Component Sub Task GroupUpdate

BackgroundThe formation of the International Harmonization Committee (IHC) was established at the request of the PFD and component manufactures to develop North American standards.

The IHC consists of the following full-time members:a) Sam Wehr (Mustang) – Chair [US and Canada]b) Robin Scott (Sport Dimension) – Secretary [US]c) Brandi Baldwin and Marty Jackson (USCG) – [US]d) Ravi Shankar (Transport Canada) – [Canada]e) Paul Potter (CORD) – [Canada]f) Jack Davis (TLPC) – [US]g) Carlos Fernandez (Grupo Marsan) – [Mexico]h) Chris James (UL and ULC) – [US and Canada]

Due to the expansiveness of components, the IHC decided to form a Sub Task Group to address the US and Canadian components in comparison to ISO 12402-7.

The Formation of the Components Sub Task Group

The components Sub Task Group consist of the following members:a) Chris James (UL and ULC) – Chairb) Marty Jackson (USCG)c) Ravi Shankar (TC)d) Jack Davis (TLPC)e) Carlos Fernandez (Grupo Marsan)

The scope of the Task Group is to harmonize the requirements for components defined within UL1191, Components for Personal Flotation Devices; CGSB 65.19, Textile Components for Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices; CGSB 65.18, Closed-Cell Foam Polymeric Materials, CGSB 65.7, Life Jackets; and CGSB 65.11, Personal Flotation Devices, with ISO 12402-7, Materials and components – Safety requirements and test methods, by means of adoption and/or the creation of US/Canadian National Differences.

A Daunting Task for a Single Task GroupTo address each component appropriately, the Task Group decided to form the following Working Groups:

1) Textile Products (Fabrics, Webbing, Lacing, Thread, Compartment Material, and Fabric Laminated Foam)

2) Hardware (Buckles and Zippers)3) Inflation Systems (Inflators, Overpressure Relief Valves and CO2 cylinders)4) Foam

The responsibilities of the Working Groups are to develop a preliminary draft document for preliminary review by the IHC Sub-Task Group relating to the components within their scope.

The Formation of the Component Working Groups

Textile Products (Fabrics, Webbing, Lacing, Thread, Compartment Material, and Fabric Laminated Foam)

Chris James – UL (Chair)Gabi Shalez – ErezJack Davis – TLPCSusan Ballesterri – M AssociatesJohn Winecoff – American EfirdJim Huang – SheicoRobin Scott – Sport DimensionEdward Conroy - HighlandDenice Durrant – UL

The Formation of the Component Working Groups

Hardware (Buckles and Zippers)

Ravi Shankar – TC (Chair)Steve Keller – ITW NexusRobin Scott – Sport DimensionDavid Salter - UL

The Formation of the Component Working Groups

Inflation Systems (Inflators, Overpressure Relief Valves and CO2 cylinders)

Marty Jackson – USCG (Chair)Henrik Palsson – HammarAlan Van Camp – SaggitariusSteve Rogier/Lyman Fawcett – Halkey RobertsAlan Hilton – ISIMike Cunningham - UL

The Formation of the Component Working Groups

Foam

Jack Davis – TLPC (Chair)Rob Rippy – ColemanSusan Ballisterri – M AssociatesJim Huang – SheicoRobin Scott – Sport DimensionDennis Campbell - IMANNAMike Cunningham - UL

Unification

Unification