sign, but they shall meet the following test for watertightness when closed, and shall be capable of being opened and reclosed handtight to meet the same watertightness test. The materials shall be stainless steel, copper, brass, bronze, or equally corrosion-resistant to salt water and spray.

(b) Watertightness test for containers. Whenever question arises as to the watertightness of a container, the following test may be made to determine whether it is satisfactory in this respect. Open the container, remove the contents, insert colored blotting paper as a lining reclose container as tightly as possible by hand (no wrenches or special tools permitted), submerge container with top about one foot below the surface of the water for two hours, remove container from water, wipe off excess moisture on outside, then open the container and examine the blotting paper and entire interior for evidence of moisture penetraton. If any moisture or water is evidenced the container is not satisfactory. (c) Marking of container. Containers shall be embossed or bear a brass or equivalent corrosion-resistant name plate, or otherwise be suitably and permanently marked, to plainly show in letters not less than 1⁄2" high the following Fording: "Hand combination flare and smoke distress signals." No additional marking which might cause confusion as to the contents shall be permitted. Note: The vessel's name is required to be painted or branded on equipment such as this Container by other regulations, and nothing this subpart shall be construed as prohibiting same.

CGFR 47-51, 12 F.R. 7079, Oct. 31, 1947] 160.023-7 Procedure for approval.

(a) General. Hand combination flare and smoke distress signals for use on Terchant vessels are approved only by The Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, Washington, D.C., 20226. Correspondence pertaining to the subject matter of this specification shall be addressed to the Commander of the Coast Guard District in which the factory is located.

b) Manufacturer's plans and specifisations. In order to obtain approval, submit detailed plans and specifications cluding a complete bill of material, sembly drawing, and parts drawings descriptive of the arrangement and construction of the signal, to the Com

mander of the Coast Guard District in which the factory is located. Each drawing shall have an identifying drawing number, date, and an identification of the signals; and the general arrangement or assembly drawing shall include a list of all drawings applicable, together with drawing numbers and alteration numbers. The alterations shall be noted with the date of alteration or new drawing numbers and dates shall be assigned. At the time of selection of the preapproval sample, the manufacturer shall furnish to the inspector four copies of all plans and specifications, corrected as may be required, for forwarding to the Commandant.

(c) Preapproval sample. After the first drawings and specifications have been examined and found to appear satisfactory, the manufacturer will be advised as to any corrections or additions which are necessary. A marine inspector then will be detailed to the factory to observe the production facilities and manufacturing methods and to select at random from not less than 50 signals already manufactured, a sample of not less than 24 specimens which will be forwarded prepaid by the manufacturer to the Commandant for the necessary conditioning and tests in accordance with § 160.023-4 to determine compliance for qualification for type or brand approval for use on merchant vessels. Costs of these tests of the preapproval sample shall be borne by the manufacturer.

[CGFR 47-51, 12 F.R. 7079, Oct. 31, 1947, as amended by CGFR 62-17, 27 F.R. 9044, Sept. 11, 1962; CGFR 65-16, 30 F.R. 10898, Aug. 21, 1965]

Subpart 160.024-Signals, Distress, Pistol - Projected Parachute Red Flare, for Merchant Vessels

AUTHORITY NOTE: The provisions of this Subpart 160.024 interpret or apply R.S. 4417a, as amended, 4426, as amended, 4488, as amended, 4491, as amended, secs. 1, 2, 49 Stat. 1544, 1545, as amended, sec. 3, 54 Stat. 347, as amended, sec. 3, 68 Stat. 675; 46 U.S.C. 391a, 404, 481, 489, 367, 1333, 50 U.S.C. 198; E.O. 11239; Treasury Department Orders 120, July 31, 1950, 15 F.R. 6521; 167-14, Nov. 26, 1954, 19 F.R. 8026; 167-20, June 18, 1956, 21 F.R. 4894; 167-38, Oct. 26, 1959, 24 F.R. 8857.

SOURCE: The provisions of this Subpart 160.024 contained in CGFR 54-16, 19 F.R. 4940, Aug. 6, 1954, unless otherwise noted.

§ 160.024-1 Applicable specifications and plans.

