TRIPOLI PITTSBURGH SAFETY CODE
FOR SPARKY MOTORS

Due to the nature of Sparky Type Rocket Motors and the environment of our launch site we have imposed our personal Safety Code regarding the use of these types of Rocket Motors. It WILL be enforced.

1. J motor limit on commercial days--whatever keeps sparkies on the closer pads, where we can get to a fire more quickly, also smaller motors, fewer sparks. For Research days, with more experience fliers, fewer spectators, I think we can be more flexible

2. Sparky motors must be clearly identified on the flight card.

3. Sparky motors require the use of some form of fire blanket under the pad, in addition to the normal blast deflector.

4. The sparky is/are the last flight(s) off the rack--everything else goes first so a fire can be dealt with without other rockets on the pads. It also doesn't fly until everything previous as landed so all attention can be focused on the flight and getting out to a possible fire without delay.

5. Sparky fliers must have a two-person "fire crew" ready to go out and make sure no fire has started as soon as possible after launch. These people can't be RSO, LCO or flight observers, their only duty is to make sure no fire has started. Of course, if a fire starts, as many as necessary will be to put them out.

6. Finally, and most important, sparkies can be banned on a day-by-day basis depending on conditions, with go/no-go decision made by the BOD officers on-site before operations begin and announced at the fliers meeting. Once a banning decision is made, it is in force for the full day, regardless of any change in conditions or flier "whining." This keeps the pressure off the individual RSO's, LCO's and BOD members for individual flight decisions.