Properties of AP motors
Bob Chmara
properties of AP motors for my city Fire Marshall. The goal is to persuade
him to grant me a variance with regard to storing restricted access motors
in an appropriate magazine in my attached garage.
In previous conversations, he struck me as reasonable. I think he would
consider granting the variance if I could demonstrate that AP composite
rocket motors presented little risk of an explosion.
If anyone has any info, ideas or suggestions, or you could direct me to some
reading material or info on the internet, I'd appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Bob Chmara
NAR HUVARS TRA Team1 L2
http://www.chmara.com/bt/rocketry
(remove SPAMFREE for personal replies)
Andrew Waddell
their website, or phone)? I'm sure they'd have plenty of data that might be
of use to you. You might also want to check the Resource Library on the
Aerotech site.
--
Andrew D. Waddell
PML Online Support Rep
TRA 2043 L2/NAR 52875 L2
Email: ADWa...@home.com
PML: www.publicmissiles.com
Bob Chmara <b...@mindseye-incSPAMFREE.com> wrote in message
news:7i9o67$b4n$1...@denws02.mw.mediaone.net...
Ed
flair mfg. Then demo both for him. They both burn as aggressively in
open air. Ask the Fire Marshall what differences he see's, if any, as to
storage.
....Ed
JimCook
(2) Reloads just burn furiously, they don't explode or become propulsive
(unlike single use motors or spray cans)
-J
Andrew Waddell
acceptance or denial of those (in your mind) to your final presentation,
online resources you find, discussions, etc. Basically, write down
everything you discover along the way so the rest of the rocketry community
can benefit from your experience when it's all said and done.
--
Andrew D. Waddell
PML Online Support Rep
TRA 2043 L2/NAR 52875 L2
Email: ADWa...@home.com
PML: www.publicmissiles.com
Ed <edr...@erols.com> wrote in message news:3748B876...@erols.com...
Ted Cochran
<b...@mindseye-incSPAMFREE.com> wrote:
>I'd like to put together an informative presentation regarding the
>properties of AP motors for my city Fire Marshall. The goal is to persuade
>him to grant me a variance with regard to storing restricted access motors
>in an appropriate magazine in my attached garage.
....
>
>If anyone has any info, ideas or suggestions, or you could direct me to some
>reading material or info on the internet, I'd appreciate the help.
>
Fire Marshalls tend to be influenced by local codes, which are in turn
derived from national codes, which are developed by three competing
organizations. Makes almost as much sense as, well, never mind.
Anyway, you're in Michigan, right?
As I understand it from http://www.sbcci.org/influence.htm, you're in an
area in which either the Uniform Fire Code or the National Fire Code, or
parts of both, is used. So the first step is to get a copy of whatever
applies in your particular area. These are usually available in your
local library (check in the reference section where all the state and
local laws and regs are. Be sure to get a recent copy--UFC is 1997,
IIRC). The national codes may be modified by the states or cities as they
see fit, but it should be easy to find out in your local library as well.
SInce you have a good feeling about the fire marshall, you could just ask
him what codes apply.
The Uniform Fire Code applies to me, and while it can be read as very
restrictive, there is a nice escape clause up front which says in effect
that for any situation not specifically addressed by the code, compliance
with any adopted NFPA standard will be accepted. High power rocket motors
are NOT addressed by the code, only explosives. Explosives aren't defined
well, so if the FM wants to use that section of the code, it will have to
apply to 1/4A model rockets too.
This leads you to NFPA 1127, the code for High power rocket motors, which
specifically permits attached garage storage, no variance required. (BATF
is another issue, natch). So, IMO the approach to take is to find the
language in the code that lets you appeal to NFPA 1127 as the governing
code in your area. If that is not possible, the fact that NFPA 1127
exists, is adopted, and permits attached garage storage of motors should
at least be good info to support a variance application.
So you need a copy of NFPA 1127 (NARTS has it, it is expensive but worth
it to be able to cite chapter and verse). A copy of your local code (UFC
or whatever).
MSDS sheets are available on line in the well stocked reference section of
the Aerotech web site, as are the DOT letters which permit properly packed
materials to be treated as e.g., flammable solids or 1.4C, depending on
what it is to begin with. This doesn't apply to storage, but is again
evidence of the general safety of the product, when DOT permits it to be
shipped in mass quantities all over the country in UPS trucks.
The point made elsewhere in this thread about similarity to road flares is
a good one. Also note the autoignition temperature (high) and the lack of
detonation hazard (implicit in the 1.3c/1.4c rating and in the UN code
definitions.)
Good luck,
--tc
My opinions only.
Jackbearjr
is all about. Talk through the safety code as you do it. I did this with the
county EMA director, explained I was going by NFPA 1127, and he helped me with
the Fire Marshall.
Jack W. Kale, Jr. NAR #70384 Insured, Tripoli #5798 Level 2 March 16, 1998
Timmy, you can't take it with you, so if you have a sandwich and your blue
jeans, chill. Your old man, Paul. (1st century, paraphrased)