Model Rocket Safety Code

For Model Rockets:

The following are the Safety Code for NAR ( National Association of Rocketry ) and Canada's Model Rocket Safety Code.

Model Rocket Safety Code National Association of Rocketry

www.nar.org Used with permission.

1) Materials. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.
2) Motors. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.
3) Ignition System. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the "off" position when released.
4) Misfires. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the launcher's safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before allowing anyone to approach the rocket
5) Launch Safety. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance.
6) Launcher. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor's exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
7) Size. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse. If my model rocket weighs more than one pound (453 grams) at liftoff or has more than four ounces (113 grams) of propellant, I will check and comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations before flying.
8) Flight Safety. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable or explosive payload in my rocket.
9) Launch Site. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
10) Recovery System. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in my rocket.
11) Recovery Safety. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.

Revision of February, 2001

CANADA’S MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE

1) CONSTRUCTION. I will always build my model rocket using only lightweight materials such as paper, wood, plastics or rubber without any metal airframe components. My model shall include aerodynamic surfaces or a mechanism to assure a safe, stable flight.
2) MOTORS. I will use only pre-loaded, commercially available model rocket motors or motor reloads approved by Energy Mines and Resources Canada. I will never subject these engines to excessive shock, extremes of temperature, nor will I ever attempt their reloading or alteration. I shall always employ recommended manufacturer handling and ignition procedures.
3) RECOVERY. My model rocket will always use a recovery system to return it safely to the ground so that my model rocket may be reflown. I shall prepare the recovery system with due care to assure that it will properly deploy.
4) WEIGHT LIMITS. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1500 grams at lift-off, and the model rocket engine(s) will contain no more than 125 grams of propellant and produce no more than 160 N-s combined total-impulse.
5) FIRING SYSTEM. I will always use a remote electrical system to ignite the model rocket engine(s). My firing system will include an ignition switch that returns to "off" when released, and a safety interlock to prevent accidental ignition. I will never leave the safety interlock key in my firing system between launches.
6) LAUNCH SYSTEM. My model rocket will always be launched from a stable platform having a device to initially guide its motion. My launcher will have a jet deflector to prevent motor exhaust from directly contacting the ground. To protect myself and other from eye injury, I will position the launch rod or rail so that the upper end is above eye level, or else I will place a large guard on the upper end between launches.
7) LAUNCH SITE. I will never launch my model rockets near buildings, power lines, or within 9.1 kilometres from the centre of an airport. The area immediately around the launch system will be cleared of any flammable materials. I will always obtain the permission of the launch site owner prior to using the launch site for my model rocket activities. 
8) LAUNCH CONDITIONS. I will never launch model rockets in high winds or in conditions of low visibility which may impair the observation of my model rocket in flight, or in a direction below 30 degrees from the vertical.
9) LAUNCH SAFETY. I will remain at least 5 metres away from any model about to be launched. I will always announce to persons within the launch site that I am about to launch my model rocket, and I shall give a loud countdown of at least 5 seconds duration. I shall immediately remove the safety interlock key from my firing system after the launch of my model rocket.
10) MISFIRES. In the event of an ignition misfire, I shall not immediately approach my model rocket, but remove the safety interlock key and remain back for a safe period until assured that no ignition will occur.
11) ANIMAL PAYLOADS. I will never endanger live animals by launching them in my model rocket.
12) TARGETS. I will never launch my rocket so that it will fall on, or strike, ground or air targets. Nor will I include any explosive or incendiary payload.
13) HAZARDOUS RECOVERY. I will never attempt to recover my model rocket from a power line, high place, a tree, or other dangerous location.
14) PRE FLIGHT TESTS. Whenever possible, I will always test the stability, operation and reliability of my model rocket designs prior to flight. I will launch unproven designs in complete isolation from other persons.

