Circular No. 321/2016/TT-BTC on National Technical Regulations for State Reserve Buoyancy Floats

CIRCULAR
regarding National Technical Regulations
for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve

______________

Pursuant to the Law on Construction number 50/2014/QH13 amended and supplemented by Law number 03/2016/QH14, Law number 35/2018/QH14, Law number 40/2019/QH14 and Law number 62/2020/QH14;

Pursuant to Law on National Reserve No. 22/2012/QH13 dated November 20, 2012;

Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2007/NĐ-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government detailing implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 94/2013/NĐ-CP dated August 21, 2013 of the Government detailing implementation of the Law on National Reserve;

Pursuant to Decree No. 215/2013/NĐ-CP dated December 23, 2013 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Finance;

Upon the proposal of the Director General of the State Treasury General Department;

The Minister of Finance issues this Circular on National Technical Regulations for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve.

Article 1. This Circular promulgates the National Technical Regulations for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve.

Article 2. This Circular takes effect from June 15, 2017 and replaces Circular No. 132/2012/TT-BTC dated August 13, 2012 issued by the Minister of Finance on National Technical Regulations for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve.

Article 3. The Director General of the State Treasury General Department, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to activities of receiving and delivering (importing, exporting), storing, and managing Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Circular.

During the implementation, if there are any difficulties, agencies, organizations, and individuals shall promptly reflect them to the Ministry of Finance for research, amendment, and supplementation.

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

QCVN 05: 2016/BTC

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD

REGARDING RING LIFE BUOY FOR NATIONAL RESERVE

National technical regulation on ring life buoy for national reserve

HANOI - 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword 2

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 3

   1. Scope of Application 3

   2. Object of Application 3

   3. Explanation of Terms 3

   4. Referenced Documents 3

2. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 3

   1. Technical Requirements 3

   2. Basis for specifying technical requirements in the standard 4

3. TESTING METHODS 4

   1. Visual Inspection 4

   2. Compliance with Technical Requirements Testing 4

4. PROVISIONS ON RECEIVING AND STORING 5

   1. Transportation 5

   1. Receiving Inspection Procedure 6

   2. Storage 8

   3. Dispatching Procedure 9

   4. Reporting Quality of Ring Buoy Provisions 9

1. MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS 10

   1. Quality Inspection 10

   2. Warehouse Requirements 11

   3. Lot Tags 11

   4. Record Keeping and Inventory Tracking System 11

   5. Fire Prevention and Explosion Protection 12

   6. Declaration of Conformity 12

1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF FUNCTIONARIES AND INDIVIDUALS 12

2. IMPLEMENTATION ORGANIZATION 12

QCVN 05:2016/BTC

Foreword

QCVN 05: 2016/BTC replaces QCVN 05: 2012/BTC National Technical Regulations for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve compiled by the State Treasury General Department, submitted for review; reviewed by the Ministry of Science and Technology and issued by the Minister of Finance through Circular No. 321/2016/TT-BTC dated December 14, 2016.

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD

REGARDING RING LIFE BUOY FOR NATIONAL RESERVE

National technical regulation on ring life buoy for national reserve

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope of Application

This standard specifies technical requirements, testing methods, receiving (importing, exporting), storage, and management procedures for Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve.

1.2. Applicability

This standard applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in activities of receiving (importing, exporting), storing, and managing Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve.

1.3. Definitions

1.3.1. Ring Life Buoy for National Reserve is a closed buoy that meets technical requirements specified in Section 2 of this standard, certified by the Vietnamese Registration Authority for industrial product types and other current regulations for use in rescue operations, hereinafter referred to as Ring Buoy.

1.3.2. Lot of Ring Buoy is a quantity of Ring Buoy manufactured according to a product type recognized by the Vietnamese Registration Authority at the same manufacturing facility.

1.4. Referenced Documents

1.4.1. QCVN 85: 2015/BGTVT: National Technical Regulation on Manufacturing and Testing of Life-Saving Equipment for Inland Waterway Vessels issued by the Ministry of Transport.

1.4.2. TCVN 5466: 2002 (ISO 105 - A02:1993). Textile Materials - Method for Determining Color Fastness - Part A02: Grey Scale for Assessing Change in Color.

1.4.3. ASTM D 6775-13 Standard Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Textile Webbing, Tape and Braided Material (method for determining breaking strength and elongation of textile webbing, tape and braided material).

2. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1. Technical Requirements

Ring Buoy must meet the technical requirements set out in the National Technical Regulation on Manufacturing and Testing of Life-Saving Equipment for Inland Waterway Vessels (QCVN 85: 2015/BGTVT) of the Ministry of Transport; specifically, it must comply with the following requirements:

2.1.1. Regarding materials

2.1.1.1. Core material (floating material): Polyurethane foam (Polyurethane - Foam).

2.1.1.2. Outer cover: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic with orange color.

2.1.2. Regarding structure

2.1.2.1. Size and weight

2.1.2.1.1. First type of Ring Buoy:

- External diameter: 720 mm ±10 mm;

- Internal diameter: 440 mm ± 10 mm;

- Weight: Not less than 2,500 g.

2.1.2.1.2. Second type of Ring Buoy:

- External diameter: 750 mm ± 10 mm;

- Internal diameter: 450 mm ± 10 mm;

- Weight: Not less than 2,800 g.

2.1.2.1.2. Cross-sectional shape of the buoy body is elliptical.

2.1.2.4. Reflective material width is 50 mm ± 1 mm and attached at equally spaced points.

2.1.2.4. Holding rope (handle) is polyester fiber, with a diameter not less than 9.5 mm, tensile strength not less than 6,000 N, and length not less than four times the external diameter of the buoy body. The holding rope is fixed at four equally spaced points around the circumference of the Ring Buoy to form four evenly spaced loops.

2.1.3. Colorfastness of the buoy shell: Achieves at least level 4 after 200 hours of exposure to light.

2.2. Based on the technical requirements specified in this standard and specific conditions, the Head of the National Reserve Unit shall specify the technical standards for Ring Buoy to be included in the National Reserve.

3. TESTING METHODS

Before being admitted into the National Reserve, Ring Buoy must be inspected and certified for quality in accordance with the law. National Reserve Units shall take samples for quality inspection before admission into the warehouse according to the following contents:

3.1. Visual inspection

Randomly select some generators from the incoming generators for visual inspection. The minimum number of generators to be inspected is 2% of the total number of generators in the batch but not less than 2 units.

Samples are randomly selected from the Ring Buoy entering the warehouse (during the receiving and storing process) for visual inspection; the minimum number is 2% of the total number of Ring Buoy in the lot but not less than 20 pieces.

3.1.2. Inspection Content

Follow the provisions at Point 4.3.2.3 of this standard.

3.2. Compliance with Technical Requirements Inspection

3.2.1. Sampling

For each lot of round buoys received not exceeding 5,000 pieces, randomly select at least two samples (each sample consisting of one piece). If one quality index of the taken sample does not meet the requirements, recheck another random sample from the lot. If the lot fails after two checks, the state reserve unit shall prepare a record refusing to accept the lot and request the supplier to replace it with another lot and recheck according to regulations.

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at least two samples (each sample one unit). If one of the taken samples does not meet quality standards for one index, then another random sample from the batch shall be rechecked. If the batch fails to pass after two inspections, the national reserve unit shall prepare a record refusing acceptance of the batch and request the supplier to replace it with another batch and recheck according to regulations.

3.2.2. Technical requirements to be checked

Check the colorfastness and materials of the outer cover, core materials, and the tensile strength of the mooring rope in accordance with Clause 2.1, Section 2 of this Standard.

3.2.3. Testing method

3.2.3. Testing methods

3.2.3.1. Colorfastness according to TCVN 5466: 2002 (ISO 105 - A02:1993). Textile materials - Method for determining colorfastness - Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in color.

3.2.3.3. The testing method for core materials, outer coverings, and round buoy attachment ropes shall be carried out according to one of the following methods:

3.2.3.2. Tensile strength of the mooring rope according to ASTM D 6775-13 Standard Test method for Breaking strength and Elongation of Textile Webbing, tape and Braided material (method for testing tensile strength and elongation of textile webbing).

- In accordance with the National Standard;

3.2.3.3. Testing methods for core buoy materials, outer covers, and mooring ropes shall be carried out according to one of the following methods:

- National technical standards;

- National standards;

4. PROVISIONS ON RECEIVING AND STORING

4.1. Transportation

- International standards, regional standards, or foreign standards.

- Before loading round buoys onto vehicles or storing them in warehouses, transportation equipment and tools must be prepared, goods must not be dragged, and round buoys must be handled carefully to avoid damaging them. Round buoys should be stacked vertically on vehicles and securely fastened, and they should not be transported together with chemicals or other substances that may affect the quality of the round buoys;

3.2.4. Organizations conducting inspections, testing, and trials

4.2. Requirements for materials, equipment, and tools

Designated laboratories (if any) or recognized laboratories (Vilas, Las).

