Commandant U.S.

Coast Guard (CG-5214)

United States Coast Guard 2100 Second Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone: (202) 372-1395
Fax: (202) 372-1924
Email: [email protected]
www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/mse4home.htm

Guideline for USCG Approval of

SOLAS Pyrotechnic Signals and Line-Throwing Appliances
March 2005
This guideline has been assembled from several relevant sources, in order to present a complete document
which fully describes the approval requirements for these products. The source is generally identified at
the section heading. In some places referenced material from another place has been inserted for
completeness.

General
1 Scope.
3 Incorporations by reference.
5 Marking.
7 Approval Process

Rocket Parachute Flares (Approval Series 160.136)

10 SOLAS requirements for rocket parachute flares.
13 SOLAS approval/production testing of rocket parachute flares.
17 Coast Guard requirements for production testing of rocket parachute flares.

Hand Flares – Red (Approval Series 160.121)

20 SOLAS requirements for hand flares.
23 SOLAS approval/production testing of hand flares.

Buoyant Smoke Signals – 3 minute (Approval Series 160.122)

30 SOLAS requirements for buoyant smoke signals.
33 SOLAS approval/production testing of buoyant smoke signals.

Self-Activating Smoke Signals – 15 Minute (Approval Series 160.157)

40 SOLAS requirements for self-activating smoke signals.
43 SOLAS approval/production testing of self-activating smoke signals.

Line-Throwing Appliances (Approval Series 160.40)

50 SOLAS requirements for line-throwing appliances.
51 Additional Coast Guard requirements for line-throwing appliances.
53 SOLAS approval/production testing of line-throwing appliances.
57 Additional Coast Guard requirements for production testing of line-throwing appliances.

General
1 Scope.

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These guidelines describe the process for U.S. Coast Guard approval of pyrotechnic distress signals
meeting the requirements of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Lifesaving Appliances
Code (LSA Code). These devices are generally known as “SOLAS” pyrotechnic devices because the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires commercial ships on
international voyages to carry signals which meet the IMO LSA Code.

Transportation of hazardous materials in the United States is governed by the Department of

Transportation’s Hazardous Materials Regulations at Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
Subchapter C (Parts 171 to 180). The regulations are based in part on the Recommendations of the
United Nations Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Nothing in these guidelines
pre-empts the manufacturer from any additional requirements or tests necessary to offer pyrotechnic
devices for transportation in the United States.

3 Incorporations by reference.

(a) “The Universal Color Language” and “The Color Names Dictionary” in Color: Universal Language
and Dictionary of Names, National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 440, December 1976.
(b) NBS Special Publication 440 may be obtained by ordering from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 (Order by SD Catalog No. C13.10:440).

5 Marking. (46 CFR 160.021-5, 160.022-5, 160.036-5, 160.040-5, and 160.057-5)

Each [pyrotechnic device] shall be legibly marked or labeled with the following, as appropriate:
Company name, location, and brand or style designation
Type of pyrotechnic device
Intensity in candela (for flares only)
Burning time (for flares and smoke signals only)
“Use Only When Aircraft or Vessel Is Sighted.” (for flares and 3-min smoke signals only)
“Approved for daytime use only” (for smoke signals only)
Simple operation instructions (in paragraphs or pictographs)
Expiration Date (month and year to be inserted by manufacturer – not more than 42 months after
date of manufacture (48 months in the case of line-throwing appliance components
containing pyrotechnic material))
Date of Manufacture (Month and year to be inserted by manufacturer)
Lot No. ----
U.S. Coast Guard Approval No. ----.
Meets SOLAS-LSA Code
The expiration date, date of manufacture, and lot number must also be marked on or clearly visible
through the package in which the device is sold.

Note: Compliance with the labeling requirements of this section does not relieve the manufacturer of the
responsibility of complying with the label requirements of 15 U.S.C. 1263, the Federal Hazardous
Substances Act.

7 Approval process.
USCG Approval
Pyrotechnics approved by the U.S Coast Guard are done so under the process described in Title 46 Code
of Federal Regulations, Subpart 159.005. The complete approval package should be submitted to

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Commandant at the above address and should include all plans, specifications, samples and test reports
required by these regulations.
All approval and production testing must be completed by an independent laboratory accepted by the
USCG under Subpart 159.010. Production testing of approved pyrotechnics is required under Subpart
159.007. A list of accepted laboratories for each product can be found at our website:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/mse4/mse4home.htm.
Approval through the MRA
All five products covered by this guideline also are included in the Mutual Recognition Agreement for
Marine Products that the US and the European Community (EC) agreed to on February 27th, 2004. These
products may be tested and reviewed according to the standards used by the EC’s Notified Bodies and are
then given USCG Approval Numbers by the Notified Body without any additional review by the USCG.
Manufacturers may also come to the USCG for approval and receive EC approval without any additional
testing by an EC Notified Body thus reducing the redundant testing costs for manufacturers.

