Attachment_C_-_CA_Igniter_Flares_Specifications_2020.doc

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Specification Automatic Ignition Fusees (5 & 10 Minute Fusees, Item numbers 0005 & 0010)

And

Manual Automatic Ignition Chamber (MICA, item number 9800) 1.0

SCOPE

This specification defines the requirement for the procurement by the State of California Department of Transportation of (i) 5 AND 10 minute automatic ignition fusees/flares (Igniter Flares) used as an emergency highway warning device for the purpose of diverting traffic on highways and informing moving vehicle traffic to stay out of hazardous traffic areas; and (ii) the manual automatic ignition chamber (MICA), which is affixed to a deployment tube designed and constructed by the State of California Department of Transportation (DOT), to deploy the Igniter Flares.

2.0

STANDARDS REFERENCED

Underwriter Laboratories Highway Emergency Signals, UL 912 for Fusees. While Igniter Flares are not specifically referenced in UL 912, all product specifications and testing required by UL 912 shall apply to the Igniter Flares except that the specialized cap used to ignite Igniter Flares and unique deployment of Igniter Flares renders certain sections of UL 912 non-applicable, including the following:

· Section 24.1. There is no “ignition by friction”.

· Section 25.1. The cap used on Igniter Flares has different dimensions and functionality than the one on a regular flare/fusee.

· Section 25.2. The cap on Igniter Flares is not intended to be removed nor does it form “a device for lighting the ignition composition by friction”. There is no “scratch surface” on a cap for Igniter Flares.

· Section 25.3. The wire protruding through the cap on an Igniter Flare directly contacts the ignition composition.

· Section 28.1. There is no “effort necessary to effect ignition” with an Igniter Flare since ignition is achieved by electrical current heating the ignition wire protruding through the cap.

· Section 28.2. UL does not test the efficacy of the cap nor the MICA. There is no “striking” of the Igniter Flare.

· Section 35.1. Igniter Flares are not ignited in the same manner as manually ignited flares. As such, there is no need to state “ALWAYS POINT FUSEE AWAY FROM FACE AND BODY WHILE IGNITING AND AFTERWARDS”. However, this language is not disqualifying and may be found on some Igniter Flares due to requirements in other states.

3.0

REQUIREMENTS

Igniter Flares are dropped from a slow-moving DOT vehicle (DOT deployment guidelines shall specify the rate of speed of the deployment vehicle) onto pavement to mark hazardous traffic areas along the highway for the purpose of controlling and informing traffic to stay out of hazardous traffic areas. After the Igniter Flare is manually pushed through the MICA, the Igniter Flare must fall freely through the vertical drop tube and remain burning as it hits the deflector and rolls underneath the slow-moving DOT vehicle. The ignited Igniter Flare should roll toward the center of the traveled way and away from the vehicle’s tires. This creates a trail of burning Igniter Flares marking the boundaries for hazardous traffic areas. The Igniter Flare must be capable of burning on dry and wet road surfaces and burn for the minimum time set forth in Table 32.2 of UL 912. It is expressly understood that it is the sole responsibility of DOT to ensure that the Igniter Flares drop freely through the MICA and the vertical drop tube and then onto the road surface in the manner dictated by the deployment requirements created and enforced by the DOT.

The MICA is manufactured to the design specification attached hereto as Exhibit 3.0. DOT is solely responsible for the design and construction of the apparatus that incorporates the MICA and deploys the Igniter Flares. This apparatus typically involves a drop tube, a deflector to guide the placement of the Igniter Flare on the road surface, and the supports to hold the apparatus in place. Specifically, the MICA is connected to a vertically mounted drop tube securely mounted to a DOT vehicle. The Igniter Flare shall ignite when it is pushed through the MICA that is connected to the vehicle’s 12-volt battery. This connection provides electrical current to a pair of conductive bars mounted within the inner wall of the MICA.

The flexible plastic wings attached to the Igniter Flare cap are designed to cushion the impact of the Igniter Flare with the road surface and to help bring the Igniter Flare to rest on the roadway. The plastic wings burn away within approximately 45 seconds of ignition and are not a long-term anti-roll feature. Excessive speed by the vehicle deploying the Igniter Flares will prevent the plastic wings from functioning as intended and the DOT is solely responsible for developing deployment requirements that include speed and safe use limitations for Igniter Flare deployment as well as the restrictions for use referenced in Section 5.0 of this Specification.