- Transport vehicles must have covered containers that are clean and protected from rain and sun;

- Before loading round buoys onto trucks or unloading them into storage areas, all transportation equipment and tools must be prepared, and goods must not be dragged or handled roughly to avoid damaging the buoys. Round buoys should be stacked vertically on the truck and securely fastened, and they must not be transported together with chemicals or substances that may affect the quality of the buoys;

- During transportation, all necessary and valid documents must be carried to ensure the safety of the buoys.

The entity directly responsible for managing round buoys has the responsibility to prepare sufficient materials, equipment, and tools for the process of receiving, storing, and dispatching round buoys, including:

- Shelves: Used for stacking round buoys;

4.3. Inspection procedures upon receipt

- Materials for receiving and dispatching goods: Cleaning cloths, brushes, soap, polypropylene (PP) tarpaulins, insecticides and harmful organism treatments; transportation and stacking tools, office supplies;

- Storage materials: Brushes, cleaning cloths, soap, polypropylene (PP) tarpaulins, insecticides and harmful organism treatments, vacuum cleaners (if available);

- Materials related to electricity and water: Electrical wires, light bulbs for indoor and outdoor lighting, electricity for storage equipment; water for receiving, dispatching, storage, and fire prevention.

- Tools and equipment for flood and storm prevention, fire prevention, and firefighting.

The state reserve entity assigned the task of managing round buoys shall conduct inspections upon receipt into the warehouse according to the following contents:

4.3.1. Inspection of technical documents

4.3.1.1. Documents provided by the supplying entity:

- Design drawings;

- Industrial product type approval certificate issued by the Vietnam Registration Authority (still valid);

- Industrial product certification of the lot of round buoys consistent with the industrial product type approval certificate; the content of the industrial product certification clearly states: Product type (with code if applicable), manufacturing facility, function, scope of use, year of manufacture, and technical characteristics meeting the technical requirements specified in Section 2 of this Standard. The industrial product certification of the lot is issued by the Vietnam Registration Authority;

- Warranty certificate (or warranty commitment letter) of the supplying entity.

- A test result certificate for colorfastness and material of the outer covering, core material, and breaking strength of the attachment rope;

- The national reserve entity importing generators must verify the completeness, accuracy, and validity of the required documents, clearly identifying the type, quality, origin, and other relevant issues concerning the batch of goods being stored in the national reserve.

4.3.1.2. Documents jointly implemented by the state reserve entity and the supplying entity:

- Record of technical document inspection;

- Record of external inspection of the lot;

- Sample collection record for quality testing and handover record for the quality testing entity;

- Certificate of colorfastness and material testing results of the outer cover, core materials, and mooring rope tensile strength.

The inspection content includes:

4.3.2. Product inspection upon delivery and receipt

4.3.2.1. Packaging inspection

Each round buoy is placed in a new, clean polyethylene (PE) plastic bag without holes or tears, wider than the diameter of the buoy. Each package containing five buoys is packed in a woven polypropylene (PP) bag; the bag must be new, clean, free from fibers, holes, or cracks, with a securely sewn and sealed opening; the buoys inside must not be jumbled or damaged. The outside of the bag must indicate: Product type, manufacturer's name, year of manufacture, number of buoys; these details must match those recorded in the industrial product certification of the lot issued by the Vietnam Registration Authority.

- Manufacturer;

4.3.2.2. Quantity inspection: The quantity of round buoys delivered and received must correspond to the quantity recorded in the industrial product certification of the lot issued by the Vietnam Registration Authority. The total number of buoys delivered and received must match the quantity stipulated in the signed contract.

- Sample approval number;

4.3.2.3. External inspection

Inspection contents include:

4.3.2.3.1. Label and surface inspection of round buoys

The surface of the round buoy must be smooth, non-abrasive, and safe for users; the buoy's outer cover must be uniform orange in color within the same lot and show no noticeable color difference when visually inspected.

The round buoy must bear labels in accordance with current regulations, and at minimum, must include the following information:

- Manufacturer;

- Buoy identifier;

- Sample product approval number;

- Lot number;

4.3.2.3.3. If any of the round buoys inspected according to the provisions mentioned above do not meet the requirements, then inspect 50% of the round buoys in the batch. If they fail to meet the requirements after two inspections, the national reserve unit shall prepare a non-acceptance report for the batch and request the supplier to replace it with another batch and re-inspect according to the regulations.