(a) Specification. The following specification, of the issue in effect on the date pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals are manufactured, forins a part of this subpart:

(1) Coast Guard Specification 160.028Signal Pistols.

(b) Plans. The following plans, of the issue in effect on the date pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals are manufactured, form a part of this subpart:

(1) Drawing No. 160.028-2 (A)-Signal pistol, chamber and bore dimensions.

(2) Drawing No. 160.024-6 (A)-Container for signal pistol and pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals.

(c) Copies on file. Copies of the specification and plans referred to in this section shall be kept on file by the manufacturer, together with the approved plans and certificate of approval. The Coast Guard specification and drawings may be obtained upon request from the Commandant, United States Coast Guard, Washington, D.C., 20226.

CGFR 54-16, 19 F.R. 4940, Aug. 6, 1954, as amended by CGFR 65-16, 30 F.R. 10898, Aug. 21 1965]

§ 160.024-2 Type.

(a) Pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals specified by this subpart shall be of one type which shall consist essentially of a cartridge having centered primer, propelling charge, and projectile consisting of a case, delay element, expelling charge, and pyrotechnic candle attached to a parachute by shroud lines; the cartridge to be of such dimensions that it can be fitted into and fired from a signal pistol with chamber and bore dimensions within the limits provided by Drawing No. 160.028-2(A). § 160.024-3 Materials, workmanship,

construction, and performance requirements.

(a) Materials. The materials used in pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals shall conform strictly to the specifications and drawings submitted by the manufacturer and approved by the Commandant. In general, all metallic parts shall be corrosion-resistant or properly protected against corrosion.

(b) Workmanship. Pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals shall be of first class workmanship and shall

be free from imperfections of manufacture affecting their appearance or that may affect their serviceability.

(c) Construction. The exterior case of the cartridge shall be made of suitable metal and shall protect against the entrance of moisture. The projectile case and delay element shall be so constructed as to prevent any possibility of the propelling charge blowing by and causing premature ejection of the projectile contents. The shoulder of the base of the cartridge shall be between .090 inch and .105 inch in thickness. The centered primer shall be set below the surface of the base between .010 inch and .020 inch.

(d) Performance. Signals shall meet all of the inspection and test requirements contained in § 160.024-4.

[CGFR 54-16, 19 F.R. 4940, Aug. 6, 1954, as amended by CGFR 62-17, 27 F.R. 9044, Sept. 11, 1962]

§ 160.024-4

Sampling, inspections, conditioning, and tests.

(a) Classification of tests. The methods of sampling, inspections, and tests conducted upon signals shall be considered as falling within one of the following general classifications:

(1) Qualification (type or brand approval) tests;

(2) Production check tests (at place of manufacture); and,

(3) Production check tests (at a Government laboratory).

(b) Qualification (type or brand approval) tests. Pre-approval samples, selected in accordance with § 160.024-7 (c), shall be tested in accordance with the testing schedule indicated by subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph to determine qualification for type or brand approval. The cost of the tests shall be borne by the manufacturer.

(1) Operational tests. (i) Subject 18 specimens to water resistance conditioning, paragraph (d), of this section, following which subject them to tests as indicated by Table 160.024-4 (b) (1) (i). TABLE 160.024-4 (b) (1) (i)

centage of failure

75

Failure to elect projectile contents Failure to ignite pyrotechnic candle. Failure of parachute to open completely

Altitude at least 70 percent but less than 80 percent of that required. Altitude at least 80 percent but less than 90 percent of that required Altitude at least 90 percent but less than 100 percent of that required. Average rate of descent greater than 4 times maximum permitted. Average rate of descent less than 4 but greater than 3 times maximum permitted.

Average rate of descent less than 3

but greater than 2 times maxirum permitted.

Average rate of descent less than twice but greater than maximum permitted.

Burning time less than 70 percent of that required.

Burning time at least 70 percent but less than $0 percent of that required.

Burning time at least 80 percent but less than 90 percent of that required.

Burning time at least 90 percent but less than 100 percent of that required.

Average candlepower less than 70 percent of that required.

Average candlepower at least 70 percent but less than 80 percent of that required.

