point on the lifeboat when the lifeboat is in the launch configuration and the ship is in its lightest
seagoing condition.

1.1.9 Retro-reflective material is a material which reflects in the opposite direction a beam of light
directed on it.

1.1.10 Water-entry angle is the angle between the horizontal and the launch rail of the lifeboat when it
first enters the water.

1.1.11 The terms used in this Code have the same meaning as those defined in regulation III/3.

1.2 General requirements for life-saving appliances

1.2.1 Paragraph 1.2.2.7 applies to life-saving appliances on all ships.

1.2.2 Unless expressly provided otherwise or unless, in the opinion of the Administration having regard
to the particular voyages on which the ship is constantly engaged, other requirements are appropriate, all
life-saving appliances prescribed in this part shall:

.1 be constructed with proper workmanship and materials;

.2 not be damaged in stowage throughout the air temperature range -30°C to +65°C;
 Page 5

.3 if they are likely to be immersed in seawater during their use, operate throughout the
seawater temperature range -1°C to +30°C;

.4 where applicable, be rot-proof, corrosion-resistant, and not be unduly affected by

seawater, oil or fungal attack;

.5 where exposed to sunlight, be resistant to deterioration;

.6 be of a highly visible colour on all parts where this will assist detection;

.7 be fitted with retro-reflective material where it will assist in detection and in accordance
with the recommendations of the Organization*;

.8 if they are to be used in a seaway, be capable of satisfactory operation in that

environment;

.9 be clearly marked with approval information including the Administration which

approved it, and any operational restrictions; and

.10 where applicable, be provided with electrical short circuit protection to prevent damage or
injury.

1.2.3 The Administration shall determine the period of acceptability of life-saving appliances which are
subject to deterioration with age. Such life-saving appliances shall be marked with a means for
determining their age or the date by which they must be replaced. Permanent marking with a date of
expiry is the preferred method of establishing the period of acceptability. Batteries not marked with an
expiration date may be used if they are replaced annually, or in the case of a secondary battery
(accumulator), if the condition of the electrolyte can be readily checked.

*
Refer to the Recommendation on the Use and Fitting of Retro-Reflective Material on
Life-saving Appliances, adopted by the Organization by resolution A.658(16), as it may
be amended.
Page 6

CHAPTER II - PERSONAL LIFE-SAVING APPLIANCES

2.1 Lifebuoys

2.1.1 Lifebuoy specification

Every lifebuoy shall:

.1 have an outer diameter of not more than 800 mm and an inner diameter of not less than
400 mm;

.2 be constructed of inherently buoyant material; it shall not depend upon rushes, cork
shavings or granulated cork, any other loose granulated material or any air compartment
which depends on inflation for buoyancy;

.3 be capable of supporting not less than 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for a period of 24 h;

.4 have a mass of not less than 2.5 kg;

.5 not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period
of 2 s;

.6 be constructed to withstand a drop into the water from the height at which it is stowed
above the waterline in the lightest seagoing condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater,
without impairing either its operating capability or that of its attached components;

.7 if it is intended to operate the quick release arrangement provided for the self-activated
smoke signals and self-igniting lights, have a mass sufficient to operate the quick release
arrangement; and

.8 be fitted with a grabline not less than 9.5 mm in diameter and not less than 4 times the
outside diameter of the body of the buoy in length. The grabline shall be secured at four
equidistant points around the circumference of the buoy to form four equal loops.

2.1.2 Lifebuoy self-igniting lights

Self-igniting lights required by regulation III/7.1.3 shall:

.1 be such that they cannot be extinguished by water;

.2 be of white colour and capable of either burning continuously with a luminous intensity
of not less than 2 cd in all directions of the upper hemisphere or flashing (discharge
flashing) at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and not more than 70 flashes per min with at
least the corresponding effective luminous intensity;

.3 be provided with a source of energy capable of meeting the requirement of paragraph

2.1.2.2 for a period of at least 2 h; and
 Page 7

.4 be capable of withstanding the drop test required by paragraph 2.1.1.6.

2.1.3 Lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals

Self-activating smoke signals required by regulation III/7.1.3 shall:

.1 emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of at least 15 min
when floating in calm water;

.2 not ignite explosively or emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time of the
signal;

.3 not be swamped in a seaway;

.4 continue to emit smoke when fully submerged in water for a period of at least 10 s; and

.5 be capable of withstanding the drop test required by paragraph 2.1.1.6.

