DISPLAY FIREWORKS FORUM

February 23, 2012

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Display Fireworks ProgramDisplay Fireworks Program

Three components:

1. Annual factory audits

2. On-site product evaluations

3. Container loading supervision

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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

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Purpose:

Ensure proper manufacturing practices are maintained.

Validation of components and packaging for display fireworks meet the requirements of the Display Fireworks Certification Program.

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Factory Audit Sections:

Quality Assurance Records Supplied Materials Quality Assurance Process Control Certification Documents

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AFSL Factory Registration Number :

Each compliant factory is assigned a unique AFSL Reg. No. related to the CIQ factory ID No.

Record of Registration Nos. maintained by AFSL.In order to maintain the Reg. No., Annual re-

Audits are required. AFSL Reg. No. will be cancelled if a non-

compliance result is obtained on any future re-Audit’s.

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

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◦15 – Passed/ Certified◦ 3 – Initially Failed (re-Audited and

Passed)◦ 4 – In process of pre-payment/

scheduling◦ 2 – Factories Unresponsive

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Purpose:

Ensure the product and packaging comply with the requirements of AFSL program.

Certify all shipping cartons with an AFSL sticker.

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Shipper submits an application for product evaluation to SGS.

Evaluation completed within 3 working days.

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Copy Available on AFSL Website.　

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Display Industry Representatives

Robert Kellner, Kellner’s FireworksStephen Pelkey, Atlas Advanced PyrotechnicsJames Burnett, Western EnterprisesStephen Vitale, PyrotecnicoBob Deng, Lidu Fireworks Corporation, Ltd.

Regulatory Authorities –ATFUS DOTState Regulator

Michael O’Lena, ATFTom Dunaway, DOT (retired)Daniel McMullin, 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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3-2.4.1 Shipping cartons containing products weighing 20kg (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 20kg (44 lbs.) must be manufactured from a minimum of five (5) layers of cardboard material.

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3-2.2.1 EX numbers for fireworks contained in shipping cartons must be marked on the shipping carton or on shipping documents.

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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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.

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.

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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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 (152mm) 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 (152mm) must be able to support the weight of the Shell plus 227 grams (8 oz.) weight attached to the Fuse.

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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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.

Other Requirementsa.Drop Test Documentation Review

b.Thermal Stability Test Documentation Review

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A Security Lot ID Number will be stamped on each carton in a lot.

Each shipping carton in an approved Lot will have an

AFSL Security Sticker attached.

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Reporting:

The technician will complete a product evaluation report on-site and provide the result to factory representative.

The report will be provided to shipper by the next working day.

Results will be stored in AFSL database for tracking.

The original reports will be distributed to the shipper monthly.

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Purpose:

Verify that only AFSL certified/approved display fireworks are loaded into shipping containers.

Verification of shipping documents. Verify the goods are secured for transportation.

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Scheduling:

When the goods are ready to ship, the exporter/manufacturer will request loading supervision inspection from SGS at least 2 working days in advance.

AFSL certified technicians will be assigned to conduct loading supervision on scheduled date at either a consolidation warehouse or manufacture warehouse.

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Reporting:

The final report will be issued to the client within 1 working day.

The report will be uploaded into the AFSL database for tracking purposes.

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Failure criteria:

Products were not properly certified.

Unacceptable condition of container (leakage, damaged, etc.)

Broken and/or damaged fireworks shipping cartons and failure of exporter to take timely corrective action.

SGS will terminate the loading supervision inspection, the AFSL/SGS seal will not be applied and the client will be notified.

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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.

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Establish two permanent seats on the Board for Display Industry members:

Mike Cartolano, Melrose Pyrotechnics;Phil Grucci, Fireworks by Grucci.

Set aside funds for special projects to enhance safety and quality of 1.3G Fireworks.

AFSL per-case cost to Importer: US$1.00

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WWW.AFSL.ORG

THANK YOU!

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