TY - RPRT A1 - von Oertzen, Alexander A1 - Myatt, S. A1 - Chapman, D. A1 - Webb, R. A1 - v. Rooijen, M. P. A1 - Colpa, W. A1 - de Jong, E.G. A1 - de Ruiter, J. T1 - CHAF Workpackage 4 Report - Literature review of fireworks compositions, propagation mechanisms, storage legislation and environmental effects N2 - This report is a literature review of the current state of knowledge of fireworks and fireworks hazards. It presents work to meet Deliverables D4-1 (types and compositions of fireworks Articles), D4-2 (Functioning mechanism of and between fireworks articles), D4-3 (Storage and transport regulations in EU countries) and D4-4 (The effect of fireworks on health and the environment) of the CHAF work program. Firework compositions are discussed in the first section. This leads to an understanding of the variability in performance of various types of fireworks. Compositions used in report effects are highlighted as being the most energetic while other compositions are seen as providing a much lesser hazard in mass storage of fireworks. Individual types of firework are examined. Large devices such as report shells are identified as posing the largest hazard in bulk storage. Lesser, but still significant, hazards are predicted for similar compositions in Roman candles and rockets. Gradations in hazard are identified corresponding to UN hazard divisions 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4. The second section reports the literature relating to the functioning mechanism of and between fireworks articles. In this the major propagation mechanisms for fireworks compositions are examined. The main stimuli identified are: fragment impact, heat and shock wave, each of which can lead to the functioning of pyrotechnic composition in the article or in an adjacent article leading to large-scale initiation. Consideration of the pyrotechnic compositions leads to a different ranking for the three mechanisms with different fireworks types. Thus with a report composition containing a metal/perchlorate mixture shock initiation is seen to be the main propagation mechanism. Such a mechanism is likely to afford a mass explosion. At a lesser hazard, blackpowder-based compositions are reported to be more likely to propagate via a flame mechanism. This is less likely to produce a mass explosion. National legislation concerning the storage of fireworks for many European countries is considered in the third section. Many of the national regulations are based on a cube root of explosives content to determine "safety distances", often written as Q1/3. Different multiplying factors are then applied depending on the type of adjacent site (production buildings, residential housing, roads etc.). Commonly 22Q1/3 is used for residential dwellings. Special provisions are enacted in many countries either to allow lesser distances or in some cases to increase the safety distances depending on the perceived hazard or extenuating circumstances. The final section deals with the environmental hazards posed by the use of fireworks. Toxic effects of the materials used in the manufacture and the likely reaction products from functioning fireworks are highlighted. These range from heavy metal poisoning from metals present for their colour effect to respiratory problems due to pyrotechnic fume (both particulate and gaseous). Finally, noise pollution is considered. While there is a short term problem from pyrotechnic fume at times of high usage (national celebrations) there is no literature evidence, as yet, of long term detriment to the environment. PY - 2003 UR - http://www.pyrobin.com/files/european%20firework%20testing%20reports,%20bam%20etc.pdf IS - EVG1-CT-2002-00074 CHAF SP - 1 EP - 104 PB - HSE - Health and Safety Executive CY - Sheffield, UK AN - OPUS4-2594 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -