distress signals
Regulations for distress signals
Approval according to SOLAS 74/88 and MED
The distress signals also require a SOLAS/MED approval, since they also belong to the life-saving appliances according to Chapter III of the international convention SOLAS74/88.
The more precise specifications and test procedures for rescue equipment are defined in the LSA Code (Life-Saving Appliance Code). 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) 1974/1988.
The exact wording of the LSA code can be found under the following link:
The regulation defines the following properties of the three distress signals:
3.1 Parachute flares
3.1.1 The parachute flare must
1. are in a watertight sleeve;
2. Have printed on its case a concise and clear instruction manual or equivalent graphic showing the use of the missile;
3. have a built-in ignition device;
4. Be designed so that, when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it will not interfere with the person holding the case.
3.1.2 The rocket must reach a height of at least 300 meters when launched vertically. At or near the apex of its trajectory, the rocket must eject a parachute flare
1. burns with bright red color;
2. burns evenly with an average luminous intensity of at least 30,000 candelas;
3. has a burn time of at least 40 seconds;
4. Has a falling speed of no more than 5 meters per second;
5. who does not damage his parachute or any attachment while firing.
3.2 Hand Flares
3.2.1 The hand flare must
1. are in a watertight sleeve;
2. Have concise and clear operating instructions or an equivalent graphic representation of the use of the hand flare printed on its casing;
3. have a built-in ignition device;
4. Be designed so that, when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, it will not obstruct the person wearing the pod and will not endanger the survival craft with flaming or incandescent residue.
3.2.2 The hand flare must
1. burning with bright red color;
2. burn evenly with an average luminous intensity of at least 15,000 candelas;
3. have a burn time of at least 1 minute;
4. continue to burn after being immersed in water to a depth of 100 millimeters for 10 seconds.
3.3 Floating Smoke Signals
3.3.1 The buoyant smoke signal
1. must be in a waterproof case;
2. shall not ignite explosively when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions;
3. shall have concise and clear instructions or an equivalent graphic representation of the use of the buoyant smoke signal imprinted on its sleeve.
3.3.2 The buoyant smoke signal
1. Must emit smoke of a highly visible color at a steady rate for at least 3 minutes when floating in still water;
2. must not produce flames throughout the smoke emission;
3. must not go out in rough seas;
4. must continue to emit smoke when immersed in water at a depth of 100 millimeters for 10 seconds.
Distress signals, which also bear the "Steering Wheel" conformity mark, are also approved for the equipment of merchant ships flying a European flag.
Distress signals with SOLAS/MED approval do not necessarily require approval with the CE mark. However, it has proven to be advantageous that the distress signals obtain both the SOLAS/MED approval and the CE approval in order to ensure clear assignment to the relevant storage and transport group if they are stored within the EU.
CE approval
In order to ensure the free movement of pyrotechnic objects in the EU internal market, on May 23, 2007 the EU issued a uniform guideline on the placing on the market of pyrotechnic objects under the designation 2007/23/EU. The EU states have thus been obliged to convert this directive into national law by January 4, 2010 and to apply the corresponding regulations by July 4, 2013 at the latest.
Germany complied with this regulation by incorporating the EU regulations into its national explosives law on October 1, 2009.
The 2007/23/EU directive has been revised by the European Commission due to significant changes in the form of the 2013/29/EU directive, which completely replaces the old directive. As part of this new version, all European states are required to convert the changes into national law by June 30, 2015 at the latest. Corresponding adjustments to the German Explosives Act and its ordinances have been made.
All pyrotechnic objects, as well as the sea rescue signals (with the exception of SOLAS signals for commercial shipping), therefore require approval from one of the so-called Notified Bodies named in Europe and will in future receive the CE mark as proof of conformity. Along with the CE mark, each product also receives a classification of the associated storage and transport group.