Important Quality Announcement
juli 14, 2011 12:00 pm
Please find below important information about the R.INT1 Internal liferaft light.
This information should be distributed to all Service Stations where the R.INT1 Internal liferaft light is used, including Viking, DSB and Zodiac liferafts.
Daniamant R.INT1 Internal liferaft light
Manufacture date: 1st January 2007 – 31st December 2007
Daniamant has discovered a potential quality issue with our internal liferaft light, the R.INT1. This issue is limited to the above specified manufacturing period and the serial numbers listed below:
· ANxx
· BNxx
· CNxx
· DNxx
· ENxx
· FNxx
· GNxx
· HNxx
· INxx
· JNxx
· KNxx
· LNxx
After our internal investigations, we have concluded that a very small percentage of these lights may be affected. However we recommend that all the lights manufactured during this period be replaced.
Whilst the performance of the lights is not a cause for concern, we are now aware that a very small percentage of these internal liferaft lights manufactured before 31st December 2007 might have an insufficient connection between the FET transistor and the battery. Combined with earlier packaging method, this could potentially mean, that the lights may overheat and not have the full five year life required. This cannot be checked during service. Functionality can be checked and this is a good indication, but full life cannot be checked without exhausting the unit completely.
In order to confirm the lights to be replaced, please follow the instructions below:
1. Check liferaft light manufacture date.
2. Determine if the liferaft light has a manufacture date between January 2007 – December 2007 and if the Serial No. is either ANxx, BNxx, CNxx, DNxx, ENxx, FNxx,GNxx, HNxx, INxx, JNxx, KNxx, and LNxx. If “yes”,please segregate the light for disposal (see disposal instructions below).
3. For all R.INT1 produced before December 2007, please ensure that, once segregated, the R.INT1 light has been “turned off”, and that both of the pull toggles are inserted correctly. Do not leave the light on the raft for exhaustion. To avoid accidental operation, the lights should be segregated, but please avoid storing large quantities of lights in the same container, as the magnets in each light can potentially activate other lights in close proximity. With all lithium batteries that are not in situ on a liferaft, or stored in a controlled manner, Daniamant recommends that batteries for disposal be stored externally in containers ready to be transported and disposed of in accordance with appropriate local regulations.
It has been determined that the best course of action is that Daniamant offers you replacement lights, the new Daniamant R.INT2, at a significantly reduced cost. To ensure that you receive the replacement lights as soon as possible – and when needed – please contact Mrs. Betina Petersen, or Arne J. Gillin, to discuss the arrangements.
Disposal/Discharge Instructions for R.INT1 Internal liferaft lights
We have considered the hierarchy of control and despite the low probability of an incident occurring, there is an increased likelihood when the unit is activated and comes to the end of its life. To reduce this risk to the minimum we suggest the unit is fully discharged so there is no risk when the units are then mass stored or transported for disposal.
We therefore suggest that the following precautions are put in place:
• Once the R.INT1 is removed from the liferaft it should not be turned on
• Each service station shall keep a container of water (at least 300mm in depth)
• Ideally this container of water shall be stored externally
• The R.INT1 shall be activated by removing the pull toggle and then (immediately) be submersed in the container of water (*please note that if there is a cell that is affected you may witness a physical reaction as the unit discharges and the vented lithium comes in contact with the water. This could be in the form of a ‘popping’ sound and some fumes could be emitted. Do not remove the light from the water, please leave it for the period detailed below)
• Numerous R.INT1’s can be submerged at the same time, depending on the size of the container (recommended at least 500mm depth)
• The units are designed to operate for 12 hours but there will be excess life in the battery, where it will not output the required candela, but will still function.
• The units shall be left in the water for 28 days
• After the units has been fully discharged they can be collected together for disposal
• It is recommended that batteries and product for disposal should be kept in the appropriate containers with a sealed lid and stored externally.
This strategy is based around creating a benign environment for the unit to discharge. If for any reason there is any kind of failure in the battery then the water will cool the unit as a final precaution to avoid a potential fire risk.
We have to emphasise that this is not normal procedure. Daniamant sell millions of batteries and we have never had a reported incident during disposal in at least the last 5 years. This is an extraordinary set of circumstances and a procedure to avoid any potential incident occurring. The presence of a ‘fuse’ or safety device is present in all current Daniamant products; is an added safety function. The battery failure mode we are discussing is that there has been an inherent problem in the cell itself which will only manifest itself at the end of its life. To date this has been 0.0046%.
Daniamant apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause, but hopes that you understand and appreciate that quality control and Customer Service are our highest priorities.
Categorised in: News