Boatbuilder's Handbook

Table of Contents:

Flotation

Flotation Material Tests

FEDERAL LAW

183.114 Test of flotation materials.

(a) Vapor test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed in a fully saturated gasoline vapor atmosphere for 30 days at a minimum temperature of 38 deg. C.

(b) 24-hour gasoline test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in reference fuel B, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 183.5).

(c) 30-day gasoline test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in reference fuel B, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 183.5).

(d) 24-hour oil test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in reference oil No. 2, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 183.5).

(e) 30-day oil test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in reference oil No. 2, of ASTM D 471 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 183.5).

(f) 24-hour bilge cleaner test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 24 hours at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in a 5-percent solution of trisodium phosphate in water.

(g) 30-day bilge cleaner test. The flotation material must not reduce in buoyant force more than 5 percent after being immersed for 30 days at 23 plus or minus 2 deg.C in a 5-percent solution of trisodium phosphate in water.

(h) The buoyant force reduction in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this section is measured in accordance with ASTM D 2842 (incorporated by reference, see Sec. 183.5).

Table 183.114 - Flotation Performance Tests

NOTES:

The change in volume and buoyancy is measured in accordance with ASTM D-2842. The maxi mum size of a test sample shall be 6” x 6” x 3” and cut by the same method used to shape it for use in the boat.
Flotation material does not have to be gasoline, oil, gasoline vapor or trisodium solution-resistant if:

a. Used in manually propelled boats;

b. Installed outside the engine compartment more than 4 inches above the lowest point where liquid can collect when the boat is in its static floating position; or

c. Enclosed or encased in an enclosure that permits no more than one-quarter ounce of fresh water per hour to enter when the enclosure is submerged to a depth of 12 inches.

Cellular plastic used to encase fuel tanks is allowed to count as a flotation material, but it must conform to the following applicable conditions (33 CFR 183.516 of the USCG Fuels Systems regulations):
For the purposes of these tests, ASTM oils and ASTM fuels, and a trisodium phosphate solution have been selected which approximate typical marine products with which flotation material may come in contact in actual service.
ASTM reference fuel B provides typical swelling effects produced by commercial gasolines, and ASTM No. 2 reference oil has been chosen since it characterizes the nearest aniline point of a petroleum- based oil used in marine service. The aniline point of petroleum oil determines the swelling action of the oil. Reference fuel B consists of 70% Isooctane and 30% Toluene, in volume (Isooctane conforming to Section Annex A2.8, Motor Fuels Section of 1973-74 ASTM Manual for Rating Motor, Diesel and Aviation Fuels; Toluene conforming to ASTM D-362 for Industrial Grade Toluene).
For a full explanation of the test fuels, refer to ASTM D-471.

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