Rocket Parachute Flares

10 SOLAS requirements for rocket parachute flares. (Section 3.1 of the LSA Code)

3.1.1 The rocket parachute flare shall:

.1 be contained in a water-resistant casing;
.2 have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the rocket parachute
flare printed on its casing;
.3 have integral means of ignition; and
.4 be so designed as not to cause discomfort to the person holding the casing when used in
accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions.
3.1.2 The rocket shall, when fired vertically, reach an altitude of not less than 300 m. At or near the
top of its trajectory, the rocket shall eject a parachute flare, which shall:
.1 burn with a bright red colour;
.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 30,000 cd;
.3 have a burning period of not less than 40 s;
.4 have a rate of descent of not more than 5 m/s; and
.5 not damage its parachute or attachments while burning.

13 SOLAS approval/production testing of rocket parachute flares.

The required approval testing, to be completed by an accepted independent laboratory, is listed in the
Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances in the LSA Code under Part 1 Section
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.6.
The production testing requirement for all pyrotechnics is described in Part 2 Section 4 of the Revised
Recommendation of Testing. These requirements are general in nature and state that a statistically
adequate sample of pyrotechnics should be chosen and submitted to the approval tests of Part 1 Section 4
listed above. For guidance on what the USCG considers adequate, the production testing requirements
for domestic pyrotechnics found in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations should be used as an
example for determining what size sample should be testing based on the lot sizes and how many defects
of each type are permitted before the lot is rejected. Section 17, below, is an excerpt from the USCG
regulations describing this production testing for domestic pyrotechnics.

17 Coast Guard requirements for production testing of rocket parachute flares.

(Title 46 C FR. 160.036-4(b) & (c)).
(b) Production inspections and tests. Production inspections and tests of each lot (batch) of signals
produced must be conducted under the procedures in 46 CFR 159.007. Signals from a rejected lot must

3
not be represented as meeting Coast Guard requirements or as being approved by the Coast Guard. If the
manufacturer identifies the cause of the rejection of a lot of signals, the signals in the lot may be reworked
by the manufacturer to correct the problem. Samples from the rejected lot must be retested in order to be
accepted. Records shall be kept of the reasons for rejection, the reworking performed on the rejected lot,
and the results of the second test.

(1) Lot size. For the purposes of sampling the production of signals, a lot must consist of not more than
30,000 signals. Lots must be numbered serially by the manufacturer. A new lot must be started with:

(i) Any change in construction details,

(ii) Any changes in sources of raw materials, or
(iii) The start of production on a new production line or a previously discontinued production line.
(Weekend, holiday, and overnight production stoppages are not considered as discontinued production.)

(2) Inspections and tests by the manufacturer. The manufacturer's quality control procedures must
include inspection of materials entering into construction of the signals and inspection of the finished
signals, to determine that signals are being produced in accordance with the approved plans. Samples
from each lot must be tested in accordance with the operational tests in paragraph (c) of this section.

(3) Inspections and test by an independent laboratory. An independent laboratory accepted by the
Commandant under 46 CFR 159.010 must perform or supervise the inspections and tests under paragraph
(b)(2) of this section [whenever the tests under section 13 above are conducted.] If a lot of signals tested
by the independent laboratory is rejected, the laboratory must perform or supervise the inspections and
tests of the reworked lot and the next lot of signals produced. The tests of each reworked lot and the next
lot produced must not be counted for the purpose of meeting the requirement for the annual number of
inspections and tests performed or supervised by the independent laboratory.

