REVIEW NUMBER 4 Q1. Describe the primary purpose of decoy flares. Q2. What  means  are  used  to  launch  the  Mk  46 Mod 1C decoy flare? Q3. What  cartridges  are  used  to  fire  the  decoy flares from chaff dispensers? Q4. What practice bomb signal cartridge is used primarily for night operations? Q5. What  practice  bomb  signal  produces  white smoke for day missions? HANDLING AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS LEARNING    OBJECTIVE: Recognize the safety precautions to follow when working with pyrotechnics. Pyrotechnic ammunition is one of the most widely used    types    of    ammunition    in    naval    aviation. Pyrotechnics  of  one  type  or  another  are  carried  in almost    every    Navy    aircraft,    including    unarmed transport and training aircraft. All   pyrotechnic   and   screening   devices,   while designed and tested to be safe under normal conditions, are subject to accidental ignition. A general rule for the handling of pyrotechnic devices is as follows: NOTE You should be constantly aware that pyrotechnics  contain  chemical  components that are intended to burn with intense heat, and you should act accordingly. 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. NOTE Water,   in   flooding   quantities   and   at   low pressure,    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 tem- peratures,  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 4-14