Safety delay in pyrotechnical equipment: UK21/L016
Adopted EU recommendation LSA-062. UK approved recommendation on how to measure the safety delay of pyrotechnical devices.
Question
According to MSC.81 (70) chapter 4.5.2, hand flares, smoke signals and rocket parachute flares that are not operated from the bottom (safe) end should have a safety delay of 2 seconds. Neither a definition for safety delay nor instructions on how to carry out the delay time measurement are given.
How should the safety delay of pyrotechnical devices be measured?
Recommendation
To ensure superior safety for the users and consistent and reproducible conditions during certification, safety delay should be defined as the time between activation and the appearance of the first external noticeable reaction.
References
• MSC.81 (70)
• MSN 1874 as amended
• The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected
• UK/1.8, Rocket parachute flares (pyrotechnics)
• UK/1.9, Hand flares (pyrotechnics)
• UK/1.10, Buoyant smoke signals (pyrotechnics)
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca