PYROTECHNICS

PYROTECHNICS - Is an art of making fireworks

• PYRO – derived from the Greek word “PUR” – means heat.
• TECHNICS – means Art or Skill

MILITARY PYROTECHNICS
1. ILLUMINATION - An act of covering the movement of troops by means of light or
bright color.
2. SIGNALING - A recognized sign by giving information, distress signal or an order.
3. SIMULATION – A superficial resemblance of a real equipment.

COMPLETE ROUND – pyrotechnics are usually issued in the form of complete

rounds, each consisting of all the elements necessary for firing once. Components of
large aircraft pyrotechnics (photoflash and target-identification bombs, etc) are
issued separately and assembled in the field.

IGNITION TRAIN
Pyrotechnics generally functions by means of an ignition train, similar to the
explosive train of other ammunition. The train is initiated by means of a percussion
friction or electric primer. The flame produced on initiation is transmitted successively
to a propelling charge, delay element, expelling charge & pyrotechnic composition.

COMPOSITION
• OXIDIZERS – such as chlorates, peroxides, chromates and nitrates that
provide some oxygen for burning. Pyrotechnic compositions may not always
contain sufficient oxygen for burning and, in such cases, must used oxygen
from the air.

• FUELS - Such as aluminum, magnesium powder, sulfur, lactose and

oxidizable materials.

• BINDERS - Such as water proofing agents, such as asphalt, shellac linseed

oil, resins resonates and paraffin, are still being use in limited quantities. They
are gradually being replaced, however, by newer polymeric materials, such as
epoxy and polyester resins and synthetic rubber.

• ORGANIC DYES OR INORGANIC SALTS - are used to produced colored

smokes.
 • COLOR INTENSIFIERS, such as polyvinyl chloride, hexachlorbenze, and
other organic chlorides.

TWO (2) GENERAL TYPE OF PYRO SMOKE COMPOSITIONS:

1. Those that burn with practically no flame but with the information of a dense
colored smoke as a product of combustion.
2. Those that burn at a temperature so low that an organic dye in a composition
will only volatilize and color the smoke, rather than burn.

IDENTIFICATION
• by markings (in black) on the item.
• by bands or patches in the color of the signal produced.
• The top of the launcher-type ground signal is painted the color of the signal
and is also marked with two embossed letter for identification in the dark.
• Overhead flares and those substitute composition, assigned to training, have
a 2-inch blue band stenciled around the body.
• They may also be stenciled FOR TRAINING USE ONLY. Certain aircraft
flares have the word FRONT stenciled on the front case.

PROJECTION
1. Mechanical equipment, mounted in an aircraft, or pyrotechnic pistol is usually
required to launch or project aircraft pyrotechnics.
2. Signals that are fired from the ground are either hand-held or projected from the
following:
a. Pyrotechnic protector or pistols.
b. Small arms rifles equipped with grenade launchers and special blank
cartridges.
c. Hand-held expendable launchers that form part of the signal assembly for
rocket assisted signals.
d. Manually operated (lanyard-type) ground signal projectors mounted on staff-
like supports that are anchored to the ground by spikes.

3. The white smoke charge is fired from a smoke-puff discharge, powder from the
charge, which is ignited by a smoke-puff percussion cap, serves as the
propellant.
4. The gun simulator is fired from a steel firing tube embedded in earth or sand
bags, some simulators burn in place, others are thrown by hand.

(TYPES AND COMPARATIVE SIZES OF MILITARY PYROTECHNICS)

CLASSIFICATION OF PYROTECHNICS
1. ACCORDING TO PURPOSE
• ILLUMINANTS 2. ACCORDING TO USE
• SIGNALS • AIRCRAFT
• SIMULATORS • GROUND

PRINCIPAL FACTORS CONTROLLING VISIBILITY OF PYROTECHNICS

1. FACTORS OF DESIGN (Include)
a. Luminous intensity (candle power)
b. Color (hue and degree of color saturation) and
c. Degree of separation of a composite signal.

2. FACTORS OF POSITION (Include)

a. Heights at which the flare or signal function
b. Distance of observer from signal
c. Distance of flare from object to be illuminated
d. Background
e. Relative position of flare
f. Object and observer

3. NATURAL CONDITION OF LIGHT AND ATMOSPHERE (are influenced by)

a. Degree of natural illumination
b. Color and brightness of the sky, and
c. Clarity of the atmosphere as affected by presence of haze, fog, dust, smoke
rain or snow.

PYROTECH TYPES AND CANDLEPOWER

TYPES OF PYROTECHNIC
• Flares
• Signals
• Photoflash cartridge and
• Items designated for various kinds of training.
PURPOSE:

• FLARES - are designed to provide a strong light to illuminate terrain for

various air and ground tactical operations for an appreciable period. Types
include aircraft flares (projected form aircraft, ground flares), used on, or
projected from, the ground-guide flares & ignition flares.

