SIST EN 4862:2023
(Main)Aerospace series - Rotorcraft constant wear lifejackets - Requirements, testing and marking
Aerospace series - Rotorcraft constant wear lifejackets - Requirements, testing and marking
This document specifies requirements for constant wear lifejackets for use by helicopter crew members and passengers in the event of a ditching or water impact, to ensure minimum levels of performance. It only applies to constant wear lifejackets for use by adults and that are intended to be manually inflated after leaving the helicopter.
Helicopter constant wear lifejackets are designed to be worn with or without a helicopter immersion suit and/or emergency breathing system.
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Drehflüglerrettungswesten zum ständigen Tragen - Anforderungen, Prüfung und Kennzeichnung
Série aérospatiale - Gilets de sauvetage de port permanent de giravion - Exigences, essais et marquage
Le présent document spécifie les exigences relatives aux gilets de sauvetage de port constant destinés à être utilisés par les membres d'équipage et par les passagers des hélicoptères en cas d'amerrissage forcé ou d'impact avec un plan d'eau, afin de garantir des niveaux minimaux de performance. Il s'applique uniquement aux gilets de sauvetage de port constant destinés à être utilisés par des adultes et conçus pour être gonflés manuellement à la sortie de l'hélicoptère.
Les gilets de sauvetage de port constant pour hélicoptères sont conçus pour être portés avec ou sans combinaison de protection thermique en cas d'immersion d'hélicoptère et/ou système de ventilation d'urgence.
Aeronavtika - Stalno nošeni rešilni jopiči v rotoplanih - Zahteve, preskušanje in označevanje
Ta dokument določa zahteve za stalno nošene reševalne jopiče, ki jih uporabljajo helikopterske posadke in potniki v primeru pristanka v sili ali vdora vode, da se zagotovi minimalna raven zahtevanih lastnosti. Uporablja se samo za stalno nošene reševalne jopiče za odrasle, ki jih je treba ročno napihniti, ko oseba zapusti helikopter.
Stalno nošeni rešilni jopiči v helikopterjih so zasnovani za uporabo s potopno obleko ali brez nje in/ali sistemom prezračevanja v sili.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 4862:2023
01-julij-2023
Aeronavtika - Stalno nošeni rešilni jopiči v rotoplanih - Zahteve, preskušanje in
označevanje
Aerospace series - Rotorcraft constant wear lifejackets - Requirements, testing and
marking
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Drehflüglerrettungswesten zum ständigen Tragen -
Anforderungen, Prüfung und Kennzeichnung
Série aérospatiale - Gilets de sauvetage de port permanent de giravion - Exigences,
essais et marquage
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 4862:2023
ICS:
13.340.10 Varovalna obleka Protective clothing
49.020 Letala in vesoljska vozila na Aircraft and space vehicles in
splošno general
SIST EN 4862:2023 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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SIST EN 4862:2023
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 13.340.10
English Version
Aerospace series - Rotorcraft constant wear lifejackets -
Requirements, testing and marking
Série aérospatiale - Gilets de sauvetage de port Luft- und Raumfahrt - Drehflüglerrettungswesten zum
permanent de giravion - Exigences, essais et marquage ständigen Tragen - Anforderungen, Prüfung und
Kennzeichnung
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 August 2022.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 4862:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862:2023 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Description . 11
5 Requirements . 12
5.1 General. 12
5.2 Design . 12
5.3 Materials and components . 12
5.3.1 Metallic components . 12
5.3.2 Sewing thread . 12
5.3.3 Fabric . 13
5.3.4 Structural webbing and tie tapes . 15
5.3.5 Structural lacing . 15
5.3.6 Structural zippers . 15
5.3.7 Hardware . 15
5.3.8 Inflation system components . 15