4.3.2.4. Inspect the quality indicators of the round buoys: Implement according to the provisions stipulated in Clause 3.2, Section 3 of this Standard.

4.4. Storage

4.4.1. Stacking round buoys in the warehouse

- Round buoys must be stored in separate warehouses. If large warehouses are utilized, they must be divided into separate areas for storing different types of goods;

- Round buoys should be stacked by batches, separated by type and time of entry according to the following regulations:

The bottom shelf of the rack must be at least 0.3 meters from the warehouse floor. Each shelf must be spaced at least one item apart when stacking round buoys vertically (the circular edge of the round buoy lies on a horizontal plane so that the round buoys can stack on top of each other); or enough space to accommodate one item when placed diagonally (the outer circumference of the round buoy touches the rack, the round buoys are tightly packed against each other);

The rack has three shelves made of metal to ensure stability and convenience for storage;

The rack must be at least 0.5 meters away from the walls and columns of the warehouse. Between two rows of racks or batches, there must be a minimum distance of 1.5 meters to create reasonable pathways within the warehouse;

The top of the round buoy batch must be at least 2 meters from the warehouse ceiling;

To ensure safety and stability, when stacking round buoys vertically on the rack, stack them in layers from 3 to 4 layers high using the method: The bottom layer and middle layer have two round buoys stacked together vertically and one round buoy on top locked between the two (see Figure 1);

Figure 1: Method of stacking round buoys on the rack

- There must be a layout diagram of the goods currently being stored in the warehouse to facilitate observation, monitoring, and inspection of the goods; label the layers of items to facilitate storage work;

QCVN 05: 2016/BTC

- The items of round buoys must be neatly arranged, securely, easily observed, and counted.

4.4.2. Initial Storage: After completing the import of round buoys, initial storage procedures should be carried out: Clean and sanitize the packaging containing the round buoys. For packaging mouths that have loosened, sew them back up. After cleaning and finishing the packaging containing the round buoys, arrange the goods neatly on the rack and complete the batch card and storage log.

Daily inspections of the warehouse should be conducted. If any changes are noticed (round buoys falling over, harmful organisms present, leaks in the warehouse, or factors affecting the quality of the round buoys), investigate the cause and take immediate measures to address the issue proactively. If the situation exceeds the capability and authority, report immediately to the unit's leadership or the directly supervising superior agency to resolve the matter. Check the temperature and humidity in the warehouse, and implement natural or forced ventilation (if necessary) to maintain normal storage conditions (temperature not exceeding 35°C and humidity not exceeding 85%).

4.4.3. Regular Maintenance

4.4.3.1. At least twice a week, use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to clean dust and cobwebs; clean around and outside the round buoy items, shelves, floor, and ceiling of the warehouse.

4.4.3.2. Every three months (from the date of entry into the warehouse), rotate the round buoy items sequentially "top down, bottom up," ensuring each item is moved to a new position over time. If the round buoys are stacked vertically, the bottom item moves to the top, the top item moves to the middle, and the middle item moves to the bottom. If the round buoys are stacked diagonally on the rack, they must also be rotated every three months, turning 90 degrees clockwise.

Once a year (from the date of entry into the warehouse), remove all round buoys stored in the warehouse, clean each round buoy carefully with a soft, clean, dry cloth or vacuum cleaner, clean both inside and outside the packaging, then repack them into batches of five for storage, while simultaneously conducting a thorough cleaning of the warehouse.

- Before exporting round buoys: Prepare necessary tools, equipment, and relevant documents and records related to the export of round buoys;

4.5. Inspection procedures upon dispatch

- Export according to the principle: First-in, first-out;

- Export the correct quantity and type;

- Complete all handover procedures and documents according to regulations after exporting.

4.6. Reporting on the Quality of Round Buoys

- Within one month after the end of the import period, the head of the national reserve unit shall instruct specialized agencies to report on the quality of imported round buoys to the specialized national reserve agency;

- Quarterly, compile and report to the specialized national reserve agency on the quality status of stored round buoys before the 20th day of the last month of each quarter. In case of emergencies, units may submit separate reports;

- The head of the national reserve unit shall instruct specialized agencies to report on the quality of round buoys to the specialized national reserve agency before exporting from the warehouse.

The Vietnam Registration Agency will inspect according to the law. Specifically: Inspect and issue Product Type Certification and Product Certification for round buoys imported into the national reserve.

5. PROVISIONS ON MANAGEMENT

5.1. Quality inspection

5.1.1. Pre-receipt Inspection

5.1.1.1. The national reserve unit will inspect according to the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Standard.

