(a) This subpart contains performance requirements, acceptance tests, and production testing and inspection requirements for polyethylene foam used in the construction of personal flotation devices (PFDs) approved under part 160 of this subchapter. Manufacturers shall also comply with the requirements of subpart 164.019 of this chapter.

(b) All polyethylene foams accepted under this subpart are non-standard components. Acceptance of polyethylene foam prior to being incorporated into finished PFDs, or during the course of manufacture, shall in no case be construed as a guarantee of the acceptance of the finished PFD.

(a) Certain materials are incorporated by reference into this subpart with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than the one listed in paragraph (b) of this section, notice of change must be published in the Federal Register and the material made available to the public. All approved material incorporated by reference may be inspected at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and at the Coast Guard Headquarters. Contact Commandant (CG-ENG-4), Attn: Lifesaving and Fire Safety Division, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7509. The material is also available from the source indicated in paragraph (b) of this section. For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

(b) The materials approved for incorporation by reference in this subpart, and the sections affected are as follows:

1(c) Copies on file. Copies of the specifications and letter of acceptance shall be kept on file by the manufacturer.

(a) General. The unicellular polyethylene foam shall be all new material complying with the requirements outlined in this specification. Unicellular polyethylene foam must comply with the requirements of UL 1191, sections 24, 25, and 26 and its assigned Use Code. Thickness tolerances of the foam must permit the manufacture of PFDs complying with their required buoyancy tolerances.

(b) Use Codes 4BC, 4H. Each foam which has a C-factor of at least 94 according to UL 1191 may be assigned Use Codes 4BC and 4H.

(c) Use Codes 2, 3, 5R. Each foam which has a V-factor of at least 85 according to UL 1191 may be assigned Use Codes 2, 3, 5R (recreational use applications).

Application samples. A product sample submitted for acceptance as required by § 164.019-7(c)(4) must consist of at least one square foot by the thickness of foam produced.

Manufacturers shall ensure that the performance and identification tests described in UL 1191, as appropriate, are performed on a minimum of five samples in each of the lightest and darkest colors submitted for acceptance by a recognized laboratory accepted under § 164.019.

Manufacturers shall provide in-plant quality control of polyethylene foam in accordance with the requirements of § 164.019-13 and any requirements of the recognized laboratory. The manufacturer of the foam has primary responsibility for quality control over the production of the foam.

(a) General. The manufacturer must ensure that each shipping label, and each unit of put-up, is permanently and clearly marked in a color which contrasts with the color of the surface on which the marking is applied. Each label must be marked with—

(1) The manufacturer's or supplier's name, trade name, or symbol;

(2) The unique style, part, or model number of the material;

(3) The thickness of the material;

(4) The lot number of the material; and

(5) The product Use Code or Codes.

(b) Each unit of put-up must be marked with the appropriate recognized laboratory's certification marking(s).