Regulations last checked for updates: May 02, 2025

Title 46 - Shipping last revised: Mar 17, 2025
§ 164.013-3 - Material properties and workmanship.

(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).

authority: 46 U.S.C. 3306,3703,4302; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4
cite as: 46 CFR 164.013-3