Section 5610 Experimental Rockets/Unlimited

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1010-1015]

Article 16. Experimental Rockets/Unlimited

§1010. General. This article applies to all rockets except approved model rockets as defined in Article 14 and experimental high power rockets and experimental high power rocket motors as defined in Article 2.

§1011. Test Areas.

1. Experimental rockets unlimited shall not be launched within this State from any site other than test areas approved for such purpose by the fire authority having jurisdiction.

2. These test areas shall meet the following minimum requirements:

   1. Test areas shall consist of a launching site and an impact range.
   2. The launching site is that area immediately surrounding the launching devices, including positions to protect all personnel.
   3. The impact range is that area over which rockets may travel by design or accident and upon which they fall. Its length should be not less than the maximum calculated ideal ballistic range of any rocket to be fired from its launching site and extends as the radius of a circular sector 90 from the launching site apex into the prevailing wind.
3. Test areas should include no dwellings or structures other than those provided for operating and nonoperating personnel protection and loading rockets.
4. Operating personnel protection shall consist of a bunker, blockhouse or similar protection designed to withstand shrapnel and mass impact equal to the potential created by the heaviest rocket intended to be fired, and falling from its zenith or exploding at any point. This bunker when located not less than 50 feet distant from the launching device shall afford minimum protection equal to a 2-foot wide slit trench not less than 5 feet deep and parapet observation ports with protection equal to a double thickness of sand bags. Overhead protection should consist of substantial structural materials, and these materials shall be covered to afford protection equivalent to that of a double layer of filled sand bags. Non-operating personnel minimum protection when located not less than 250 feet distant from the launching device shall consist of construction at least equal to the slit trench shelter described above.
5. Rocket loading facilities shall be housed in a lightly constructed and covered structure located not less than 100 feet distant from any other structure including any launching device. Within this State, all fuel or propellant compounding or loading of experimental rockets unlimited shall be performed by licensed pyrotechnic operators or by experienced persons directly supervised by these pyrotechnic operators.

§1012. Rocket Launchers. Rocket launchers shall have a length sufficient to insure stabilization to any rocket fired from them and shall be constructed of appropriate material such as metal or rigid flame-resistant plastic and designed for the specific intended purpose and use. Special protection shall be provided for persons setting and arming all rockets. The use of any two rail, "V" or "U" trough launcher, which depends solely on gravity to control the rocket during launching is prohibited.

§1013. Setting Rocket Launchers. All adjustments and alignments of the rocket launcher and connections shall be completed before the rocket is armed. Final rocket launcher adjustments shall be checked by the licensed pyrotechnic operator in charge.

§1014. Firing Procedure. A definite ordered firing procedure shall be established by the licensed pyrotechnic operator in charge. Both visible and audible signals shall be used to alert all persons in the test area. Any launch or firing code used shall be reduced to writing and posted conspicuously in the test area.

§1015. Launching Rockets.

1. Rockets may not be armed or launched except by an experienced pyrotechnic operator, who, if he or she is not licensed, shall be directly responsible to the licensed pyrotechnic operator in charge. The actual arming operation shall be accomplished by a competent person. During all arming operations all personnel shall take shelter when launching, excepting only the individual arming the rocket and his or her necessary assistants.

   All internal self-contained firing circuits (within the rocket) including, but not by way of limitation, multiple stage ignition, parachute releases, bursting charges, etc., shall be provided with an arming and disarming device operable remotely from without the assembled rocket in the launching position.

2. The firing circuit shall be shunted at both the control center and the launching site by the pyrotechnic operator assigned to arm the rocket. Both shunts shall be in place and he or she shall test them to insure that the firing circuit is effectively short circuited, before the rocket is set in the launching position.
3. The single special key, which removes the launching site shunt from the firing circuit, shall be the sole means for completing the firing circuit at the control center. The arming operator shall retain the shunt key in his or her personal possession from the time the circuit is initially shunted until the arming operations are completed and he or she removes the last shunt in the control center and establishes a ready firing circuit.
4. No other means or device than a remotely controlled electric circuit of an approved design may be used to launch single stage rockets or the first stage of multistage rockets.