(c) Operational tests. Each lot of signals must be sampled and tested as follows:

(1) Sampling procedure and accept/reject criteria. A sample of signals must be selected at random from
the lot. The size of the sample must be the individual sample size in Table 17(1) corresponding to the lot
size. Each signal in the sample is tested as prescribed in the test procedure in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section [Part 1 Section 4 of the Recommendation of Testing]. Each signal that has a defect listed in the
table of defects (Table 17(2)) is assigned a score (failure percent) in accordance with that table. In the
case of multiple defects, only the score having the highest numerical value is assigned to that signal. If the
sum of all the failure percents (cumulative failure percent) for the number of units in the sample is less
than or equal to the accept criterion, the lot is accepted. If this sum is equal to or more than the reject
criterion the lot is rejected. If the cumulative failure percent falls between the accept and reject criteria,
another sample is selected from the production lot and the operational tests are repeated. The cumulative
failure percent of each sample tested is added to that of the previous samples to obtain the cumulative
failure percent for all the signals tested (cumulative sample size). Additional samples are tested and the
tests repeated until either the accept or reject criterion for the cumulative sample size is met. If any signal
in the sample explodes when fired or ignites in a way that could burn or otherwise injure the person firing
it, the lot is rejected without further testing. (This procedure is diagrammed in figure 17).

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Figure 17 – Operational test procedure

5
 Table 17(1)--Accept and Reject Criteria for Operational Test Lots

Individual Cumulative
Lot Size sample size Sample sample size Accept 1 Reject 1
280 or less 8 First 8 -- 2 400
Second 16 100 500
Third 24 200 600
Fourth 32 300 700
Fifth 40 500 800
Sixth 48 700 900
Seventh 56 950 951
281 to 500 13 First 13 0 400
Second 26 100 600
Third 39 300 800
Fourth 52 500 1,000
Fifth 65 700 1,100
Sixth 78 1,000 1,200
Seventh 91 1,350 1,351
501 to 1200 20 First 20 0 500
Second 40 300 800
Third 60 600 1,000
Fourth 80 800 1,300
Fifth 100 1,100 1,500
Sixth 120 1,400 1,700
Seventh 140 1,850 1,851
1,201 to 3,200 32 First 32 100 700
Second 64 400 1,000
Third 96 800 1,300
Fourth 128 1,200 1,700
Fifth 160 1,700 2,000
Sixth 192 2,100 2,300
Seventh 224 2,550 2,551
More than 50 First 50 200 900
3,201
Second 100 700 1,400
Third 150 1,300 1,900
Fourth 200 1,900 2,500
Fifth 250 2,500 2,900
Sixth 300 3,100 3,300
Seventh 350 3,750 3,751

1
Cumulative failure percent
2
Lot may not be accepted. Next sample must be tested.

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 Table 17(2) – Table of defects

Percentage
Kind of defect of failure
a. Failure to fire 100
b. Failure to eject projectile contents 100
c. Failure to ignite pyrotechnic candle 100
d. Failure of parachute to open completely 75
e. Complete carrying away or destruction of parachute 75
f. Altitude less than 70 % of that required 100
g. Altitude less than 70 % but less than 80 % of that required 75
h. Altitude at least 80 % but less than 90 % of that required 50
i. Altitude at least 90 % but less than 100 % of that required 25
j. Average rate of descent greater than four times maximum permitted 100
k. Average rate of descent less than 4 but greater than 3 times maximum permitted 75
l. Average rate of descent less than 3 but greater than 2 times maximum permitted 50
m. Average rate of descent less than twice but greater than maximum permitted 25
n. Burning time less than 70 % of that required 100
o. Burning time at least 70 % but less than 80 % of that required 75
p. Burning time at least 80 % but less than 90 % of that required 50
q. Burning time at least 90 % but less than 100 % of that required 25

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Hand Flares - Red
20 SOLAS requirements for hand flares. (Section 3.2 of the IMO LSA Code)

3.2.1 The hand flare shall:

.1 be contained in a water-resistant casing;
.2 have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the hand flare printed on
its casing;
.3 have a self-contained means of ignition;
.4 be so designed as not to cause discomfort to the person holding the casing and not
endanger the survival craft by burning or glowing residues when used in accordance with
the manufacturer's operating instructions.
3.2.2 The hand flare shall:
.1 burn with a bright red colour;
.2 burn uniformly with an average luminous intensity of not less than 15,000 cd;
.3 have a burning period of not less than 1 min; and
.4 continue to burn after having been immersed for a period of 10s under 100 mm of water.

23 SOLAS approval/production testing of hand flares.

The required approval testing, to be completed by an accepted independent laboratory, is listed in the
Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances in the LSA Code under Part 1 Section
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.7.
The production testing requirement for all pyrotechnics is described in Part 2 Section 4 of the Revised
Recommendation on Testing. See Section 13 and 17 above for specific guidance on USCG production
testing. Table 27 below lists the defects specific to hand flares and replaces Table 17(2) for this testing.

