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K. L. and B. J. Kosanke This article originally appeared in Fireworks Business, No. 236, 2003. A study of performance characteristics of some common electric matches had been conducted.[1] During the course of that study, a series of electron micrographs were made of the residues produced upon firing the electric matches. Those electric matches using …
Continue reading Electric Match Lead

K. L. Kosanke In 2003 a fireworks display company experienced two serious malfunctions of a product. The items were 5-inch White Tiger Tail shells under the brand name of Flower Basket (See Figure 1). These shells are spherical in shape and at the time were thought to be solid masses of comet composition, without a …
Continue reading WARNING: Serious Product Malfunction

K. L. Kosanke An investigation of an unfortunate accident involving indoor pyrotechnics was completed a little while ago. This article was written in the hope that by suggesting a trivially simple step, similar accidents might be avoided in the future. Ref: Selected Pyrotechnic Publication of K.L. and B.J Kosanke, Part 5, (1998-2000), pp 118-119 (K5_118)

K. L. and B. J. Kosanke The Pyrotechnics Committee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently revised the Code for Fireworks Displays, NFPA 1123. The revised code included recommendations for wall thickness for fiberglass mortars and for larger sizes of high-density polyethylene mortars. In anticipation of the committee’s discussions of the needed strength of …
Continue reading Peak Mortar Pressures When Firing Spherical Aerial Shells

K. L. Kosanke I recently needed an estimate of the amount of lift powder that would have to be missing from a spherical aerial shell, for it to remain in its mortar upon firing. Since that apparently has never been reported in the literature and because it was easy to determine, a brief study was …
Continue reading Lift Charge Loss for a Shell to Remain in Mortar

K.L. Kosanke NOMATCH™ is a new system for igniting fireworks that replaces quick match with shock tube plus flame-to-shock (or electric-to-shock) and shock-to-flame attachments. The system was introduced by B & C Products, Inc., with a press release included in the July 1994 Issue of American Fireworks News, an article in the July 1994 issue …
Continue reading Electric Ignition of Shock Tube Firing Systems

K.L. and B.J Kosanke Over the years the authors have had experience with government contracting from both sides: in selecting and monitoring contractors for the government and as holders of government contracts. In this article we would like to share some general information about contracting with the federal government and about contracting for fireworks displays …
Continue reading Successful Bidding and Performance on Government Fireworks Display Contracts

K.L. Kosanke The proper use of technical and scientific terms is fundamentally important for clear and effective communication. It is also a mark of a professional to use the vocabulary correctly. Toward that end, the following brief article is offered. There are a series of notes [a–e] included for additional and qualifying information at the …
Continue reading Explosions and Detonations

K.L. and B.J Kosanke Over the years there has been an almost continuous series of accidents involving people using energetic materials, too many of which involve fireworks, their manufacture or their preparation for use. There are important lessons that can be learned from these accidents; unfortunately most of these come too late for the people …
Continue reading A Rule for Improving Manufacturing Safety