From "THE CONTROL OF MODEL ROCKETRY IN CANADA"   Used by permission of Canadian Association of RocketryCopyright © 1994 - 2000 Canadian Association of Rocketry

Le Code De Securite Pour Maquettes Volantes Au Canada
 
1. Construction. Je construirai ma maquette employant des materiaux legers tel que papier, bois, plastique, ou caoutchouc sans addition de parts metalliques. Ma maquette devra inclure des surfaces aerodynamiques ou un ensemble mechanique pour assurer un vol stable. 
2. Moteurs. J’emploierai des moteurs conçuent du system "preloaded" qui sont vendu commercialement ou moteurs de recharge qui son approuves par la comission des mines et energie des Resources du Canada je ne ferai jamais subire a ces moteurs des chocs exessifs ou extrêmes de temperature ou esseyerai de les recharger ou de les modifier. J’emploierai toujours la marche a suivre des manufactiers en ce qui concerne la façon du lancement ou precautions. 
3. Recuperation. Ma maquette devra toujours employer un systeme de recuperation pour l'amener au sol de façon a ce que ma maquette puisse etre relancer. Je devrai preparer le systeme de recuperation avec grand soins de façon a assurer que le systeme se deploie proprement. 
4. Poid Limite. Ma maquette ne depassera jamais les 1.500grs au decollage et le moteur de propultion ne contiendra pas plus que 125grs de matiere propellante Etne produira pas plus que 160n combinée au demarrage. 
5. Systeme D'Ignition. J'emploierai un systeme d'ignition éloigné du systeme de propulsion (Moteurs). Mon systeme d'ignition devra inclure un interupteur qui retourne a la position "eteinte" ou "off" quand déclancher et un verou de securité pour prevenir les ignitions accidentelles. Je ne laisserai jamais la clef d'ignition de serurité dans le systeme d'ignition entre les lancements. 
6. Systeme de Lancement. Ma maquette serra toujours lancée d'une platforme stable concue avec guide pour la direction initiale. Ma platforme de lancement aura un deflecteur de façon a prevenir les emissions du moteur de lancement d'atteindre le sol. Pour proteger mon-même et les autres des possible blessures aux yeux, je mettrai la rampe de lancement d'une façon a ce que la partie superieure est plus haute que la ligne visuelle des spectateures ou vous même, ou bien je placerai un ecran sur la partie superieure de la rampe de lancement entre les decollages des maquettes. 
7. Site De Lancement. Je ne lancerai jamais ma maquette pres des édifices, lignes electriques à haute tension ou a moins de 9.1 kms du centre d'un Aeroport. L'aire de lancement serra nettoyée de tout debris inflammable. J'obtiendrai toujours la permission du proprietaire du site de lancement avant de lancer ma maquette. 
8. Conditions De Lancement. Je ne lancerai jamais ma maquette dans une condition de grands vents ou par pauvre visibilité qui peut empecher une bonne visibilité de la maquette en vol, ou une direction sous 30 degres de la verticale. 
9. Precautions De Lancement. Je resterai au moins 5 metres d'une maquette en train d'etre lance. J'annoncerai à toute personne sur le site de lancement que je suis entrain de preparer pour un lancement de maquette, et je compterai de vive voix a rebours les 5 dernieres secondes. Je retirerai ma clef d'ignition de securité du system de lancement apres le lancement de la maquette. 
10. Raté D'Allumage. Dans la possibilite d'un rate d'allumage je ne devrai pas approcher immediatement ma maquette mais enlever la clef d’ignition du systeme de securité et rester a une distance prudente a fin de s'assurer que il n'y aura pas d'ignition. 
11. Animaux. Je ne lancerai jamais des animaux dans ma maquette de façon a ne pas mettre leurs vies en danger. 
12. Cibles. Je ne lancerai jamais ma maquette de façons a ce qu'elle tombe, ou percute des cibles dans l'air où au sol. je ne mettrai jamais des matieres incendiaires ou matieres explosives dans la maquette. 
13. Recuperation Hazardeuse. Je ne recupererai pas ma maquette d'une ligne electrique a haute tension, une place trop haute, un arbre, ou toutes autres dangeureuses locations. 
14. Vols D'Essais. Quand possible j'eprouverai la stabilité, l'operation et bonne marche de ma maquette avant le lancement. Je lancerai la maquette en vol d'essai completement a l'ecart de toute personne. 
15. Conduite Personelle. Je me conduirai toujours d'une maniere responsible consiencieux que le maintient et sécurite pour moi-même et les autres reste dans ma capacite de construire des maquettes qui fonctionnent en toute sureté et d'adherer avec enthousiasme aux normes du code Canadien de maquettes de vol.

Used by permission of Canadian Association of RocketryCopyright © 1994 - 2000 Canadian Association of Rocketry