Table 27 – Table of defects

Percentage
Kind of defect of failure
a Failure to ignite 100
b Ignites or burns dangerously 50
c Nonuniform burning intensity 50
d Chimneys so as to materially obscure the flame 25
e Fire flashes down between casing and handle so as to endanger burning the hand 50
f Burning time less than 70 pct of specified time 100
g Burning time at least 70 pct but less than 80 pct of specified time 75
h Burning time at least 80 pct but less than 90 pct of specified time 50
i Burning time at least 90 pct but less than 100 pct of specified time 25

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Buoyant Smoke Signals – 3 Minute
30 SOLAS requirements for buoyant (3-min) smoke signals.
(Section 3.3 of the IMO LSA Code)
3.3.1 The buoyant smoke signal shall:
.1 be contained in a water-resistant casing;
.2 not ignite explosively when used in accordance with the manufacturer's operating
instructions; and
.3 have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the buoyant smoke
signal printed on its casing.
3.3.2 The buoyant smoke signal shall:
.1 emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of not less than 3 min
when floating in calm water;
.2 not emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time;
.3 not be swamped in a seaway; and
.4 continue to emit smoke when submerged in water for a period of 10 s under 100 mm of
water.

33 SOLAS approval/production testing of buoyant smoke signals.

The required approval testing, to be completed by an accepted independent laboratory, is listed in the
Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances in the LSA Code under Part 1 Section
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.8.
The production testing requirement for all pyrotechnics is described in Part 2 Section 4 of the Revised
Recommendation on Testing. See Section 13 and 17 above for specific guidance on USCG production
testing. Table 37 below lists the defects specific to buoyant smoke signals and replaces Table 17(2) for
this testing.

Table 37 – Table of defects

Percentage
Kind of defect of failure
a. Failure to ignite. 100
b. Ignites or burns dangerously 50
c. Nonuniform smoke emitting rate 50
d. Smoke-emitting time less than 70 pct of specified time 100
e. Smoke-emitting time at least 70 pct but less than 80 pct of specified time 75
f. Smoke-emitting time at least 80 pct but less than 90 pct of specified time 50
g. Smoke-emitting time at least 90 pct but less than 100 pct of specified time 25

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Self-Activating Smoke Signals – 15 Minute
40 SOLAS requirements for self-activating smoke signals.
(Section 2.1.3 of the LSA Code)
2.1.3 Lifebuoy self-activating smoke signals
Self-activating smoke signals required by regulation III/7.1.3 shall:
.1 emit smoke of a highly visible colour at a uniform rate for a period of at least 15 min
when floating in calm water;
.2 not ignite explosively or emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time of the
signal;
.3 not be swamped in a seaway;
.4 continue to emit smoke when fully submerged in water for a period of at least 10 s;
.5 be capable of withstanding the drop test required by paragraph 2.1.1.6.
Note: 2.1.1.6 [Every self-activating smoke signal shall] be constructed to withstand a drop into
the water from the height at which it is stowed above the waterline in the lightest seagoing
condition or 30 m, whichever is the greater, without impairing either its operating capability or
that of its attached components;

43 SOLAS approval/production testing of self-activating smoke signals.

The required approval testing, to be completed by an accepted independent laboratory, is listed in the
Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances in the LSA Code under Part 1 Section
1.9.
The production testing requirement for all pyrotechnics is described in Part 2 Section 4 of the Revised
Recommendation on Testing. See Section 13 and 17 above for specific guidance on USCG production
testing. Tables 47(1) and 47(2) below list the requirements specific to self-activating smoke signals and
replaces Tables 17(1) and 17(2) for this testing.

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 Table 47(1)--Accept and Reject Criteria for Operational Test Lots
Individual Cumulative
Lot Size sample size Sample sample size Accept 1 Reject 1
150 or less 2 First 2 -- 2 200
Second 4 --2 200
Third 6 0 200
Fourth 8 0 300
Fifth 10 100 300
Sixth 12 100 300
Seventh 14 299 300
151 to 500 3 First 3 --2 200
Second 6 0 300
Third 9 0 300
Fourth 12 100 400
Fifth 15 200 400
Sixth 18 300 500
Seventh 21 499 500
More than 501 5 First 5 --2 300
Second 10 0 300
Third 15 100 400
Fourth 20 200 500
Fifth 25 300 600
Sixth 30 400 600
Seventh 35 699 700