5.3.9 Inflation chamber materials . 15
5.3.10 Overpressure relief valve . 15
5.3.11 Gas cylinders . 15
5.4 Accessories . 15
5.4.1 General. 15
5.4.2 Sprayhood . 16
5.4.3 Survivor locator light . 17
5.4.4 Whistle . 17
5.4.5 Lifting loop . 17
5.4.6 Buddy line . 18
5.4.7 EBS . 18
5.4.8 Other optional accessories . 18
5.5 Physical performance of device . 19
5.5.1 Resistance to temperature variation . 19
5.5.2 Wear and tear . 19
5.5.3 Inflation . 19
5.5.4 Strength . 20
5.5.5 Buoyancy . 20
5.5.6 Overpressure . 20
5.5.7 Flammability . 21
5.5.8 Resistance to fuel . 21
5.5.9 Torque. 21
5.6 Conspicuity . 21
5.6.1 General. 21
5.6.2 Retroreflective material . 21
5.7 Ergonomic performance . 22
5.7.1 Donning and fit . 22
2
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EN 4862:2023 (E)
5.7.2 Ride-up . 22
5.7.3 Helicopter escape . 22
5.7.4 Jump into water . 22
5.7.5 Flotation angles and freeboard . 22
5.7.6 Self-righting . 23
5.7.7 In-water stability . 23
5.7.8 Field of vision . 23
5.7.9 Freedom of movement and use of accessories . 23
5.7.10 Life raft boarding . 23
5.7.11 Rescue and recovery . 24
5.8 Compatibility . 24
5.8.1 General . 24
5.8.2 Performance of equipment combination(s) . 24
6 Testing . 27
6.1 Visual inspection . 27
6.2 Nominal values and tolerances . 27
6.3 Order of testing . 27
6.4 Magnetic properties testing . 27
6.5 Temperature cycling . 27
6.6 Wear and tear . 28
6.7 Retroreflective material application . 30
6.8 Inflation . 30
6.9 Strength tests . 32
6.9.1 Horizontal and vertical load . 32
6.9.2 Lifting loop test . 36
6.9.3 Buddy line . 36
6.9.4 Strength test of attachment points . 37
6.10 Buoyancy of device . 37
6.11 Overpressure test . 38
6.12 Flammability . 39
6.13 Resistance to fuel . 40
6.14 Sprayhood gas exchange test . 41
6.15 Torque test . 41
6.16 Ergonomic performance . 43
6.16.1 General . 43
6.16.2 Test subjects . 44
6.16.3 Donning and fit . 46
6.16.4 Ride-up assessment . 46
6.16.5 Helicopter underwater escape . 46
6.16.6 Jump into water . 47
6.16.7 Flotation angles . 47
6.16.8 Freeboard . 47
6.16.9 Turning . 48
6.16.10 Self-righting . 48
6.16.11 In-water stability test for lifejackets . 49
6.16.12 Field of vision. 49
6.16.13 Colour . 50
6.16.14 Freedom of movement and use of accessories . 50
6.16.15 Life raft boarding . 51
6.16.16 Rescue and recovery . 51
6.16.17 Escape buoyancy . 52
6.17 Compatibility and performance of equipment combination(s) . 53
3
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EN 4862:2023 (E)
6.17.1 General. 53
6.17.2 Test subjects . 53
6.17.3 Clothing. 53
6.17.4 Compatibility and immersion suit system performance testing . 53
6.18 Crew equipment compatibility . 54
6.19 Reporting . 55
7 Marking . 55
8 Information supplied by the manufacturer . 56
Bibliography . 58
4
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862:2023 (E)
European foreword
This document (EN 4862:2023) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe — Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this document has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD-STAN, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2023, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2023.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
5
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862:2023 (E)
Introduction
This document prescribes the minimum standards of design and performance for rotorcraft constant
wear lifejackets, used to reduce the risks of drowning following evacuation or escape from a rotorcraft.
Lifejackets are designed to support the user in water, keep the head above the water, protect the
airways from wave splash and provide some stability in the face-up position. Depending upon the
conditions of use a lifejacket may turn the user from a face-down to a face-up position in the water.
Lifejackets are also equipped with items intended to aid in the location of a survivor in the water. These
include a survivor locator light, whistle and retroreflective material.
