Auto Lifejackets firing cartridges dates

[davidpbo]

I inspected my lifejackets 2 have black firing cartridges with replace by dates on, one a year out of date and one 3 years out of date, I don't recall checking the dates before which is an omission on my part. Those will be replaced soon. Gas cylinder weights are fine.

The third is different type which has an yellow ring with a powder in it. I can't recall whether it is the yellow ring or the rest of the bottom of the firing mechanism which gets replaced if it is triggered automatically. Either way the yellow ring is dated 06, it doesn't say whether it is replace date or manufactured date.
Anyone know?

I am fairly certain this jacket got triggered last year or maybe the year before when it got soaked in the bottom of the dinghy so would have been re-armed I think.

The jackets are old (2000ish is the manufactured date) but in good condition, 2 used very regularly but primarily on inland lake (little salt water exposure) and stored at home when not in use. They hold their air for 12 hours (That's how long I left them inflated). Should I replace them just because their age? They don't seem to be UV degraded to any extent.

 

[bitbaltic]

Either way the yellow ring is dated 06, it doesn't say whether it is replace date or manufactured date.
Anyone know?

It would be useful to know what make these jackets are. My Secumar 180s have a salt pill in a cage (4001s mechanism). There is only one date printed on the outside of the cage, which is the expiry date. The dates are (I think) good for 12 months so whether your 06 is either manufacture or expiry it will be well out of date. It is also a bit worrying that it is a 'powder' not a solid pill, but without knowing the type of jacket perhaps that's what it's supposed to be.

If you think it was triggered but are not sure if it has been re-armed I think I would fire it on one of your expired cartrideges, or attempt to do so, and then replace the cartridge and re-arm the jacket.

I wouldn't replace an airtight jacket with up to date, good condition mechanics just because it is old. Do the manufacturers give a replacement age? Secumar say theirs should be replaced at 10 years old, but I service mine anually and they are still like new so won't be.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Lifejackets should be replaced at 10 years. Doesn't matter how well you look after them, materials degrade.

 

[bitbaltic]

Lifejackets should be replaced at 10 years. Doesn't matter how well you look after them, materials degrade.

But the rate at which things degrade does have something to do with how well you look after them. If materials degraded at the same inevitable rate whatever you did, museum conservation departments would not exist, the National Trust would open upthe bloomin' curtains in every stately home, etc etc.

So the question is- is the 10 year lifespan the manufacturer's estimate for the minimum lifetime (perhaps erring a bit on the side of caution?) for a LJ living its life on the deck of a fishing boat and worn daily, perhaps triggered and re-armed half a dozen times, doused in salt and sun and wind and rain and maybe immersed a few times in its life, or a maximumlifespan for a jacket worn a dozen times a year- adding up to maybe 80, 120 hours- in fair weather, and stored clean, dry and in the dark for all the other hours of its life?

 

[duncan99210]

If the lifejackets stay inflated for 12+ hours, then they're OK to use in my book......

There are two main makers of inflation devices, United Moulders Ltd (UML) and Hankly Roberts (HR). UML triggers are the black bobbins referred to by the OP whilst HR are the yellow rings. UML expiry dates are as marked on the bobbin whilst HR marks the date of manufacture with a life span of four years. Lifejacket manufacturers for the most part use on or other of these inflators: the exceptions are those jackets fitted with the Hammar system and jackets made by Lalizas who use their own inflators. Replacement triggers are easily available from chandlers or on line.

 

[[70521]]

Lifejackets should be replaced at 10 years. Doesn't matter how well you look after them, materials degrade.

When I first started doing stuff on the water, about 45 years ago, we used old WWII life jackets and they still worked!

 

[PaulRainbow]

If the lifejackets stay inflated for 12+ hours, then they're OK to use in my book......

There are two main makers of inflation devices, United Moulders Ltd (UML) and Hankly Roberts (HR). UML triggers are the black bobbins referred to by the OP whilst HR are the yellow rings. UML expiry dates are as marked on the bobbin whilst HR marks the date of manufacture with a life span of four years. Lifejacket manufacturers for the most part use on or other of these inflators: the exceptions are those jackets fitted with the Hammar system and jackets made by Lalizas who use their own inflators. Replacement triggers are easily available from chandlers or on line.

Secumar also use their own systems.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If the lifejackets stay inflated for 12+ hours, then they're OK to use in my book......

So you'd be happy to use a 25 year old lifejacket, provided it stayed inflated for 12 hours, presumably blown up by mouth or the dinghy pump. Do you think the forces imposed upon the lifejacket would be the same when it hits the water and auto inflates ? How long would you anticipate the lifespan of the welds would be ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

When I first started doing stuff on the water, about 45 years ago, we used old WWII life jackets and they still worked!

I dare say they'd still work today, but they are an entirely different beast to a modern, inflatable jacket, cheap ones likely made in China.

They don't make 'em like they used to

 

[davidpbo]

It would be useful to know what make these jackets are. My Secumar 180s have a salt pill in a cage (4001s mechanism). There is only one date printed on the outside of the cage, which is the expiry date. The dates are (I think) good for 12 months so whether your 06 is either manufacture or expiry it will be well out of date. It is also a bit worrying that it is a 'powder' not a solid pill, but without knowing the type of jacket perhaps that's what it's supposed to be.

If you think it was triggered but are not sure if it has been re-armed I think I would fire it on one of your expired cartridges, or attempt to do so, and then replace the cartridge and re-arm the jacket.

I wouldn't replace an airtight jacket with up to date, good condition mechanics just because it is old. Do the manufacturers give a replacement age? Secumar say theirs should be replaced at 10 years old, but I service mine anually and they are still like new so won't be.