• SIGNALS - are designed for both aircraft and ground use for various types of
signaling in tactically and protective operations.

• PHOTO-FLASH CARTRIDGES - are designed for use in connection with

aerial photography during reconnaissance missions.

• PYROTECHNIC TRAINING ITEMS - are used as targets for anti aircraft

gunnery practice and to simulate combat conditions for troop training.

TYPES OF FLARES:

1. Aircraft flares - provide illumination for target marking, battle-field

visibility, reconnaissance, observation, bombardment, landing and practice
firing for anti aircraft, flakes vary from model to model.

Characteristics of flare illumination:

Detail of flares vary from model to model. Flares for illumination

have some characteristics in common.

a. Candlepower - flares produce white or colored light of intensities

ranging from 60,000 candle power for 1 minute to 3,000,000 candle for
3 minutes.
b. Parachutes - most flares are parachute-supported to retard speed of
fall and provide a longer interval of illumination.
c. Ignition - all flares have a form of delayed ignition to assure their
clearing the aircraft or reaching a specified altitude before starting to
burn. Delayed ignition is effected by a mechanical time fuze, a quick
match, or delay fuse initiated by the pressure which occurs when the
parachute opens. Another method depends upon an expelling charge
which concurrently ejects the candle and parachute assembles from
the flares case and initiates the ignition train.

2. Ground flare – are designed for illumination of aircraft landings in

emergency fields for lighting airports in case of power failure or to warn of
attempted infiltration by enemy troops.

EXAMPLES OF GROUND FLARE/S

a. Airport flare – a 20-pound, cylinder charge for illuminant (candle)
encased in a zinc-sheathed, box-board tube fitted with a means of
ignition. It urns with a yellow flame visible for 5 to 7 minutes at a
distance of 20 to 30 miles, depending up atmospheric conditions.
 b. Red fusee – a 20-minute, red-fire candle, used to outline airport
boundaries.

c. Surface trip flares – resembles antipersonnel mines or hand

grenades. Used primarily to warn of infiltrating troops by illuminating
the field. They are also employed as signals and may be used as
booby traps.

4. Guide flares – are electrically ignited flares intended for use with bombs.
The red, green and white flares are similar, except for color markings and
candlepower. They burn for 45 to 60 seconds and produce from 650,000
to 900,000 CP.

5. Ramjet Engine Igniters – are electrically ignited pyro items used to ignite
fuel-oil mixtures in ramjet engines of guided missiles.

6. Tracking flares – are used in tracking the path of guided missiles. They
have nominal burning rate 75 to 95 seconds with 70,000 to 150,000 CP.

SIGNALS - are designed to produce light of various intensities, duration and color,
smoke of various colors and densities; sound of various degrees, or any combination
of these. It may consist of a single parachute supported star or a number of free-
falling star or cluster of various colors. Smoke signals are usually of the slow
burning type designed to leave trails of smoke.

TYPES OF SIGNALS

1. TACTICAL AIRCRAFT SIGNAL

Aircraft signals used directly in connection with combat operations were
originally intended for air-to-air or air-to-ground signaling. However, since the
introduction of pyrotechnics pistols and hand-held pyrotechnic projectors, aircraft
signals have been used by ground to air signaling. Single star signals, double-
star signals and tracer-double-star signals contain green, red or yellow candles or
pyrotechnic composition. Stars maybe distinguished at distance approximately 5
miles at night & 2 – 3 miles in daylight. Total burning time is 7-13 seconds for
both single-star and double-star signals.

2. DISTRESS SIGNALS
Marine signals, generally used for distress signaling produce illumination
(stars) for night use, a brilliant orange smoke for day use, or a combination of
stars and smoke for either day or night use. Marine signals generally small
enough to be carried in the pocket of life vests, flight suites or life rafts.

3. DRIFT SIGNALS, MARKERS AND LIGHTS

These devices aid in navigation of aircraft over water by providing a
stationary reference point. They are also used to mark the location for emergency
landing at night. The signals contain a pyrotechnic candle that ignite on impact.
Floating nose down, the signal emit flame and smoke from the tail. Drift signals
and markers are thrown overboard from an aircraft.
TYPES OF DRIFT SIGNALS

1. STICK MARKER
Is for daytime used and contains a 2 ¼ pound cylinder of uramine,
soluble dye salt in brittle plastic case. The yellowish-green fluorescent slick
persist for at least 2 hours and can be seen 10 miles away from an altitude of
3,000 feet.