The document aims to ensure that the equipment user is able to carry out the necessary emergency
procedures whilst being provided with an appropriate level of protection under foreseeable conditions
of use. It aims to ensure that the equipment presents a minimal hazard in relation to escape from the
rotorcraft, and that the equipment has no detrimental effect on the health and safety of the user or on
the performance of other equipment. There is also a need to ensure that the lifejacket does not prevent
or hinder crew members from carrying out all normal operating procedures and allows them to access
all flight controls.
This document is applicable to all rotorcraft. Rotorcraft include helicopters, tilt rotor/wing and
gyroplanes. For the purpose of this document the term helicopter is used generically hereinafter.
6
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862:2023 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for constant wear lifejackets for use by helicopter crew members
and passengers in the event of a ditching or water impact, to ensure minimum levels of performance. It
only applies to constant wear lifejackets for use by adults and that are intended to be manually inflated
after leaving the helicopter.
Helicopter constant wear lifejackets are sometimes designed to be worn with or without a helicopter
immersion suit and/or emergency breathing system.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 4856, Aerospace series — Rotorcraft Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) — Requirements, testing
and marking
EN 4863, Aerospace series — Rotorcraft immersion suits — Requirements, testing and marking
1
EN 4886, Aerospace series — Rotorcraft life raft — Requirements, testing and marking
EN ISO 105-E02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E02: Colour fastness to sea water
(ISO 105-E02)
EN ISO 105-X12, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing
(ISO 105-X12)
EN ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests (ISO 9227)
EN ISO 12401, Small craft — Deck safety harness and safety line — Safety requirements and test methods
(ISO 12401)
EN ISO 12402-7, Personal flotation devices — Part 7: Materials and components — Safety requirements
and test methods (ISO 12402-7)
EN ISO 12402-8, Personal flotation devices — Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
(ISO 12402-8)
ISO 105-A02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
ISO 2768-1, General tolerances — Part 1: Tolerances for linear and angular dimensions without individual
tolerance indications
ASTM D1655-21b, Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
CIE publication No. 15, Colorimetry
DEF STAN 91-091, Turbine Fuel, Kerosine Type, JET A-1; NATO Code: F-35; JSD: AVTUR
EASA, Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Large Aeroplanes, CS-25,
Book 1 — Appendix F
1
Under preparation.
7
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SIST EN 4862:2023
EN 4862:2023 (E)
EASA, ETSO-C85b, Survivor Locator Lights
IATA, Guidance Material (Kerosene Type), NATO Code F-35
IMO, Resolution A.658(16), Use and Fitting of Retro-Reflective Materials on Life-Saving Appliances
IMO, International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, adopted by Resolution MSC.48(66), (as amended)
IMO, Resolution MSC.81(70) (adopted on 11 December 1998) Revised recommendation on testing of life-
saving appliances
MIL-STD-3009, Lighting, Aircraft, Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) Compatible
SAE ARP5825A, Design Requirements and Test Procedures for Dual Mode Exterior Lights
SAE AS4492A, Survivor Locator Lights
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
lifejacket
garment or device which, when correctly worn and used in water will provide the user with buoyancy
positioned to provide protection from drowning and increase the likelihood of survival and rescue
3.2
helicopter constant wear lifejacket
lifejacket worn on the body throughout a helicopter flight, provided to protect the user in the event of a
ditching or water impact
3.3
buoyancy chamber
inflatable component of a lifejacket or integrated immersion suit
3.4
immersion suit
garment designed to protect the user’s body from the cooling effects of unintended immersion in water
Note 1 to entry: Cooling effects include cold shock and hypothermia.
Note 2 to entry: An immersion suit may be integrated or worn with a separate constant wear lifejacket.
