Why do we recommend replacing a lifebuoy after 5 years?
- Bert Smet
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
A lifebuoy is one of the simplest yet most critical life-saving devices available. When a person falls into the water, the lifebuoy must be immediately accessible and perform exactly as designed. There can be no uncertainty regarding buoyancy, visibility, or structural integrity.
We are often asked why a lifebuoy that still appears to be in good condition should be replaced after approximately five years. The answer lies not only in the visible condition of the outer shell, but more importantly in the material properties of the lifebuoy itself and the performance requirements defined by international SOLAS standards.
A Lifebuoy must maintain performance throughout its service life
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) establishes clear performance requirements for lifebuoys. A standard 30-inch lifebuoy, weighing at least 2.5 kg, must be capable of supporting 14.5 kg of iron in fresh water for 24 hours without losing its buoyancy.
This means that a lifebuoy must do far more than simply float. It must provide sufficient buoyant force to effectively support a person in distress while maintaining an adequate safety margin. These performance standards must be met not only when the product is new, but throughout its entire operational life.
The secret lies in the foam core
Modern SOLAS-compliant lifebuoys consist of a durable outer shell and a closed-cell foam core. This foam contains millions of microscopic air cells that provide permanent buoyancy. Unlike inflatable devices, the buoyancy does not depend on air chambers that could deflate over time.
This closed-cell foam structure is the heart of the lifebuoy. The condition of the foam core ultimately determines how much buoyant force remains available when the device is needed in a real emergency.
Ageing Begins on Day One
Even if a lifebuoy is never used, it is continuously exposed to:
UV radiation from sunlight
Temperature fluctuations
Saltwater and marine environments
Impacts during handling
These environmental factors gradually affect both the outer shell and the internal foam structure. Over time, the cell walls within the foam can lose some of their original resilience, causing the structure to become less uniform. While this process may not be visible externally, it can influence the long-term performance of the lifebuoy.
The risk of moisture ingress
A closed-cell foam core naturally absorbs very little water. However, problems can arise when the protective outer shell becomes damaged through impact, vandalism, accidental drops, or long-term weather exposure.
Even minor damage, often invisible during a routine visual inspection, can allow moisture to penetrate certain sections of the foam structure. As the weight of the lifebuoy increases, the available net buoyant force decreases.
The challenge is that this deterioration often occurs gradually and internally. A lifebuoy may still appear to be in excellent condition while part of its original buoyancy reserve has already been reduced.
A Lifebuoy Must Do More Than Meet the Minimum Requirement
SOLAS-approved lifebuoys are not designed to achieve exactly the minimum requirement of supporting 14.5 kg. Manufacturers intentionally build in a safety margin to ensure the product continues to meet its performance requirements throughout its service life.
The difficulty comes after years of exposure to UV radiation, moisture, salt, and temperature cycling. Without laboratory testing, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine how much of the original buoyancy reserve remains available.
In other words, a lifebuoy may still float, but confidence that it will perform exactly as originally certified gradually decreases with age.
Why does General Floating Equipment recommend replacement after 5 Years?
From both a technical and safety management perspective, preventive replacement is often the most responsible approach.
After five years of outdoor exposure:
The outer shell and colour pigments have been subjected to significant UV degradation.
Reflective tapes may have lost part of their effectiveness.
Grab lines and attachment points may have experienced material ageing.
The foam core has been exposed to years of thermal stress.
Minor damage may have had sufficient time to develop into moisture ingress issues.
This does not mean that every lifebuoy becomes unusable after exactly five years. Rather, it means that certainty regarding its original performance gradually diminishes over time.
Safety Comes First
A lifebuoy may never be used during its entire service life. However, when it is needed, someone's life may depend on it.
For that reason, General Floating Equipment recommends regular inspections and preventive replacement after approximately five years of outdoor service. This helps ensure that buoyancy, visibility, and structural integrity remain at the highest possible level.
A lifebuoy only has one job: to perform perfectly when it matters most.
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