From: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Subject: Re: Fuse
Reply-To: ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry)
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Date: Fri, 10 Apr 92 19:44:55 GMT


In a previous article, billn@hpcvaac.cv.hp.com (bill nelson) says:

>ah157@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Rob Henry) writes:
>: 
>: I'm not saying to just yell at kids near the pad,if you're not ignorant you
>: don't launch from a field packed with little kids,I launch in isolation from
>: the public.If anyone comes and decides to watch they usually stay in their
>: cars unless they're with me.If they
>: do get out,most people have enough sense to stay away from a rocket,most
>: parents are responsible and don't let
>: their kids run free.I stay close enough
>: to it that I could stop them anyway.
>
>Most is not good enough. Most people don't drive automobiles when drunk
>either - but when one does, the result is sometimes catastrophic.
>
>: I don't run half a mile away,I go about 50 to 100 feet and could easily
>: stop anyone from getting within 15 of
>: the pad,especially a toddler.
>
>Maybe - are you willing to bet your future income for the rest of your life
>on this ability? If an accident occurred and someone sued you, that is exactly
>what could happen.
>
>What do you do if a gust of wind causes the launch rod to bend or break - or
>it breaks the mount so that the rocket topples? With fuse, you have to get to
>the rocket to stop the launch - with the electrical igniter, you simply do not
>press the launch button.
>
>: The stores don't say it's for rockets exclusively,it hangs on the wall next to
>: them.In fact,this store is in a suburb of cleveland and has much tougher cops
>: and laws than cleveland who doesn't
>: allow it's sale.
>
>If they say it is for model rockets at all, then they are breaking the law.
>
>: I guess everyone has their own preferences,I've never seen anyone get hurt
>: from using fuse.You can't tell me it's any different than an igniter in that it
>: takes a long time to burn and in case of a misfire you can't be sure.
>: A fuse just won't sit there and smoulder for 5 minutes if it does not ignite
>: the engine,some may take a little longer than other pieces,simply wait until
>: you see no smoke,then wait 3 or so
>: minutes before going near the pad.
>
>Here is where you show that you know little about fuses. I guarantee that a
>fuse can smolder for 5 minutes or longer - with no sign of it burning. I have
>had firecracker fuses, which normally burn in 2 or 3 seconds, smolder for 
>over a minute with no easily visible sign that they were still burning.
>
>I am sure C.D. could tell you of a few instances. I recall one somewhere in
>the early 80s - at an international event.
>
>: You said to wait a minute with an electrical igniter so what's 2 minutes?You
>: have to wait either way.
>
>The difference is that, with an electrical igniter, you know that it is safe
>after a minute. With the fuse, there is no reasonable expectation.
>
>: I wouldn't reccomend fuse for children in the hobby,let them have the joy :)
>: of pressing the button and going ooh ahh.They don't know how to figure the 
>: seconds etc that have to do with fuse.
>
>Neither do you - all the time and accurately. Most of the time, yes. Within
>a few seconds, yes. That is all you can honestly say.
>
>: As for the law,I've never seen or heard of any law like this,although other
>: stupid laws exist so I guess this one could also.
>
>Try reading the National Fire Protection Act Part 1122? - this contains the
>regulations that cover what is allowed with model rocketry. Some states do
>not follow the MFPA - but those that do usually have even more stringent
>regulations.
>
>The government has felt fit to write laws in an attempt to stop people from
>performing stupid acts for which they have not thought out the possible
>consequences.
>
>It is true that some of the laws themselves are stupid. I personally feel
>that a person should have the right to do anything they want, as long as
>they are not endangering the lives or property of someone else.
>
>Bill
>




I highly doubt a wind could break my steel launch rod.If it's a tornado you 
shouldn't launch anyway.