Fakkels.com provides you with high quality products from reliable suppliers who have been in the world of safety products and emergency signals in particular for many years. Before we get started, we want to share with you that you should keep ALL types of emergency flares dry. Our emergency signals are all pyrotechnic products, or “gravity” fireworks if you will. The biggest enemy of all types of fireworks is water, so too with distress signals. Within this product group there are roughly two varieties of signals. First, there are the distress signals with the SOLAS maritime mark, which are characterized by the well-known “blow” or “pull” ignitions. In principle, we do not sell distress signals with a “blow” ignition, so the “pull” ignition remains. In shipping and seafaring, people get special courses on how to use these distress signals. Although the manual is not difficult, and distress signals can be successfully ignited for anyone without a course background, we scale the use of the ‘pull’ ignition as “difficult.” Looking for an emergency signal that ignites easily? Then scroll down to the ‘string’ ignition heading.

 

‘Pull’ ignition / Pull-ignitor, Fakkels & Smoke Signals

Products: SOLAS hand hoist signals, Land smoke signals, T1, T2 and T3 + SOLAS Floating smoke signals.

The pull-ignitor was developed by Pains Wessex just under two decades ago as the replacement for the previously standard “strike” mechanism. The main advantages that the pull-ignitor has over the rest is that it retains its watertightness and is also still easy to ignite. The major downside of this variant is that handling is more difficult. If you do not pull the cord out the right way there is a chance that the distress signal will not ignite. This also explains the many courses given for handling this type of distress signal in maritime navigation where literally every second counts. Ignition of these distress signals is roughly as follows:

1. Hold the distress signal with the arrow pointing up and remove the top cap
2. Pull the cord horizontally at a slight angle (some manufacturers even prescribe 90 degrees (!)) in one smooth motion from the signal
3. Ignition of the signal follows after a short delay
4. Hold the signal downwind (windward)

 

SOLAS hand hoist signals

 

Land smoke signals, T1, T2 and T3 + SOLAS Floating smoke signals

Fakkels.com advises:

Although these varieties of distress signals are thus more waterproof than other varieties we sell, experience shows that the method of ignition is not completely waterproof. If you are leaving for a hike to a remote area or a long sea voyage: Take enough, varied emergency signals with you on your trip! Should one fail you will always have a replacement on hand!

Fakkels.com explains the mechanism:

The pull-ignition system works roughly like an inverted match: The pull cord contains a piece of friction-enhancing material at the end. When the cord is properly pulled out, the ignition torque is optimal. The drawstring provides enough friction to ignite the distress signal. Obviously, if the cord does not produce optimal ignition torque the distress signal is NOT ignite. This happens, for example, when the cord is pulled straight out. At that moment, minimal ignition torsion takes place, causing the distress signal to fail to ignite at worst. Experienced users almost never experience problems with the pull-ignition variant. Factory tests show this ignition mechanism with proper handling is successful in 99% of cases. In case an emergency signal via the pull-ignition mechanism does not ignite, and the need is ever high… Scroll all the way to the bottom of this page for our experiences and ‘if all things fail…’ solutions.

 

‘String’ ignition / Rub-ignition, Fakkels & Smoke Signals

Products: Hand smoke signals, Hand smoke signals

Strike ignition is one of the most reliable varieties of ignition mechanisms for distress signals. The distress signals have a striker head under the upper cap (see arrow on the distress signal) and are ignited using the lower cap (literally the way a match works, ed.). Ignition of this variant is done incrementally as follows:

1. Hold the distress signal with the arrow pointing up and remove the upper and lower cap
2. Using the lower cap, “iron on” the ironing head at the top
3. Ignition of the signal follows with a short fire delay
4. Hold the signal downwind (windward)

Fakkels.com advises:

These variants emergency signals are unfortunately not waterproof. The moment the warhead is too damp it will make ignition considerably more difficult or even impossible in a regular way. In case you find yourself in a heavy downpour and the need is always high … these signals will not be easy (!!) and the chances of successful ignition are very small! Nevertheless, there are alternative methods of ignition even with this signal. Interested? Then scroll down a bit, to the heading ‘if all things fail…’ solutions.

 

‘If all things fail…’ solutions for alternative ignition

Under this heading, we contribute some solutions for the alternative ignition of a distress signal. Indeed, a distress signal may fail in its ignition, but that does not mean it has lost its potency. With some inventiveness, you will still achieve the desired result! We do NOT recommend these forms of ignition because they can affect safety margins. However, if you find yourself on a desert island or deep in the woods and the one rescue team comes within visual range, you will be glad to have this information! If all things fail…

Hand signals & Hand smoke signals:

As can be read under the more extensive heading “Iron” ignition, there is a chance that humidity will adversely affect the iron head. The ironing head covers the ignition charge of the torch. Therefore, should the ironing head become wet from drops or moisture it does NOT mean that the distress signal has lost its ignition potential. You can choose to let the distress signal dry (don’t worry, you can just do that in the sun) or, for example, to get the moisture out of the warhead more quickly. You can do the latter by offering an alternative ignition temperature, for example, another distress signal that did ignite or a lighter. If you want to use a lighter, we recommend the so-called “storm lighter,” and pretty much any other variant off because of safety reasons (!). This alternative method of ignition poses no special risks because the original fire delays are hardly affected.

Land smoke signals, T1, T2 and T3 + SOLAS Floating smoke signals:

The land smoke,- and floating smoke signals give the most possibilities for alternative ignition. Under the lid, in addition to the ignition mechanism in the center of the lid, there is a cover sticker for the smoke production channel. Through this channel you can provide an alternative ignition source. Should the “pull” mechanism fail unexpectedly, you can choose one of the following solutions in order of convenience:

1. Ignite an additional hand-held signal and use the signaling flame to “spray” into the smoke production duct. Within seconds, the smoke signal will still ignite as if in almost regular fashion. Because a land smoke signal must build up its signaling power, there is no additional ignition risk.
2. Through the smoke production duct, light an alternative ignition source. For example, you can choose to use a fuse, or more simply, “throw” a match or other burning small object into the smoke production duct. Ignition then follows almost immediately.

SOLAS Hand hoist signals

The SOLAS Handgun signals offer no “quick” alternative forms of ignition. The only option to still get this signal to ignition needs some background information on a signal that does work correctly: A SOLAS-Handstacle signal that does achieve ignition via regular means will produce the familiar “plop” sound. This sound is caused by the signaling flame shooting the “head” of the distress signal away from the inside (cannon principle). This also directly indicates the only alternative method of ignition: The “head” must be manually removed from the pipe. When the head is removed, an ignited distress signal can be attempted to ignite the distress signal by using the signaling flame at the top as an alternative ignition source. Ignition will occur almost immediately at full strength.

Note: If you remove the “head” of the signal, you also remove the fire delay. Therefore, NEVER attempt to ignite a signal in this manner other than as described above. The emergency signal will immediately reach the full 1200 degree flame without any warning. You should therefore only do this If all things fail….