3.1 Configuration: The Igniter Flares shall conform to all requirements specified below.

3.1.1 The base of the Igniter Flare shall be closed by means of a disc or plug. Any additional outer plastic wrapping for waterproofing, which must be removed before the Igniter Flare can be ignited, is not acceptable.

3.1.2 The head of the Igniter Flare shall be fully covered and protected with a tightly fitting cap with flexible wings and a secured wire extending symmetrical through the cap for ignition. The diameter of the cap shall be less than 1¼ inches. The entire rim of the Igniter Flare head shall be free from ignition compound. The Igniter Flare cap shall be configured to direct the hot ignition gases and flames downwards while minimizing any back-flame, which could pose a hazard to the user. The Igniter Flare and cap shall be designed so that when the Igniter Flare is ignited and dropped from a stationary height of 7 feet, it shall burn for the specified time as marked.

3.2 Materials: All materials used in the manufacture of the Igniter Flare shall be new and suitable for the use intended. Igniter Flares shall not contain any Potassium Perchlorate.

3.3 Workmanship: The Igniter Flare shall be free from defects that will affect safety, appearance, or serviceability.

3.4 Special Markings / Requirements: In addition to markings required by UL 912, if applicable, each Igniter Flare shall be marked with the date (month and year) of manufacture and, at a minimum, the following language:

CAUTION: PRODUCES HOT FLAME

Keep out of reach of children

For outdoor use only

Drop Fusee with igniter cap downward into MICA tube.

Make sure igniter cap wire contacts copper contacts of the MICA tube.

Insure lighted Fusee falls free and clear of the tube and vehicle.

4.0

PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

4.1 Packaging: Igniter Flares shall be prepared for shipment by common carrier in accordance with Federal Department of Transportation (Federal DOT) Regulations and shall be packaged in water resistant cartons of sufficient strength to permit reshipment without further reinforcement using industry packaging. The shipping carton shall meet Federal DOT Regulations and shall be stamped with the “Certificate of Box Maker”.

The cartons shall be stacked on pallets such that the Federal DOT hazardous material classification label can be viewed from all four (4) sides. All cartons on a single pallet must contain the same product, i.e. same item code number.

4.2 Marking: Each carton shall be marked with the date the lot was manufactured, commodity, quantity, size (duration, minutes), and the manufacturer’s name or brand name and shall be easily visible from all four (4) sides.

4.3 Storage: Igniter Flares shall be stored in sealed bags away from flame and heat. Failure to store in sealed bag will diminish performance. For maximum protection and performance, replace Igniter Flares every 3 years from date of purchase.

5.0

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND AGREEMENTS

5.1 The DOT acknowledges the following and agree to develop, document, and enforce safe use requirements for deploying and utilizing Igniter Flares. Such safe use requirements shall incorporate the following acknowledgements:

· The supplier of the Igniter Flares and MICAs is only responsible for the quality of these products as set forth in this Specification. The DOT is responsible for safe use, deployment, and adherence to deployment requirements promulgated by such party. The supplier has no involvement, responsibility, or liability related to the development or enforcement of such requirements.

· Igniter Flares produce an extremely hot flame and should only be deployed outdoors on pavement or other hard surfaces with curbs or other separation from combustible materials.

· Use of Igniter Flares is prohibited near spilled fuel, fumes or combustible materials (e.g., leaves, grass, wood, refuse).

· Special care must be used if deploying Igniter Flares in dry and/or high wind environments, and, in certain circumstances to be prescribed by DOT, Igniter Flares should not be used if there is risk of wildfire.

· Igniter Flares may emit sparks or molten ash that can start a fire if such sparks or ash contact combustible materials.

· Igniter Flares that have been deployed require supervision until the burn process is complete to assure safety of roadway and the environment.

· Igniter Flares, if contacted by moving vehicles such as following traffic, can travel significant distances and will ignite combustible materials if they contact combustible materials. Careful deployment and supervision is required.

· Igniter Flares should be deployed at a slow rate of speed to assure that the Igniter Flares are properly placed on the roadway and to assure that such flares come to rest where intended by the DOT crew deploying such flares.

· Igniter Flares shall never be deployed manually and may only be deployed using the MICA and the deployment apparatus designed, installed, and approved by DOT.

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