It is compressed powder/pill. If it was fired it was re-armed with a newly bought kit which is why, given it was last year or the year before I am surprised at the dates on the cartridges as they are all out of date. Unfortunately I am not completely sure which jacket was triggered. Maybe something to keep a note of in future.

Lifejackets should be replaced at 10 years. Doesn't matter how well you look after them, materials degrade.

I accept that but they can be closely inspected. We are North West UK, exposure to sun whilst a problem for me sometimes is not that great.

When I first started doing stuff on the water, about 45 years ago, we used old WWII life jackets and they still worked!

Not quite the same type I suspect.

So you'd be happy to use a 25 year old lifejacket, provided it stayed inflated for 12 hours, presumably blown up by mouth or the dinghy pump. Do you think the forces imposed upon the lifejacket would be the same when it hits the water and auto inflates ? How long would you anticipate the lifespan of the welds would be ?

That is a fair comment.

 

[ex-Gladys]

In the motorcycling world there's an expression "if you've got a £25 head, buy a £25 helmet" which was bought to mind by this thread...

 

[DannyB]

If the lifejackets stay inflated for 12+ hours, then they're OK to use in my book......

There are two main makers of inflation devices, United Moulders Ltd (UML) and Hankly Roberts (HR). UML triggers are the black bobbins referred to by the OP whilst HR are the yellow rings. UML expiry dates are as marked on the bobbin whilst HR marks the date of manufacture with a life span of four years. Lifejacket manufacturers for the most part use on or other of these inflators: the exceptions are those jackets fitted with the Hammar system and jackets made by Lalizas who use their own inflators. Replacement triggers are easily available from chandlers or on line.

My jackets use the HR yellow salt bobbin with a manufactured date, and I've just replaced four of them because they were four years old. I found myself wondering why I was doing it, if the bobbin degrades it will fire the lifejacket, salt isn't going to become insoluble just because it's old salt. The only time I've had a jacket inflate was when I dropped one on the deck, and I think the impact set it off.

 

[duncan99210]

So you'd be happy to use a 25 year old lifejacket, provided it stayed inflated for 12 hours, presumably blown up by mouth or the dinghy pump. Do you think the forces imposed upon the lifejacket would be the same when it hits the water and auto inflates ? How long would you anticipate the lifespan of the welds would be ?

I've reviewed the literature on the topic and can find nothing to back up your claim on a ten year life expectancy for lifejackets. If there is something out there that give this as a hard and fast rule, then perhaps you could give us a link? I've tested many lifejackets over the years and have had a fair number fail the inflation test. In almost all cases, it is down to wear in the areas where the folds in the bladder are and not weld failures.

 

[Strikeliner]

There is no maximum life expectancy for life jackets at least among the major manufacturers. Secumar may claim this but they are in the minority.
The compound in Halkey Roberts Bobbins is not salt, it's a pharmaceutical cellulose, or paper to you and me. Whilst having a 5 year shelf life they should be replaced annually when in use as recommended by manufacturers.

 

[Heckler]

I've reviewed the literature on the topic and can find nothing to back up your claim on a ten year life expectancy for lifejackets. If there is something out there that give this as a hard and fast rule, then perhaps you could give us a link? I've tested many lifejackets over the years and have had a fair number fail the inflation test. In almost all cases, it is down to wear in the areas where the folds in the bladder are and not weld failures.

Always irritates me when someone makes a statement because thay think they know best! I agree with you! I weigh the cylinders, change the firers, blow them up and leave to check for leaks. Inspect for degradation of the material and that is it!
Stu

 

[PaulRainbow]

I've reviewed the literature on the topic and can find nothing to back up your claim on a ten year life expectancy for lifejackets. If there is something out there that give this as a hard and fast rule, then perhaps you could give us a link? I've tested many lifejackets over the years and have had a fair number fail the inflation test. In almost all cases, it is down to wear in the areas where the folds in the bladder are and not weld failures.

It isn't my claim and it isn't a rule.

Secumar say 10 years.

Seasafe won't issue a service certificate if it's over 10 years od.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?339574-life-span-for-lifejackets

I doubt anyone would argue that a lifejacket will not last forever. So, the question is, when do you decide that yours has had it's day ? It might look fine, but is it really good enough to give to one of your loved ones ?

I just purchased a Kru Professional, auto inflate, built in harness, spray hood, crotch straps etc, cost £100. If i throw it away after 10 years that's just a tenner a year.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Always irritates me when someone makes a statement because thay think they know best! I agree with you! I weigh the cylinders, change the firers, blow them up and leave to check for leaks. Inspect for degradation of the material and that is it!
Stu

Lots of things irritate me, like people who make statements like "someone makes a statement because thay think they know best!"

I posted what the manufacturer of one of my lifejackets state, amongst others, nothing to do with me thinking i know best.

What qualifies you to "Inspect for degradation of the material" ? Perhaps you can do that because you know best ?

 

[Heckler]

It isn't my claim and it isn't a rule.

Secumar say 10 years.

Seasafe won't issue a service certificate if it's over 10 years od.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?339574-life-span-for-lifejackets

I doubt anyone would argue that a lifejacket will not last forever. So, the question is, when do you decide that yours has had it's day ? It might look fine, but is it really good enough to give to one of your loved ones ?

I just purchased a Kru Professional, auto inflate, built in harness, spray hood, crotch straps etc, cost £100. If i throw it away after 10 years that's just a tenner a year.

I have enough confidence in my maintenance skills to be able to check a simple bit of kit like a lifejacket with the confidence that my loved ones lives can depend on them after I have checked them.
Stu