75

(c) Sampling, inspections, and test of signals from production lots. The production of pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals produced under an official type or brand approval shall be checked for compliance with this specification in the manner set forth below:

(1) Lot size and sampling procedure. For purposes of sampling the production of pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals, a lot shall consist of not more than 3,000 signals. A new lot shall be started with any change or modification in raw materials or manufacturing methods. Lots shall be numbered serially by the manufacturer, and the lot number shall be plainly and indelibly marked on the cartridge case of each signal in the lot. A marine inspector shall select at random from each lot a sample consisting of 18 specimen signals for inspection, conditioning, and testing at the place of manufacture.

(2) Inspections (at the place of manufacture). The marine inspector shall be admitted to the place of manufacture and shall familiarize himself with the various operations involved in the manufacturing process and, from observation during manufacture, satisfy himself that pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals are being made in general accordance with this subpart and of materials and parts conforming strictly with the specifications and drawings submitted by the manufacturer and approved by the Commandant. Specimens or samplings of materials entering into construction may be taken at random, either in the raw material state or during manufacture, by the marine inspector and tests made for compliance with applicable requirements. The test specimens comprising the sample, selected in accordance with subparagraph (1) of this

paragraph shall be examined by the marine inspector for surface defects.

(3) Production check tests (at the place of manufacture). The manufacturer shall provide a suitable place and the necessary apparatus for the use of the marine inspector in conducting such production check tests as are done at the place of manufacture. Samples from production lots, selected in accordance with subparagraph (1) of this paragraph shall be tested at the place of manufacture in accordance with the testing schedule provided by paragraph (b) (1) of this section. Any unusual discrepancies shall be considered cause for obtaining an additional sample consisting of 24 specimen signals for tests at a Government laboratory as provided in subparagraph (4) of this paragraph.

(4) Production check tests (at a Government laboratory). Tests at a Government laboratory shall be made on not less than one sample from each 10 production lots of signals, or not less than once in each year, whichever occurs more frequently. Sampling and inspection shall be made at the place of manufacture as provided by subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this paragraph, except that the sample shall consist of 24 specimen signals and shall be in addition to the specimen signals which are tested at the place of manufacture. The sample shall be forwarded prepaid by the manufacturer to the Commandant. Tests at the Government laboratory shall be conducted in accordance with paragraph (b) (1) and (2) of this section. Failure to meet the requirements shall be cause for discontinuing further production check tests at the place of manufacture until retests of new samples at a Government laboratory show correction of the deficiency found.

(d) Conditioning of test specimens― water resistance. Immerse specimen horizontally with uppermost portion of the signal approximately one inch below the surface of the water for a period of 24 hours. The test specimen shall function properly after this conditioning.

(e) Firing and operating characteristics. Signals shall fire and operate satisfactorily when shot from a pistol of the type described in Subpart 160.028. The parachute and pyrotechnic candle shall be ejected at approximately the maximum altitude reached by the projectile case. The parachute shall open and properly suspend the pyrotechnic candle without fouling. The pyrotech

nic candle shall burn with uniform intensity and without damaging the parachute, shrouds, or leader line.

(f) Altitude. The altitude reached by a signal is considered to be the height at which the parachute and pyrotechnic candle are ejected from the projectile case, as determined by visual observation against an object of known height, such as a tower or balloon, or by triangulation from two or more points of observation, or by other method satisfactory to the Commandant. The altitude reached shall be not less than 150 feet.

(g) Rate of descent. The rate of descent of a signal is considered to be the calculated average rate obtained by dividing the altitude by the time of descent to the surface. The rate of descent shall not exceed 6 feet per second.

(h) Burning time. The burning time of the pyrotechnic candle shall be obtained by stop watch measurement from the time positive flame is emitted until it ceases. The burning time shall be not less than 30 seconds.

(i) Candlepower. The candlepower of each pyrotechnic candle tested shall be measured by a visual photometer or equivalent photometric device while the specimen is supported in a horizontal position and the photometer is at right angles to the axis of the specimen. Visual candlepower readings shall be observed and recorded at approximately 5second intervals during the burning of the specimen. The minimum photometric distance shall be 10 feet. Recording photometers shall have a chart speed of at least 4 inches per minute. The candlepower of the specimen shall be computed as the arithmetical average of the readings recorded. The average luminous intensity of a specimen shall be not less than 20,000 candlepower.