3.5
integrated immersion suit
immersion suit that incorporates the functionality of a lifejacket
3.6
buoyancy element
inflatable chamber incorporated into an integrated immersion suit that, when inflated, provides the suit
with the functionality of a lifejacket
8
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EN 4862:2023 (E)
3.7
helicopter immersion suit
immersion suit worn on the body throughout a helicopter flight, provided to protect the user in the
event of a ditching or water impact
3.8
immersion suit system
helicopter immersion suit (with or without thermal insulation) and its components and accessories
including either a constant wear lifejacket or buoyancy element and/or emergency breathing system, as
applicable
3.9
hood
covering for the head and neck with an opening for the face, worn for protection against cold
3.10
glove
covering for the hand which may have separate parts for each finger and the thumb, worn for
protection against cold
3.11
emergency breathing system
EBS
system that allows a person to breathe underwater, overcoming the need to breath-hold for the
complete duration of an underwater escape from a helicopter, that can be deployed under emergency
conditions
3.12
rotorcraft
heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or
more rotors
3.13
helicopter
rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion, depends principally on its engine-driven rotors
3.14
ditching
controlled emergency landing on water, deliberately executed in accordance with Rotorcraft Flight
Manual procedures, with the intent of abandoning the rotorcraft as soon as practical
3.1
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 4862:2021
01-julij-2021
Rotoplani - Stalno nošeni rešilni jopiči - Zahteve, preskušanje in označevanje
Rotorcraft - Constant Wear Lifejackets - Requirements, testing and marking
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 4862
ICS:
13.340.10 Varovalna obleka Protective clothing
oSIST prEN 4862:2021 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 4862
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2021
ICS 13.340.10
English Version
Rotorcraft - Constant Wear Lifejackets - Requirements,
testing and marking
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee ASD-
STAN.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 4862:2021 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
prEN 4862:2021 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Description . 11
5 Requirements . 12
5.1 General. 12
5.2 Design . 12
5.3 Materials and components . 12
5.3.1 Metallic components . 12
5.3.2 Sewing thread . 12
5.3.3 Fabric . 13
5.3.4 Structural webbing and tie tapes . 14
5.3.5 Structural lacing . 15
5.3.6 Structural zippers . 15
5.3.7 Hardware . 15
5.3.8 Inflation system components . 15
5.3.9 Inflation chamber materials . 15
5.3.10 Overpressure relief valve . 15
5.3.11 Gas cylinders . 15
5.4 Accessories . 15
5.4.1 General. 15
5.4.2 Sprayhood . 16
5.4.3 Survivor locator light . 17
5.4.4 Whistle . 17
5.4.5 Lifting loop . 17
5.4.6 Buddy line . 18
5.4.7 EBS . 18
5.4.8 Other optional accessories . 18
5.5 Physical performance of device . 19
5.5.1 Resistance to temperature variation . 19
5.5.2 Wear and tear . 19
5.5.3 Inflation . 19
5.5.4 Strength . 20
5.5.5 Buoyancy . 20
5.5.6 Overpressure . 20
5.5.7 Flammability . 20
5.5.8 Resistance to fuel . 21
5.5.9 Torque. 21
5.6 Conspicuity . 21
5.6.1 General. 21
5.6.2 Retroreflective material . 21
2
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prEN 4862:2021 (E)
5.7 Ergonomic performance . 22
5.7.1 Donning and fit . 22
5.7.2 Ride-up . 22
5.7.3 Helicopter escape . 22
5.7.4 Jump into water . 22
5.7.5 Flotation angles and freeboard . 22
5.7.6 Self-righting . 23
5.7.7 In-water stability . 23
5.7.8 Field of vision . 23
5.7.9 Freedom of movement and use of accessories . 23
5.7.10 Life raft boarding . 23
5.7.11 Rescue and recovery . 23
5.8 Compatibility . 23
5.8.1 General . 23
