ISO 15738:2019

Overview

ISO 15738:2019 - Ships and marine technology - Maritime safety - Gas inflation systems for inflatable life‑saving appliances specifies performance and testing requirements for gas inflation systems used to inflate survival craft, marine evacuation systems and other inflatable life‑saving appliances. The second edition (2019) updates the original 2002 standard and is aligned with SOLAS 74 and the IMO International Life‑Saving Appliance (LSA) Code. It applies only to systems using compressed inflation gas in cylinders and covers components such as inflation gas, gas cylinder valves, operating heads, high‑pressure hoses and pressure‑relief/transfer, inflate/deflate and non‑return valves.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 15738:2019 focuses on performance and type‑testing of gas inflation systems. Key technical topics include:

• Component scope: inflation gas selection and quantity, gas cylinder valve, operating head, high‑pressure hose assemblies, and various valves.
• Corrosion and salt water exposure: salt spray/corrosion testing of cylinders in accordance with ISO 9227:2017 (neutral salt spray), e.g., specified exposure of 168 hours at 35 °C ± 2 °C, followed by hydraulic proof testing with no permanent distortion or leakage.
• Pressure and hydraulic tests: relative pressure tests for components and assemblies, hydraulic proof tests and overpressure checks.
• Mechanical and functional tests: torque tests, valve thread strength, plug tests, valve pull tests, drop tests, pulsating load tests and flow/leak tests.
• Environmental and cold‑temperature checks: cold pressure and cold bend tests for hoses and assemblies.
• Final suitability: integrated assessment criteria to determine overall system suitability for life‑saving appliances.
• Exclusions: national regulations for gas cylinder qualification and supply are not covered; personal lifejackets are addressed separately in ISO 12402‑7.

Applications and who uses this standard

ISO 15738:2019 is used by:

• Manufacturers of inflatable life‑saving appliances and gas inflation systems
• Marine equipment test laboratories and certification bodies
• Classification societies and flag state inspectors
• Shipyards, ship operators and procurement teams specifying compliant systems
• Regulatory authorities and maritime safety officers

Practical uses include type‑approval testing, design verification of inflation systems, procurement specifications, and compliance assessment with SOLAS/LSA Code requirements.

Related standards

• SOLAS 1974 (Safety of Life at Sea Convention) and the IMO LSA Code (MSC.48(66))
• ISO 9227:2017 - Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres - Salt spray tests
• ISO 12402‑7 - Personal flotation devices (inflatable lifejackets)
• ISO/TC 8 (Ships and marine technology), SC1 (Maritime safety) - technical committee responsible

Keywords: ISO 15738:2019, gas inflation systems, inflatable life‑saving appliances, marine safety, SOLAS, LSA Code, gas cylinder testing, high‑pressure hoses, ISO 9227.