ICS 71.100 .30 
Y 88 
 
 
National Standard of the  
People’s Republic of China  
GB xxxxx —xxxx  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fireworks and firecracker —Whistling agent   
(Draft for Approval)  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ICS 71.100 .30 
Y 88 
 
 
Issued on XX -XX-200X  Effective on XX -XX-200X  
Issued jointly by the General Administration of Quality Supe rvision, Inspection and 
Quarantine  
of the People's Republic of China and the Standardization Administration of China 
 GB xxxxx -xxxx  
 
I Foreword  
 
Section 4.2 of this standard is mandatory, while the rest is recommend ed. 
This standard was put forward by China National Light  Industry Council.  
This standard is under the jurisdiction of the 
National  Fireworks  & Firecrackers  Standardization  Technology  Committee (SAC/TC 
149).  
This standard was borne out of collaboration between the Fireworks and Firecrackers 
Safety and Quality Inspection Centre of the CNLIC, Hunan Fireworks and Firecrackers 
Safety and Quality Inspection Centre and Panda Fireworks Co., Ltd.  
The main draftsmen of this standard are: Chen Jiannan, Huang Chaxiang, Zhang Jishui, 
Sun Yuanchun and Li Jianfang.  
  
 
 GB xxxxx -xxxx   
 
1 Fireworks and firecracker —Whistling agent  
 
1 Scope  
This standard establishes the technical requirements, test method and inspection 
rules. It also includes requirements for packaging , labelling, transportation and 
storage.  
This standard is applicable to produ ction, sales, inspection for acceptance and 
storage of whistling agent  for fireworks and firecrackers.  
2 Normative References  
The referenced provisions of the following documents constitute part of this 
standard. For dated references, none of  the subsequent  amendments (excluding 
corrigenda ) and revisions shall apply. However, parties reaching an agreement 
based on this standard are encouraged to explore the possibility of applying the 
latest edition of these references. For undated references, the latest edi tion of the 
referenced document applies.  
GB/T 9724  General rules for determination of pH value  
GJB 1047.5  Test methods of black powder - Determination of moisture content  
GJB 3170  Determination  of particle size  
QB/T 1941.5  Preparations  for fireworks and firecrackers - Determination of 
moisture absorption  
QB/T 1942  Determination of firecrackers’ noise  level  
3 Terms and Definitions  
For the purpose of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1 Whistling agent  
Under normal conditions , it is combustible, potassium acid terephthalte or 
potassium acid phthalate ( commonly  called whistling agent ).  
4 Technical Requirements  
4.1 Physical character istics  
Whistling agent made from potassium acid terephthalte is a white or ash gray  
powder, while th at from potassium acid phthalate is a light green powder.  
4.2 Main technical specifications  
Requirements to be satisfied after whistling agent is fully mixed with oxidizer ( see 
Table 1).  
 GB xxxxx -xxxx   
 
2  
Table 1  
Items  Specifications  
Moisture  absorption    %  3.0 
Moisture  content    %  1.5 
pH value  5.0-6.5 
Sieve residue with particle size  of 0.12mm %,  1.0 
Noise level  of whistling agent  prepared with oxidizer (dB)  85 
 
5 Test Method  
5.1 Appearance  
For colour, label and packag ing, visual assessment applies.  
5.2 Determination of pH value  
GB/T 9724 applies.  
5.3 Determination of moisture absorption  
QB/T 1941.5 applies.  
5.4 Determination of moisture content  
GJB 1047.5 applies.  
5.5 Determination of particle size particle size   
GJB 3170 applies.  
5.6 Determinati on of noise  level  
Whistling agent and oxidizer are mixed (potassium perchlorate) in the proportion of 
(25-30): (65 -70). A special tool is used to layer and compact the whistling agent  into a plastic 
cylinder of L (36.0mm ± 0.1mm) ×  (outer diameter: 6.3mm ± 0.1mm; inner diameter: 
6.0mm ± 0.1mm). The interval between the cylinder mouth and the preparation  (as resonance  
chamber ) is 21.0mm ± 0.5mm where medicament will be filled in, and 15.0mm ± 0.5mm 
where medicament will not be filled in. Ignition leads are put into the cylinder in close contact 
with the medicament and then kindled. Noise level  is measured for 20 samples according to 
the provisions of QB/T1942.  
6 Inspection Rules  
6.1 Batching  
Products made of raw materials of the same batch shall be batched with each batch of 
2000kg.  GB xxxxx -xxxx   
 
3 6.2 Ex-factory  inspection and type inspection  
Product shall be inspected by the manufacturer’s inspection department or by an 
assigned third party  and shall not leave the factory without a certificate of conformity issued 
after passing the inspection. Ex -factory  inspection covers pH value, particle size  and noise 
level . Type inspection is based on the technical specifications in Table 1 in Section 4.2. T he 
20 samples for noise -level  determination should be fully consistent with the provision for 
noise level  in Table 1 in Section 4.2.  
6.3 Sampling  
Each batch of products shall be randomly sampled at a proportion of 3 ‰ (deemed as 
1000 when less than 1000) w ith a sampling shovel or probe. 600g samples will be collected 
and mixed, and then put into two clean, dry bags, one for test and the other reserved. The bags 
shall be labelled to indicate product name, batch number, sampling time, sampler’s name and 
so on .  
6.4 Determination rule  
6.4.1  For technical specifications, Section 4.2 applies. Products in compliance with the 
requirements shall be accepted.   
6.4.2  If any substandard items are found, the batch shall be doubl y sampled for re -
inspection. If substandar d items  are still found , the batch shall be rejected. If no substandard 
itemis found during  the re -inspection, the batch shall be sampled for the second re -inspection 
which will determine acceptance or rejection.  
7 Pack aging, Labelling, Transportation and  Storage  
7.1 Pack aging 
Product will be pack aged in an internal lining film bag, which is then put inside a 
woven bag. The bag shall be sealed with a pack aging machine to ensure that there will be no 
leakage or pollution during normal storage and transportation. Net weight per bag is 25kg ± 
0.25kg.  
7.2 Labelling  
Product name, net weight, manufacturer’s name and address, and product’s standard 
code shall be indicated on the pack ing bag , and in the bag the certificate of conformity and  the 
user’s manual  shall be attached .  
7.3 Transportation  
During transportation, the product shall be protected from rain and oxidizer.  
7.4 Storage  
Product shall be stored in a dry and ventilated warehouse and protected from rain and 
damp.  
Product shall be stored separately from oxidizer.