Transcript INTRODUCTION OF AFSL – QIP

DISPLAY FIREWORKS FORUM
February 23, 2012
1
Display Fireworks Program
Three components:
1. Annual factory audits
2. On-site product evaluations
3. Container loading supervision
2
3
4
Aug.1- Factory audit checklist was distributed for
comments.
Aug.18 – Follow-up meeting with display industry
Sep.1 – Nov.30 – Factory audits conducted
Nov.29 – China Industry Meeting
Jan.1, 2012 - Initiate products evaluation and
container loading supervision
5

Purpose:
Ensure proper manufacturing practices are
maintained.
Validation of components and packaging for
display fireworks meet the requirements of the
Display Fireworks Certification Program.
6

Factory Audit Sections:
Quality Assurance Records
Supplied Materials Quality Assurance
Process Control
Certification Documents
7

AFSL Factory Registration Number :
Each compliant factory is assigned a unique
AFSL Reg. No. related to the CIQ factory ID No.
Record of Registration Nos. maintained by AFSL.
In order to maintain the Reg. No., Annual reAudits are required.
AFSL Reg. No. will be cancelled if a noncompliance result is obtained on any future reAudit’s.
8

Each Factory is required to successfully
complete a factory audit to ship display
fireworks to participating U.S. Importers
9
◦ 15 – Passed/ Certified
◦ 3 – Initially Failed (re-Audited and
Passed)
◦ 4 – In process of pre-payment/
scheduling
◦ 2 – Factories Unresponsive
10

Purpose:
Ensure the product and packaging comply with
the requirements of AFSL program.
Certify all shipping cartons with an AFSL sticker.
11

Shipper submits an application for product
evaluation to SGS.

Evaluation completed within 3 working days.
12

Copy Available on AFSL Website.
13
Display Industry
Representatives
Robert Kellner, Kellner’s Fireworks
Stephen Pelkey, Atlas Advanced Pyrotechnics
James Burnett, Western Enterprises
Stephen Vitale, Pyrotecnico
Bob Deng, Lidu Fireworks Corporation, Ltd.
Regulatory Authorities –
ATF
US DOT
State Regulator
Michael O’Lena, ATF
Tom Dunaway, DOT (retired)
Daniel McMullin, Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office
Shipping Lines
Yulu Hu, Hua Yang Transportation Co., Ltd.
Insurance Industry
Eric Treend, Britton-Gallagher & Associates, Inc.
Packaging Industry
Technical Expert
Graham Walsh, Energetic Materials Research and
Testing Center
Committee Chairman
John Rogers, AFSL Executive Director
14
15
3-2.3.2 Shipping cartons stacked to a
minimum height of 3 meter (10 feet) must
remain straight, sturdy and maintain their
original shape.
16