(j) Elevated temperature, humidity, and storage. Place specimen in a thermostatically controlled even-temperature oven held at 90° C. with not less than 90 percent relative humidity for 72 hours. Remove specimen and store at room temperature (20° to 25° C.) with approximately 65 percent relative humidity for 10 days. If for any reason it is not possible to operate the oven continuously for the 72-hour period, it may be operated at the required temperature and humidity for 8 hours out of each 24 during the 72-hour conditioning period. Total of 24 hours on and 48 hours off.) The signal shall not ignite or decompose during this conditioning. The signal

shall fire and operate satisfactorily following this conditioning.

(k) Spontaneous ignition. Place the specimen in a thermostatically controlled even-temperature oven held at 75° C. for 48 consecutive hours. Signals shall not ignite or undergo marked decomposition.

(1) Chromaticity. In order to determine that light from the specimen may be termed "vivid red" (ISCC-NBS method of designating colors, RP1239), two identical test plates of white cardbcard 12" x 24" are used. Except for a negligible amount of stray daylight, the first test plate is illuminated by light from the specimen placed at a distance of about 5 feet. The second test plate is illuminated only by light from an incandescent lamp operated at a color temperature close to 2,448° K. at a distance of about one foot. The first test plate is viewed directly, the second through combinations of Lovibond red, yellow, and blue glasses selected so as to approximate a chromaticity match. By separating the test plates by a wide unMuminated area (subtending at the observer about 45°) it is possible to make determinations of chromaticity in terms of the standard I. C. I. diagram (mixture diagram according to the 1931 International Commission on Illumination Standard Observer and Coordinate System) with an uncertainty in x or y not greater than 0.005, in spite of fluctuations in candlepower of the specimen by factors as high as 2 or 3. The light shall be vivid red, i. e., show values in terms of the I. C. I. Standard Observer and Coordinate System of not less than 0.61 for the z-coordinate and not more than 034 for the y-coordinate for any of the determinations made during the positive fame emitting period.

m) Lot acceptance or rejection. When the marine inspector has satisfied himself that the pistol-projected parachute red flare distress signals in the lot are of a type officially approved in the name of the manufacturer and meet the requirements set forth in this subpart, each of the smallest packing cartons or boxes (usually containing che dozen signals) in which the signals are sealed prior to shipment, shall be plainly marked with the words: "Inspected and Passed, (date), (port), Inspector's initials, U. S. C. G." A lot shall be rejected when the average percentage of failure. as computed by the table shown in paragraph (b) (1) of this sec

66-101-67-6

is received by the marine inspector that specimen signals have failed to meet the requirements of the production check tests at a Government laboratory, further production check tests at the place of manufacture shall be discontinued until retests of adjusted samples show correction of the deficiency found. Signals from rejected lots may, when permitted by the marine inspector, be reworked by the manufacturer to correct the deficiency for which they were rejected and be resubmitted for official inspection. Signals from rejected lots may not, unless subsequently accepted, be sold or offered for sale under representation as being in compliance with this specification or as being approved for use on merchant vessels.

[CGFR 54-16, 19 F.R. 4940, Aug. 6, 1954, as amended by CGFR 58-31, 23 F.R. 6885, Sept. 6, 1958]

USE ONLY WHEN AIR CRAFT OR VESSEL IS SIGHTED

DIRECTIONS-Fire upward from signal pistol (Month and year manufactured) Lot No. Manufactured by (Name and address of manufacturer)

U. S. COAST GUARD APPROVAL NO.
for merchant vessels

(b) Other marking. On each pistolprojected parachute red flare distress signal there shall be die-stamped, in figures not less than 8 inch high, on each integral part of the cartridge, numbers indicating the month and year of manufacture, thus: "6-54" indicating June, 1954. The pyrotechnic candle shall be legibly marked with the month and year of manufacture. In addition to any other marking placed on the smallest packing carton or box containing cartridges, each carton or box shall be plainly and permanently marked to show the month and year of manufacture and lot number.