2.1.4 Buoyant lifelines

Buoyant lifelines required by regulation III/7.1.2 shall:

.1 be non-kinking;

.2 have a diameter of not less than 8 mm; and

.3 have a breaking strength of not less than 5 kN.

2.2 Lifejackets

2.2.1 General requirements for lifejackets

2.2.1.1 A lifejacket shall not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire
for a period of 2 s.

2.2.1.2 An adult lifejacket shall be so constructed that:

.1 at least 75% of persons, who are completely unfamiliar with the lifejacket, can correctly
don it within a period of one min without assistance, guidance or prior demonstration;

.2 after demonstration, all persons can correctly don it within a period of one min without
assistance;

.3 it is clearly capable of being worn in only one way or, as far as is practicable, cannot be
donned incorrectly;

.4 it is comfortable to wear; and

Page 8

.5 it allows the wearer to jump from a height of at least 4.5 m into the water without injury
and without dislodging or damaging the lifejacket.

2.2.1.3 An adult lifejacket shall have sufficient buoyancy and stability in calm fresh water to:

.1 lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious person not less than 120 mm clear of the
water with the body inclined backwards at an angle of not less than 20° from the vertical
position; and

.2 turn the body of an unconscious person in the water from any position to one where the
mouth is clear of the water in not more than 5 s.

2.2.1.4 An adult lifejacket shall allow the person wearing it to swim a short distance and to board a
survival craft.

2.2.1.5 A child lifejacket shall be constructed and perform the same as an adult lifejacket except as
follows:

.1 donning assistance is permitted for small children;

.2 it shall only be required to lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious wearer clear of
the water a distance appropriate to the size of the intended wearer; and

.3 assistance may be given to board a survival craft, but wearer mobility shall not be
significantly reduced.

2.2.1.6 In addition to the markings required by paragraph 1.2.2.9 , a child lifejacket shall be marked
with:

.1 the height or weight range for which the lifejacket will meet the testing and evaluation
criteria recommended by the Organization;* and

.2 a "child" symbol as shown in the "child's lifejacket" symbol adopted by the

Organization.**

2.2.1.7 A lifejacket shall have buoyancy which is not reduced by more than 5% after 24h submersion in
fresh water.

*
Refer to the Recommendation on Testing of Life-saving Appliances adopted by the
Organization by resolution A.689.(17), as it may be amended.
**
Refer to Symbols related to Life-saving Appliances and Arrangements adopted by the
Organization by resolution A.760(18).
 Page 9

2.2.1.8 Each lifejacket shall be fitted with a whistle firmly secured by a cord.

2.2.2 Inflatable lifejackets

A lifejacket which depends on inflation for buoyancy shall have not less than two separate
compartments and comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1 and shall:

.1 inflate automatically on immersion, be provided with a device to permit inflation by a

single manual motion and be capable of being inflated by mouth;

.2 in the event of loss of buoyancy in any one compartment be capable of complying with
the requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.2, 2.2.1.3 and 2.2.1.4; and

.3 comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1.7 after inflation by means of the
automatic mechanism.

2.2.3 Lifejacket lights

2.2.3.1 Each lifejacket light shall:

.1 have a luminous intensity of not less than 0.75 cd in all directions of the upper
hemisphere;

.2 have a source of energy capable of providing a luminous intensity of 0.75 cd for a period
of at least 8 h;

.3 be visible over as great a segment of the upper hemisphere as is practicable when attached
to a lifejacket; and

.4 be of white colour.

2.2.3.2 If the light referred to in paragraph 2.2.3.1 is a flashing light it shall, in addition:

.1 be provided with a manually operated switch; and

.2 flash at a rate of not less than 50 flashes and not more than 70 flashes per min with an
effective luminous intensity of at least 0.75 cd.

2.3 Immersion suits

2.3.1 General requirements for immersion suits

2.3.1.1 The immersion suit shall be constructed with waterproof materials such that:

.1 it can be unpacked and donned without assistance within 2 min, taking into account any
associated clothing*, and a lifejacket if the immersion suit is to be worn in conjunction

*
Refer to paragraph 3.1.3 of the Recommendation on Testing of Life-saving Appliances
Page 10

with a lifejacket;

.2 it will not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a
period of 2 s;

.3 it will cover the whole body with the exception of the face. Hands shall also be covered
unless permanently attached gloves are provided;

.4 it is provided with arrangements to minimize or reduce free air in the legs of the suit; and

adopted by the Organization by resolution A.689(17), as it may be amended.