Overview
ISO 22863-16:2025 - Fireworks - Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances - Part 16: Procedure for identification of report or burst charge defines a standardized laboratory procedure to identify the type of report (bang) or burst charge used in consumer and display fireworks. Published as the first edition in 2025 by ISO/TC 264, this standard helps determine whether a charge is a perchlorate/metal, nitrate/metal, black powder, or another pyrotechnic composition through staged qualitative testing.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Specifies the identification procedure for report or burst charges in fireworks; part of the ISO 22863 series on chemical test methods for pyrotechnics.
- Referenced methods: Uses results from related parts of ISO 22863 for targeted tests:
- Identification logic: A decision flow (Figure 1) directs the analyst to check for metals, perchlorates and nitrates in sequence to classify:
- Perchlorate/metal compositions (metals + perchlorates)
- Nitrate/metal compositions (metals + nitrates, no other oxidants)
- Black powder / other (nitrates only and no active metal)
- Sample preparation:
- Disassembly per ISO 22863-1 and isolation of the report or burst composition.
- For mixed components, sieve the material on a 35 mesh analytical sieve and collect the screened material for testing.
- Qualitative identification:
- Follow the Figure 1 flowchart and perform separate qualitative tests for perchlorates, nitrates and metals using fresh subsamples for each assay.
- Test report requirements: Laboratory name/address, date, reference to ISO 22863-16:2025, sample description, identification methods used, results and any anomalies observed.
Applications and users
This standard is intended for:
- Independent testing laboratories performing fireworks chemical characterization
- Fireworks manufacturers and quality control teams verifying composition types
- Regulatory authorities and customs assessing compliance and potential hazards
- Event safety specialists and forensic analysts investigating incidents involving pyrotechnics
Practical uses include classification of charges for safety labeling, compliance verification, risk assessment, and support for regulatory enforcement.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 22863-16:2025, fireworks test methods, identification of report charge, burst charge, perchlorate/metal, nitrate/metal, sample preparation, qualitative analysis, pyrotechnic composition, laboratory report.
Open preview (PDF)Fireworks — Test methods for determination of specific chemical substances — Part 16: Procedure for identification of report or burst charge