5.1.1.2. Three months before the expiration of the warranty period, the national reserve unit will randomly select at least one sample (one round buoy) to test buoyancy and durability indicators at the Vietnam Registration Agency. If the sample fails to meet the required quality standards during testing, the national reserve unit will request the supplier to provide another random sample for testing. If the sample fails to meet the requirements after two tests, the national reserve unit will require the organization or individual supplying the round buoys to replace them with new ones meeting the quality standards.

5.1.2. Inspection before Warranty Expiration and During Storage Period

5.1.2.1. Inspection before Warranty Expiration

By the sixth year of storage and six months before the expiration of the storage period, the national reserve unit will randomly select at least one sample (one round buoy) to test buoyancy and durability indicators at the Vietnam Registration Agency and report the results to the specialized national reserve agency.

5.1.2.2. Inspection During Storage Period

The national reserve unit will organize external inspections as follows:

5.1.2.3. Inspection Before Shipment

- Sampling: According to the provisions in Clause 3.1.1, Section 3 of this Standard;

- Inspection Content: Inspect packaging, reflective materials, mooring ropes...

- Inspection content: Packaging inspection, photoluminescent material inspection, attachment rope...

5.1.3. Production time, warranty period, and storage time for round buoys

5.1.3.1. Time from manufacturing to national reserve warehouse entry: Not exceeding 9 months, including transportation time.

5.1.3.2. Warranty period: At least 36 months from the date of acceptance handover for round buoys entering the national reserve warehouse.

5.1.3.3. Storage preservation time: Not exceeding 8 years from the date of entry into the national reserve warehouse.

5.2. Warehouse requirements

Round buoys must be stored in warehouses with material, equipment, rescue, and disaster relief items under the same storage conditions, meeting the following basic requirements:

- Must be enclosed warehouses with sunshades, rain shelters, windbreaks, typhoon protection, and heat insulation roofs;

- Warehouse floor must be flat, hard, and able to withstand a minimum load of 3 tons/m²;²;

- The warehouse must be equipped with sufficient ventilation fans to ensure dryness and freshness inside the warehouse; temperature and humidity measuring instruments must be available;

- There must be a bird, rodent, termite, and other harmful organism prevention system, along with lighting systems for storage and security purposes;

- It must be located away from sources of chemicals, areas prone to fire and explosion, high-voltage power lines, and minimize dust and thermal radiation;

- There must be internal regulations, means, and plans for fire prevention and extinguishing, and for preventing typhoons and floods.

5.3. Lot tags

Each consignment must have a consignment card containing the following information:

- Product code;

- Specifications;

- Name and address of the manufacturing facility;

- Year of manufacture;

- Quantity;

- Date of entry into the warehouse.

5.4. Record keeping and inventory tracking system

5.4.1. Along with the issuance of accounting vouchers according to the national reserve accounting regulations, a storage monitoring logbook (referred to as the storage logbook) must also be established.

5.4.2. Storage Ledger

The storage logbook must bear a matching stamp, and all relevant signatures and stamps of the unit must be affixed;

The warehouse custodian must open the warehouse daily, inspect the goods and storage conditions, record all changes regarding quantity, quality, storage activities, any damage that occurs, and the results of handling in the storage logbook;

The head of the unit directly managing the national reserve stock must conduct inspections twice a month; the technical storage management department of the unit directly managing the national reserve stock must conduct inspections once a week, recording the changes in quantity and quality and evaluating the storage work in the storage logbook;

Annually, every three months, the head of the national reserve unit must inspect and record their assessment of the storage work in the storage logbook.

5.5. Fire and Explosion Prevention

The head of the national reserve unit is responsible for organizing and implementing fire and explosion prevention work in accordance with the provisions of the law; ensuring the quality of goods and the safety of the national reserve warehouse.

5.6. Compliance Announcement

Round buoys shall comply with the compliance announcement regulations (National Technical Regulations) of the specialized management ministry.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

6.1Organizations and individuals providing round buoys are responsible for supplying products that meet the quality requirements stipulated in Section 2 of this Standard.

6.2. The head of the national reserve unit is responsible for directing the implementation of the handover and storage work for round buoys in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of this Standard.

7. IMPLEMENTATION

7.1The State General Reserve Corporation (the specialized national reserve agency) is responsible for guiding and supervising the implementation of this Standard.

7.2In cases where the Standards, Regulations, and guidelines referenced for implementation in this Standard are revised, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the new document./.