Pyrotechnic and screening devices are normally equipped with some type of safety pin, lock, or tape that is  designed  to  prevent  accidental  activation  of  the initiation  mechanism.     Do NOT  tamper  with  such equipment. Do  NOT strike, bend, or otherwise remove the safety equipment until just before the device is launched Any devices that show signs of damage to the safety  features  are  considered  unserviceable;  carefully put them to one side and promptly dispose of them according to current directives. If  a  pyrotechnic  device  should  accidentally  ignite, it will result in a fire hazard. In a confined area, the gases generated by this combustion could present a serious toxic hazard. Signaling charges that contain propellant  charges,  designed  to  propel  the  pyrotechnic candle  into  the  air,  create  an  extremely  dangerous missile  hazard. Pyrotechnic  compositions  characteristically contain  their  own  oxidants;  therefore,  they  do  not depend on atmospheric oxygen for combustion. For this reason, exclusion of air, by whatever means, from a pyrotechnic   fire   is   usually   ineffective.   Many pyrotechnic mixtures, particularly illuminating flare compositions,  burn  with  intense  heat  (up  to  4,500°F). Normally, extinguishers are not useful in this kind of fire. Carbon dioxide extinguishers, in addition to being ineffective,  are  potential  sources  of  danger  because  they tend to produce oxygen, which supports the combustion. Foam-type  extinguishers  are  equally  ineffective because  they  work  on  the  exclusion-of-air  principle. Water, in flooding quantities and at low pres- sure, should be used to cool the surrounding area and to prevent the spread of the fire. Properly controlled and directed, water is the best fire-extinguishing agent for aircraft parachute flares burning in the open. Pyrotechnic hazards are frequently increased by such  factors  as  age,  improper  storage  conditions, rough   handling,   moisture   penetration,   excessive temperatures,  damage  to  shipping  containers,  and other  mishaps  that  causes  the  devices  to  become unserviceable.   In   most   cases,   immediate   danger does   not   exist.   Unserviceable   pyrotechnic   and screening devices on ships at sea are put to one side for  normal  return  to  an  appropriate  shore  station for   disposition   according   to   the   instructions and   regulations   contained   in   NAVSEA   OP   5, volume  1. Conditions may develop that demand emergency disposal  of  potentially  hazardous  devices.  In  such cases,  disposition  is  the  responsibility  of  the commanding officer. Under NO circumstances, other than  an  extreme  emergency,  should  ammunition, explosives, or other related hazardous materials be dumped at sea by a Navy vessel, aircraft, or activity without  prior  approval  of  the  CNO.  If,  in  the commanding   officer’s   best   judgement,   immediate disposition is necessary to protect lives and property, the commanding officer should order such disposition by the most appropriate means available. In all cases, the commanding officer must notify Naval Sea Systems Command, at the earliest practical time, of the facts and circumstances. Q1. Q2. Q3. REVIEW NUMBER 5 Pyrotechnics are dangerous to handle because they are composed of . Combustion requires oxygen. By what method is oxygen supplied to pyrotechnic devices? What  means  should  you  use  if  there  is  a  fire involving  parachute  flares? REVIEW NUMBER 4 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Q1. THROUGH Q5. A1. The purpose of decoy flares is to provide evasion tactics for naval aircraft when they  are  threatened  by  enemy  heat-seeking  missiles. A2. Mk 46 (Mods) decoy flares are launched from either the AN/ALE-39 dispenser set or the AN/ALE-37A chaff dispenser. A3. The Mk 131 impulse cartridge is used to fire a decoy flare from a chaff dispenser. A4.  The  Mk  4  Mod  3  signal  cartridge  is  used  primarily  for  practice  bomb  night operations. A5. The CXU-3A/B signal cartridge is used for practice bomb day missions. 4-16