Floating leisure articles for use on and in the water - Part 4: Additional specific safety requirements and test methods for Class B devices
1Key Takeaways
This document specifies safety requirements and test methods related to materials, safety, performance and consumer information for classified floating leisure articles for use on and in the water according This document is to be applied with ISO 25649-1 and ISO 25649-2. This document is applicable for Class B floating…
2Expert Interpretation
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the safety requirements and test methods for Class B floating leisure aquatic devices in the ISO 25649-4:2017 standard, covering key technical indicators such as dimensional specifications, static and dynamic stability testing, and residual buoyancy verification. It is applicable to leisure devices that need to be partially immersed in water, such as swim seats and flotation rings.
Core safety requirements for Class B floating devices
According to ISO 25649-4:2017, Class B devices refer to buoyant structures with body openings that require the user to be partially immersed in water for use. Mainly divided into:
| Equipment type | Typical product | User age | Key risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class B1 | Swimming seat, raft with body fixation system | Age 4 years old and above | Body entrapment, rollover |
| Class B2 | Floating ring, open buoyancy device | Age 3 years old and above | Entanglement caused by inappropriate size |
Dimension specifications and test methods
The standard uses human test probes to ensure the safety of the device opening size:
B1 device test requirements
- The torso probe size must conform to the 95th percentile male child data (including a 20% safety margin)
- The thigh probe diameter range is 140-220mm (divided by age group)
- The user weight range and internal dimension code must be marked
Typical case
For swim seats used by children aged 4-5, the standard requires:
- Minimum internal opening dimensions 330×250×500mm
- Thigh opening diameter ≥168mm
Stability test system
The standard establishes a three-level test system to ensure safe use:
| Test type | Load condition | Qualification standard | Applicable equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static stability | 75% body weight load + 25% opening width offset | No rollover and head remains above water | All Class B equipment |
| Dynamic stability | Single air chamber failure state | Retain ≥1 safe floating position | Mandatory requirement for Class B1 |
| Escape test | 120° tilt angle | Completely detach from the device within 5 seconds | B1 device for children |
Technological evolution and implementation recommendations
Main improvements of the standard compared to the earlier version:
- Test load refinement: Introducing a method to calculate the immersion load of 75% of body weight
- Alternative test scheme: Allowing the use of test dummies specified in EN 13138-4
- Residual buoyancy requirements: Stable buoyancy must be maintained even when a single air chamber fails
Key points for manufacturers to implement
- Product labeling must include the safety information symbols specified in ISO 25649-2
- B2 devices must be clearly marked with the warning "User balance required"
- It is recommended to conduct double testing (mechanical + human testing) for products for children aged 4-7 years old.