DISPLAY FIREWORKS FORUM February 23 2012 1 Display

DISPLAY FIREWORKS FORUM February 23, 2012 1

Display Fireworks Program Three components: 1. Annual factory audits 2. On-site product evaluations 3. Container loading supervision 2

Participating Importers More than 50% of U. S. Market 3

Participating Shippers 4

Program Timetable Aug. 1 - Factory audit checklist was distributed for comments. Aug. 18 – Follow-up meeting with display industry Sep. 1 – Nov. 30 – Factory audits conducted Nov. 29 – China Industry Meeting Jan. 1, 2012 - Initiate products evaluation and container loading supervision 5

Annual Factory Audit Ø Purpose: ØEnsure proper manufacturing practices are maintained. ØValidation of components and packaging for display fireworks meet the requirements of the Display Fireworks Certification Program. 6

Annual Factory Audit Ø Factory Audit Sections: ØQuality Assurance Records ØSupplied Materials Quality Assurance ØProcess Control ØCertification Documents 7

Annual Factory Audit Ø AFSL Factory Registration Number : ØEach compliant factory is assigned a unique AFSL Reg. No. related to the CIQ factory ID No. ØRecord of Registration Nos. maintained by AFSL. ØIn order to maintain the Reg. No. , Annual re. Audits are required. ØAFSL Reg. No. will be cancelled if a noncompliance result is obtained on any future re. Audit’s. 8

Factory Audits Each Factory is required to successfully complete a factory audit to ship display fireworks to participating U. S. Importers 9

Factory Audit Program Status thru 31 -Jan: ◦ 15 – Passed/ Certified ◦ 3 – Initially Failed (re-Audited and Passed) ◦ 4 – In process of pre-payment/ scheduling ◦ 2 – Factories Unresponsive 10

On-site Product Inspection Ø Purpose: ØEnsure the product and packaging comply with the requirements of AFSL program. ØCertify all shipping cartons with an AFSL sticker. 11

On-site Product Testing Ø Shipper submits an application for product evaluation to SGS. Ø Evaluation completed within 3 working days. 12

AFSL STANDARDS FOR DISPLAY FIREWORKS Ø Copy Available on AFSL Website. 　 13

AFSL Display Fireworks Standards Committee Members Display Industry Representatives Robert Kellner, Kellner’s Fireworks Stephen Pelkey, Atlas Advanced Pyrotechnics James Burnett, Western Enterprises Stephen Vitale, Pyrotecnico Bob Deng, Lidu Fireworks Corporation, Ltd. Regulatory Authorities – ATF US DOT State Regulator Michael O’Lena, ATF Tom Dunaway, DOT (retired) Daniel Mc. Mullin, Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office Shipping Lines Yulu Hu, Hua Yang Transportation Co. , Ltd. Insurance Industry Eric Treend, Britton-Gallagher & Associates, Inc. Packaging Industry Technical Expert Graham Walsh, Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center Committee Chairman John Rogers, AFSL Executive Director 14

REQUIRMENTS OF DISPLAY FIREWORKS STANDARDS 15

Shipping Carton Stack Test Requirement 3 -2. 3. 2 Shipping cartons stacked to a minimum height of 3 meter (10 feet) must remain straight, sturdy and maintain their original shape. 16

Shipping Carton Stack Test Failure Criteria If there is a deviation of greater than 1 inch from vertical, the lot fails this test. If any box within the stack bows, compresses or otherwise becomes misshaped by greater than one inch, the lot fails this test. 17

Shipping Carton Stack Test 18

Electric Matches or Igniters Requirement 3 -1. 3 All fireworks subject to this standard must not have Electric Matches or Igniters attached to them or packaged with them in the same packaging carton. 19

Inner Packaging Requirement 3 -2. 3. 3 Inner packaging, fittings, and cushioning materials, and the placing of Display Fireworks in packages, must be such that the Display Fireworks are prevented from becoming loose in the outer packaging during transportation. 3 -2. 3. 4 Display Fireworks must be separated from each other in order to prevent friction and impact. Padding, trays, partitioning in the inner or outer packaging must be used for this purpose. 20

Shipping Carton Layers Requirement 3 -2. 4. 1 Shipping cartons containing products weighing 20 kg (44 lbs. ) or over must be manufactured from a minimum of seven (7) layers of cardboard material. 3 -2. 4. 2 Shipping cartons containing products weighing less than 20 kg (44 lbs. ) must be manufactured from a minimum of five (5) layers of cardboard material.

5 Layer Carton 22

EX Numbers Requirement 3 -2. 2. 1 EX numbers for fireworks contained in shipping cartons must be marked on the shipping carton or on shipping documents.