5.8.2 Combined lifejacket, EBS and/or immersion suit ergonomic performance . 24
6 Testing . 26
6.1 Visual inspection . 26
6.2 Nominal values and tolerances . 26
6.3 Order of testing . 27
6.4 Magnetic properties testing . 27
6.5 Temperature cycling . 27
6.6 Wear and tear . 27
6.7 Retroreflective material application . 29
6.8 Inflation . 29
6.9 Strength tests . 30
6.9.1 Horizontal and vertical load . 30
6.9.2 Lifting loop test . 34
6.9.3 Buddy line . 35
6.9.4 Strength test of attachment points . 36
6.10 Buoyancy of device . 36
6.11 Overpressure test . 37
6.12 Flammability . 37
6.13 Resistance to fuel . 38
6.14 Sprayhood gas exchange test . 39
6.15 Torque test . 39
6.16 Ergonomic performance . 42
6.16.1 General . 42
6.16.2 Test subjects . 43
6.16.3 Donning and fit . 44
6.16.4 Ride-up assessment . 44
6.16.5 Helicopter underwater escape . 45
6.16.6 Jump into water . 45
6.16.7 Flotation angles . 46
6.16.8 Freeboard . 46
6.16.9 Turning . 47
6.16.10 Self-righting . 47
6.16.11 In-water stability test for lifejackets . 47
6.16.12 Field of vision. 48
6.16.13 Freedom of movement and use of accessories . 48
6.16.14 Colour . 49
6.16.15 Life raft boarding . 49
6.16.16 Rescue and recovery . 50
3
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
prEN 4862:2021 (E)
6.16.17 Escape buoyancy . 50
6.17 Lifejacket, immersion suit and EBS compatibility . 50
6.17.1 General. 50
6.17.2 Test subjects . 51
6.17.3 Clothing. 51
6.17.4 Compatibility testing . 51
6.18 Crew equipment compatibility . 51
6.19 Reporting . 53
7 Marking . 53
8 Information supplied by the manufacturer . 54
Bibliography . 55
4
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
prEN 4862:2021 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 4862:2021) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe – Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD-STAN, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
5
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
prEN 4862:2021 (E)
Introduction
This technical document prescribes the minimum standards of design and performance for rotorcraft
constant wear lifejackets, used to reduce the risks of drowning following evacuation or escape from a
rotorcraft. Lifejackets are designed to support the user in water, keep the head above the water, protect
the airways from wave splash and provide some stability in the face-up position. Depending upon the
conditions of use a lifejacket may turn the user from a face-down to a face-up position in the water.
Lifejackets are also equipped with items intended to aid in the location of a survivor in the water. These
include a survivor locator light, whistle and retroreflective material.
The technical document aims to ensure that the equipment user is able to carry out the necessary
emergency procedures whilst being provided with an appropriate level of protection under foreseeable
conditions of use. It aims to ensure that the equipment presents a minimal hazard in relation to escape
from the rotorcraft, and that the equipment has no detrimental effect on the health and safety of the
user or on the performance of other equipment. There is also a need to ensure that the lifejacket does
not prevent or hinder crew members from carrying out all normal operating procedures and allows
them to access all flight controls.
This document is applicable to all rotorcraft. Rotorcraft include helicopters, tilt rotor/wing and
gyroplanes. For the purpose of this document the term helicopter is used generically hereinafter.
6
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oSIST prEN 4862:2021
prEN 4862:2021 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for constant wear lifejackets for use by helicopter crew members
and passengers in the event of a ditching or water impact, to ensure minimum levels of performance. It
only applies to constant wear lifejackets for use by adults and that are intended to be manually inflated
after leaving the helicopter.