2. NIGHT DRIFT SIGNALS

Identified as aircraft smoke and illumination signals, produce flame and
smoke which can be observed on a clear day for a distance of 6-7 miles. A
representative signal has a flat-faced, metal tail fin assembly. The body
contains from 1-3 candle units which burn from 180 to 900 seconds,
depending on the model.

3. AIRCRAFT FLOAT LIGHT

Provides a long burning surface marker for night or day use. It may be
thrown overboard from an aircraft or launched from wing racks. The signal
contains four, 3-unit pyro candles which emit flame and smoke through a
whole in the base of the body.

GROUND SIGNALS
• Grenade-launcher signals are projected from a launcher attached to
rifle M16 or M14. A propelling charge in the signal supplement a special
blank cartridge (standard grenade cartridge) supplied with the signal, to
attain the required altitude. The signals rises to the height feet of 600-700
before functioning.

PHOTOFLASH CARTRIDGES
Are fired from electrically powered projectors, are used in connection with
aerial photography during reconnaissance.

TYPES:
1. SERVICE CARTRIDGE – consist of an electrically primed cartridge case
containing a cased photoflash charge and delay fuse assembly, and a
small propelling charge.
2. PRACTICE CARTRIDGE – consist of a solid, inert unit and a small
propelling charge in an electrically primed cartridge case.

TRAINING PYROTECHNICS
Used as training devices include tow-target flares aircraft parachute flares,
photoflash cartridge, and a variety of simulators.

SIMULATORS
Are used to create the effect of specific items of ammunition.
PRIMARY TYPES OF SIMULATORS
1. AIRBUST SIMULATORS
– used with a smoke puff discharger, simulates the burst of an artillery
projectile near the ground by producing puff of white smoke.
2. BOOBYTRAP SIMULATOR
– is used during maneuvers and troop training. This device provides
training in installation and use of booby traps. When triggered, the
simulator functions with a loud report and flash.
3. GROUND BURST SIMULATOR
– is used to create battle noise and effects during troop maneuvers, it
produces high- pitched whistle which last 2-4 seconds. In exploding it
produces a flash and loud report.
4. ARTILLERY FLASH SIMULATOR
– produces a flash, a puff of smoke, and a loud report. Its flash is similar
to that of 90mm guns and 155mm howitzers. This simulators is issued to
train artillery observers and may actually be employed in forward combat
area as a decoy.
5. HAND GRENADE SIMULATOR
– provides battle noises and effects during troop maneuvers. It is thrown
in the same manner as a live grenade and creates a loud report and flash
5-10 seconds after ignition.
6. EXPLOSIVE SIMULATOR
– is used in boobytraps, landmine detection and deactivation training
program. It is used to simulate hand grenade, boobytraps, landmine and
rifle or artillery fire.

CARE AND PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING

a. pyrotechnic compositions are particularly susceptible to deterioration by
moisture.
b. They are especially hazardous since they ignite more readily than other
types of HE.
c. (Flare) avoid damage to fiber cases and trip cords located outside casing
of certain types of flare.
d. (Flare) before lead wire of electrically ignited flares are connected, assure
that there is no electrical energy in electrical circuit.
e. (Signal) guard against blows to primer, which could ignite signal.
f. (Photoflash cartridge) do not remove shunt cap from cartridge until just
prior to loading cartridge into projector.

PRECAUTION IN FIRING
a. Fire in such a manner that burning material or burned out signals will not
fall on friendly personnel, into boxes of pyro or on other ammo. Exercise
case when firing through trees or other obstruction.
b. Anticipate heavy recoil when firing projected pyro (except rocket-propelled
ground signals).
c. Observe safety precautions in firing pyro like safety precaution in firing
ammo.
REPUBLIC ACT NR 7183

“AN ACT REGULATING THE SALE, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION AND USE

OF FIRECRACKERS AND OTHER PYROTECHNIC DEVICES”

TYPES OF FIRECRACKERS
• Baby Rocket
• Bawang
• Small Triangulo
• Pulling of Strings
• Paper Caps
• El Diablo
• Judah’s Belt
• Sky Rocket (Kwitis)
• Other types equivalent to the foregoing in explosives content.
• Sparklers
• Luces
• Fountain
• Jumbo Regular and Special
• Mabuhay
• Roman Candle
• Trompillo
• Airwolf
• Whistle Device
• Butterfly
• All kinds of pyrotechnic devices (Pailaw)

PROHIBITED TYPES OF FIRECRACKERS AND PYROTECHNIC DEVICES

Net explosives content of more than 1/3 teaspoon, in which the technically safe
equivalent of it is not more than 0.2 gram as per study of DOST.

Likewise, firecrackers which fuse has a burning time of less than three (3) seconds
and more than six (6) seconds are not allowed as these could pose danger to the
user.

KINDS OF LICENSES AND ITS REQUIREMENTS

• Manufacturer’s License
• Dealer’s License