Covers for Rising Effects Requirement 3 -3. 2. 4 Rising effects on Shells (including: Tails, Comets, and Whistles) must be covered in a manner that does not allow any pyrotechnic composition to be exposed. NOTE: Packaging a Shell inside a plastic bag is not adequate to meet this requirement. A separate cover for the Tails, Comets, and whistles must be used.

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Pyrotechnic Leakage Requirement 3 -3. 2. 5 The construction of the items must be adequate to prevent leakage or loss of any measurable amount of pyrotechnic composition during packaging, transportation, handling and storage.

Lift Charge Chamber Attachment Requirement 3 -3. 2. 6 The Lift Charge assembly must be securely attached to the Shell to ensure that pyrotechnic composition leakage does not occur during transportation, handling, and storage.

Fuse Protection 3 -3. 3. 2 Connecting Fuses on Finale Chains must be constructed in a manner to remain free of any tearing or separation from the attached Shells and other fusing. 3 -3. 3. 3 Fuses on Display Shells must be packed in the same compartment as the Shell itself in a manner that prevents them from being located under seams. 3 -3. 3. 4 A Safety Cap must be installed over the exposed end of all Fuses attached to Display Fireworks packaged for transportation. The Safety Cap must be of a different color from that used for the paper covering of the Fuse.

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Fuse Attachment Requirement 3 -3. 3. 1 All Fuses and Leaders on Display Fireworks devices must be attached in a manner to ensure they remain securely attached during transportation, handling, and storage. 3 -3. 3. 1. 1 Fuses on Display Shells 6 inches (152 mm) and smaller, including Shells in Finale Chains, must be securely attached so that they are able support the weight of the Shell plus another Shell equal in size. 3 -3. 3. 1. 2 Fuses on Display Shells larger than 6 inches (152 mm) must be able to support the weight of the Shell plus 227 grams (8 oz. ) weight attached to the Fuse.

Orienting Loop on Display Shells 3 -3. 2. 8 All Display Shells must contain an orienting loop securely attached to the top center of the Shell to assure proper orientation of the Shell when it is inserted into the Mortar. Visually observe whether the shell contains an orienting loop. Attach an 8 -ounce (227 -gram) weight to the shell, then grasp the orienting loop and lift the shell. The orienting loop should not separate from the shell. If the orienting loop does separate, the device fails this test.

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Lowering Rope on Display Shells Requirement 3 -3. 2. 7 Display Shells larger than 6 inches must contain a Lowering Rope that is equal in length to six times the diameter of the Shell that can support two times the weight of the Shell.

Shipping Carton Markings; Warning Labels and Safety Instructions

Other Requirements a. Drop Test Documentation Review b. Thermal Review Stability Test Documentation 35

Certification of Lots ØA Security Lot ID Number will be stamped on each carton in a lot. ØEach shipping carton in an approved Lot will have an AFSL Security Sticker attached. 36

Security Smart Label 37

On-site Product Testing Ø Reporting: ØThe technician will complete a product evaluation report on-site and provide the result to factory representative. ØThe report will be provided to shipper by the next working day. ØResults will be stored in AFSL database for tracking. ØThe original reports will be distributed to the shipper monthly. Ø 38

Loading Supervision Procedures Ø Purpose: Ø Verify that only AFSL certified/approved display fireworks are loaded into shipping containers. Ø Verification of shipping documents. Ø Verify the goods are secured for transportation. 39

Loading Supervision Procedures Scheduling: Ø When the goods are ready to ship, the exporter/manufacturer will request loading supervision inspection from SGS at least 2 working days in advance. Ø AFSL certified technicians will be assigned to conduct loading supervision on scheduled date at either a consolidation warehouse or manufacture warehouse. 40

Loading Supervision Procedures Ø Reporting: ØThe final report will be issued to the client within 1 working day. ØThe report will be uploaded into the AFSL database for tracking purposes. 41

Loading Supervision Procedures Ø Failure criteria: ØProducts were not properly certified. ØUnacceptable condition of container (leakage, damaged, etc. ) ØBroken and/or damaged fireworks shipping cartons and failure of exporter to take timely corrective action. ØSGS will terminate the loading supervision inspection, the AFSL/SGS seal will not be applied and the client will be notified. 42

Participation Requirements for Importers 1. Sign an AFSL Participation Agreement. 2. Ask shippers in China to apply test on behalf of US importers. 3. Pay the test fee to Shippers, so the Shippers can pay to AFSL. 43

AFSL Commitment to Program Ø Establish two permanent seats on the Board for Display Industry members: Mike Cartolano, Melrose Pyrotechnics; Phil Grucci, Fireworks by Grucci. Ø Set aside funds for special projects to enhance safety and quality of 1. 3 G Fireworks. Ø AFSL per-case cost to Importer: US$1. 00 44

WWW. AFSL. ORG THANK YOU! 45