Helicopter constant wear lifejackets are sometimes designed to be worn with or without a helicopter
immersion suit and/or emergency breathing system.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 4856, Rotorcraft - Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) - Requirements, testing and marking
prEN 4863, Rotorcraft — Immersion Suits — Requirements, testing and marking
prEN 4886, Aerospace series - Rotorcraft - Liferafts for operations in hostile sea areas - Requirements,
testing and marking
EN ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres - Salt spray tests (ISO 9227)
EN ISO 12401, Small craft - Deck safety harness and safety line - Safety requirements and test methods
(ISO 12401)
EN ISO 12402-7, Personal flotation devices - Part 7: Materials and components - Safety requirements and
test methods (ISO 12402-7)
EN ISO 12402-8, Personal flotation devices - Part 8: Accessories - Safety requirements and test methods
(ISO 12402-8)
ISO 105-A02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour
ISO 105-E02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part E02: Colour fastness to sea water
ISO 105-X12, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing
ISO 2768-1, General tolerances — Part 1: Tolerances for linear and angular dimensions without individual
tolerance indications
EASA, Certification Specifications and Acceptable Means of Compliance for Large Aeroplanes, CS-25,
Book 1 – Appendix F
EASA, ETSO-C85b, Survivor Locator Lights
ASTM D1655, Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuels
CIE publication No. 15, Colorimetry
DEF STAN 91-091, Turbine Fuel, Kerosine Type, JET A-1; NATO Code: F-35; JSD: AVTUR
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IATA Guidance Material (Kerosene Type), NATO Code F-35
IMO, Resolution A.658(16), Use and Fitting of Retro-Reflective Materials on Life-Saving Appliances
IMO, International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code, adopted by Resolution MSC.48(66), (as amended)
IMO, Resolution MSC.81(70) (adopted on 11 December 1998) Revised recommendation on testing of life-
saving appliances
MIL-STD-3009, Lighting, aircraft, night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible
SAE ARP5825, Design Requirements and Test Procedures for Dual Mode Exterior Lights
SAE AS4492, Survivor Locator Lights
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
lifejacket
garment or device which, when correctly worn and used in water will provide the user with buoyancy
positioned to provide protection from drowning and increase the likelihood of survival and rescue
3.2
helicopter constant wear lifejacket
lifejacket worn on the body throughout a helicopter flight, provided to protect the user in the event of a
ditching or water impact
3.3
buoyancy chamber
inflatable component of a lifejacket or integrated immersion suit
3.4
immersion suit
garment designed to protect the user’s body from the cooling effects of unintended immersion in water
Note 1 to entry: Cooling effects include cold shock and hypothermia.
Note 2 to entry: An immersion suit may be integrated or worn with a separate constant wear lifejacket.
3.5
integrated immersion suit
immersion suit that incorporates the functionality of a lifejacket
3.6
inflatable element
buoyancy chamber incorporated into an integrated immersion suit that, when inflated, provides the suit
with the functionality of a lifejacket
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3.7
helicopter immersion suit
immersion suit worn on the body throughout a helicopter flight, provided to protect the user in the
event of a ditching or water impact
3.8
suit system
helicopter immersion suit (with or without thermal liner) and its components and accessories including
either a constant wear lifejacket or inflatable element and/or emergency breathing system, as
applicable
3.9
hood
covering for the head and neck with an opening for the face, worn for protection against cold
3.10
glove
covering for the hand which may have separate parts for each finger and the thumb, worn for
protection against cold
3.11
emergency breathing system
EBS
system that allows a person to breathe underwater, overcoming the need to breath-hold for the
complete duration of an underwater escape from a helicopter, that can be deployed under emergency
conditions
3.12
rotorcraft
heavier-than-air aircraft that depends principally for its support in flight on the lift generated by one or
more rotors
3.13
helicopter
rotorcraft that, for its horizontal motion, depends principally on its engine-driven rotors
3.14
ditching
controlled emergency landing on water, deliberately executed in accordance with Rotorcraft Flight
Manual procedures, with the intent of abandoning the rotorcraft as soon as practical
3.15
water impact
helicopter contact with water that is unintentional or exceeds the ditching capability of the helicopter
for water entry
3.16
crew member
person assigned by an operator to perform duties on board an aircraft
3.17
hardware
lifejacket components such as structural closures and adjusters and multi-eyelet guides used with
lacing
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3.18
manual inflation system
means of inflation achieved by a person operating a mechanism that actively releases stored gas into
the buoyancy chamber(s)
3.19
fully inflated
inflation achieved by using the manual inflation system (stored gas) with no subsequent deflation
3.20
oral inflation system
means of inflation achieved by a person blowing expired air into the buoyancy chamber(s)
3.21
overpressure relief valve
safety device used to limit the pressure in an inflatable system, to avoid the likelihood of destruction
caused by excessive pressure
3.22
sprayhood
cover that can be brought in front of the face, incorporating an area of transparent material, used to
protect the airways from water and wave splash, intended to increase the likelihood of survival in
rough water conditions
3.23
survivor locator light
device which emits light intended to aid in the location
...
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