If there is a deviation of greater than 1 inch
from vertical, the lot fails this test.
If any box within the stack bows, compresses
or otherwise becomes misshaped by greater
than one inch, the lot fails this test.
17
18
3-1.3 All fireworks subject to this standard must not
have Electric Matches or Igniters attached to them or
packaged with them in the same packaging carton.
19
3-2.3.3 Inner packaging, fittings, and cushioning
materials, and the placing of Display Fireworks in
packages, must be such that the Display Fireworks are
prevented from becoming loose in the outer packaging
during transportation.
3-2.3.4 Display Fireworks must be separated from each
other in order to prevent friction and impact. Padding,
trays, partitioning in the inner or outer packaging must
be used for this purpose.
20
3-2.4.1 Shipping cartons containing products
weighing 20kg (44 lbs.) or over must be
manufactured from a minimum of seven (7)
layers of cardboard material.
3-2.4.2 Shipping cartons containing products
weighing less than 20kg (44 lbs.) must be
manufactured from a minimum of five (5)
layers of cardboard material.
22
3-2.2.1 EX numbers for fireworks contained in
shipping cartons must be marked on the
shipping carton or on shipping documents.
3-3.2.4 Rising effects on Shells (including: Tails,
Comets, and Whistles) must be covered in a manner
that does not allow any pyrotechnic composition to be
exposed.
NOTE: Packaging a Shell inside a plastic bag is not
adequate to meet this requirement. A separate cover
for the Tails, Comets, and whistles must be used.
25
3-3.2.5 The construction of the items must be
adequate to prevent leakage or loss of any
measurable amount of pyrotechnic composition
during packaging, transportation, handling and
storage.
3-3.2.6 The Lift Charge assembly must be
securely attached to the Shell to ensure that
pyrotechnic composition leakage does not occur
during transportation, handling, and storage.
3-3.3.2 Connecting Fuses on Finale Chains must be
constructed in a manner to remain free of any tearing or
separation from the attached Shells and other fusing.
3-3.3.3 Fuses on Display Shells must be packed in the
same compartment as the Shell itself in a manner that
prevents them from being located under seams.
3-3.3.4 A Safety Cap must be installed over the
exposed end of all Fuses attached to Display Fireworks
packaged for transportation. The Safety Cap must be of
a different color from that used for the paper covering
of the Fuse.
29
3-3.3.1 All Fuses and Leaders on Display Fireworks
devices must be attached in a manner to ensure they
remain securely attached during transportation,
handling, and storage.
3-3.3.1.1 Fuses on Display Shells 6 inches (152mm)
and smaller, including Shells in Finale Chains, must be
securely attached so that they are able support the
weight of the Shell plus another Shell equal in size.
3-3.3.1.2 Fuses on Display Shells larger than 6 inches
(152mm) must be able to support the weight of the
Shell plus 227 grams (8 oz.) weight attached to the
Fuse.
3-3.2.8 All Display Shells must contain an orienting loop
securely attached to the top center of the Shell to assure
proper orientation of the Shell when it is inserted into the
Mortar.
Visually observe whether the shell contains an orienting
loop. Attach an 8-ounce (227-gram) weight to the shell,
then grasp the orienting loop and lift the shell. The
orienting loop should not separate from the shell. If the
orienting loop does separate, the device fails this test.
32
3-3.2.7 Display Shells larger than 6 inches must
contain a Lowering Rope that is equal in length
to six times the diameter of the Shell that can
support two times the weight of the Shell.
Other Requirements
a. Drop Test Documentation Review

b. Thermal
Review
Stability Test Documentation
35
A Security Lot ID Number will be stamped on each
carton in a lot.
Each shipping carton in an approved Lot will have an
AFSL Security Sticker attached.
36
37

Reporting:
The technician will complete a product evaluation report
on-site and provide the result to factory representative.
The report will be provided to shipper by the next working
day.
Results will be stored in AFSL database for tracking.
The original reports will be distributed to the shipper
monthly.

38

Purpose:
 Verify that only AFSL certified/approved display
fireworks are loaded into shipping containers.
 Verification of shipping documents.
 Verify the goods are secured for transportation.
39
Scheduling:

When the goods are ready to ship, the
exporter/manufacturer will request loading supervision
inspection from SGS at least 2 working days in advance.

AFSL certified technicians will be assigned to conduct
loading supervision on scheduled date at either a
consolidation warehouse or manufacture warehouse.
40

Reporting:
The final report will be issued to the client within 1
working day.
The report will be uploaded into the AFSL
database for tracking purposes.
41

Failure criteria:
Products were not properly certified.
Unacceptable condition of container (leakage,
damaged, etc.)
Broken and/or damaged fireworks shipping cartons and
failure of exporter to take timely corrective action.
SGS will terminate the loading supervision inspection,
the AFSL/SGS seal will not be applied and the client will
be notified.
42
1.
Sign an AFSL Participation Agreement.
2.
Ask shippers in China to apply test on behalf of US
importers.
3.
Pay the test fee to Shippers, so the Shippers can pay
to AFSL.
43

Establish two permanent seats on the Board for Display
Industry members:
Mike Cartolano, Melrose Pyrotechnics;
Phil Grucci, Fireworks by Grucci.

Set aside funds for special projects to enhance safety
and quality of 1.3G Fireworks.

AFSL per-case cost to Importer: US$1.00
44
WWW.AFSL.ORG
THANK YOU!
45