Table 47(2) – Table of defects

Percentage
Kind of defect of failure
a. Failure to ignite. 100
b. Ignites or burns dangerously 100
c. Nonuniform smoke emitting rate 50
d. Smoke-emitting time less than 70 pct of specified time 100
e. Smoke-emitting time at least 70 pct but less than 80 pct of specified time 75
f. Smoke-emitting time at least 80 pct but less than 90 pct of specified time 50
g. Smoke-emitting time at least 90 pct but less than 100 pct of specified time 25

1
Cumulative failure percent
2
Lot may not be accepted. Next sample must be tested.

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Line-Throwing Appliances
50 SOLAS requirements for line-throwing appliances. (Section 7.1 of the LSA Code)
7.1.1 Every line-throwing appliance shall:
.1 be capable of throwing a line with reasonable accuracy;
.2 include not less than four projectiles each capable of carrying the line at least 230 m in
calm weather;
.3 include not less than four lines each having a breaking strength of not less than 2 kN;
.4 have brief instructions or diagrams clearly illustrating the use of the line-throwing
appliance.
7.1.2 The rocket, in the case of a pistol fired rocket, or the assembly, in the case of an integral rocket
and line, shall be contained in a water-resistant casing. In addition, in the case of a pistol fired rocket, the
line and rockets together with the means of ignition shall be stowed in a container which provides
protection from the weather.

51 Additional Coast Guard requirements for line-throwing appliances.

For SOLAS approval of rocket type line throwing appliances the USCG has several additional
requirements beyond what is required by the LSA Code in Section 7.1. They are described in Title 46
CFR. 160.040-4 &5 and are excerpted here.
(Title 46 CFR. 160.040-4)
(c) The length of each service line will be assigned in the approval of the appliance as a round number
approximately one-third in excess of the average distance the line is carried in the tests required by
[Section 53 below]. The end of the line intended to be attached to the projectile shall have securely
attached thereto a substantial tag bearing a permanent legend indicating its purpose, and the other end of
the line shall be tagged in the same manner to prevent delay in securing proper and immediate action with
the equipment. Each line shall be coiled, faked, or reeled in its own faking box or reel in such manner that
when all the line leaves the container, it shall automatically become unattached and free from the
container. The reel type container shall consist of a reel upon which the line may be readily coiled and a
canister or container into which the line may be placed that affords a fair lead through which the line may
pay out. Containers of new lines shall bear the name of the manufacturer, date of manufacture, and a
statement to the effect that in all respects the line meets the requirements.
(e) – (g) [Line-throwing appliances intended to be cleaned by the user between uses must be provided
with appropriate materials, such as brushes, cleaning and preservative oil, wiping patches, etc.]
(h) Maintenance instructions must be provided with the appliance.
(Title 46 CFR. 160.040-5)
(2) Rockets. The use of black powder for the rocket motor is not acceptable. The ignition of the rocket
motor shall occur at such a distance from the appliance so as not to spew flame, hot gaseous exhaust, or
hot particles of propellant in such a manner as to create a hazard to personnel or the vessel.

53 SOLAS approval/production testing of line-throwing appliances.

The required approval testing, to be completed by an USCG accepted independent laboratory, is listed in
the Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances in the LSA Code under Part 1
Section 9.
The production testing requirement for all pyrotechnics is described in Part 2 Section 4 of the Revised
Recommendation on Testing but does not provide specific information for line-throwing appliances. See
Section 57 below for specific guidance on USCG production testing based on domestic regulations for
line-throwing appliances and their projectiles.

12
57 Coast Guard requirements for production testing of line-throwing appliances.
(Title 46 CFR. 160.040-5)
The USCG regulation 160.040-5(b)(1) requires manufactures to conduct the performance tests on each
appliance. For SOLAS line throwing appliances this performance test is in the LSA Code Part 1 Section
9.2 – Function Test.
USCG regulation 160.040-5(c)(2) also requires manufactures to select from each 200 rockets
manufactured, not less than three rockets for testing by firing with service line attached. These rockets
shall be subjected to the LSA Code Part 1 Section 9.2 - Function Test. These three rockets can also be
used to test an appliance as required in the previous paragraph.
An USCG accepted independent laboratory must inspect and test appliances and rockets at least once
each year. This should include all testing requirements described in the LSA Code Part 1 Section 9.

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