Taser Report on Sprays With M26 Security Equipment Corporation 2003
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Report on the Compatibility of SABRE® Law Enforcement Defense Sprays with the M26 TASER® Electronic Immobilization Device Completed May 4, 2003 By: Robert Nance, V.P. of Operations Security Equipment Corporation Proud Manufacturer’s of SABRE® DEFENSE SPRAYS 1. Executive Summary Security Equipment Corporation tested each model of its SABRE® Law Enforcement Defense Spray in order to determine its compatibility with the M26 TASER® Electronic Immobilization Device. The goal of the test was to determine flammability of the SABRE® Defense Spray when used in a worst-case scenario with the M26 TASER®. The tests were completed on May 2nd and 3rd at Security Equipment Corporation’s testing facility. The results of the tests are published within this report. Due to the increase of law enforcement agencies carrying the M26 TASER® and other electronic immobilization devices, Security Equipment Corporation found it necessary to fully evaluate the use of the SABRE® Law Enforcement Defense Sprays in conjunction with electronic shocking devices. SABRE® defense sprays have been tested for flammability according to 16 CFR 1500.45, the flame extension test. This test measures flammability by spraying an aerosol through a candle flame at a distance of 6 inches. An aerosol is considered flammable if the flame extents beyond the candle past 18 inches. If the flame has an extension of less than 18 inches, the aerosol is considered nonflammable. SABRE® Law Enforcement Defense Sprays are manufactured in two series. The H2O series, a water based formulation and the DPS (Dual Propellant System) Series. According to the 16 CFR 1500.45 Flame Extension tests, all SABRE H2O Series products are non-flammable. The SABRE® DPS formulations are non-flammable in the stream delivery, but the cone delivery is flammable. The cone delivery system aerosolizes the formulation, making microscopic droplets that are more easily flammable when passed through a flame. Other methods of flammability testing have been completed including spraying a burning rag with the SABRE® Defense Spray and using a high voltage stun gun on a t-shirt which has been saturated with the SABRE® Defense Spray. The results show that the SABRE® H2O Series extinguishes the burning rag and will not ignite the saturated t-shirt when shocked with a stun gun. The SABRE® DPS Series does not extinguish the burning rag, it will not ignite the saturated t-shirt when shocked with a stun gun. The results from the M26 TASER® compatibility test show that the SABRE® H2O Series Sprays are fully compatible with the M26 TASER® Electronic Immobilization device. The SABRE® DPS Series are not compatible with the M26 TASER®. Use of the SABRE DPS Series with an electronic shocking device could result in injury. Therefore, Security Equipment Corporation recommends that the SABRE® DPS Series not be used in conjunction with the M26 TASER® Electronic Shocking Device. This policy is fully documented in the SABRE® Defense Spray Training Course and Manual and is mentioned in the SABRE® Defense Spray Law Enforcement Catalog. 2. M26 TASER® Compatibility Test Scenario Security Equipment Corporation contacted Steve Tuttle, Director of Government & Law Enforcement Affairs for TASER® International. Mr. Tuttle identified the testing process required to most accurately determine the compatibility of M26 TASER® and the SABRE® Law Enforcement Defense Sprays. The purpose of the test was to identify the worst-case scenario when using a SABRE® Defense Spray and the M26 TASER® device. The worst-case scenario is defined in two separate cases. Test Case 1 The first test case involves a subject being saturated with the SABRE® Defense Spray on the chest area. Saturation is defined as six to eight one second bursts in an MK3 or MK4 and one or two bursts in an MK9 riot control canister. The center of the t-shirt would be completed soaked in a 12 inch diameter. The M26 TASER® prongs would then be attached to the saturated area of the t-shirt one to two inches apart. This scenario represents the highest pulse in the shortest area, meaning the greatest amount of electricity or possibility for ignition in the smallest most saturated area. Test Case 2 The second test case involves a subject saturated with the SABRE® Defense Spray on the chest area. The M26 TASER® prongs would then be attached to the saturated area of the t-shirt one to two inches apart. While the M26 TASER® is being deployed, the subject is also being sprayed continuously with the SABRE® Defense Spray on the M26 TASER® prongs until the unit is completely empty or the electronic pulses have subsided. This scenario represents the highest pulse in the shortest area, meaning the greatest amount of electricity or possibility for ignition in the smallest most saturated area while the aerosol is being applied directly to the M26 TASER® prongs. This scenario would be the worstcase scenario indicating the greatest possibility for ignition to occur. 3. M26 TASER® Compatibility Test Results The tests were run on Friday, May 2 at Security Equipment Corporation’s Testing Facility. The weather conditions were 68 degrees, overcast, with winds out of the northeast at 10 to 12 mph. There was a crosswind between the individuals firing both the SABRE® Defense Sprays and the M26 TASER®, and the target, in order to replicate less than ideal conditions. As previously stated, SABRE® Defense Sprays are manufactured in two separate series. The H2O series is a water based formulation with a steam and foam delivery. The DPS Series is an alcohol based formulation with a stream, cone and fog delivery. The H2O Series was found completely compatible with the M26 TASER®. Each of the units tested failed to ignite the t-shirt in both test cases. The DPS Series was found to be compatible with the M26 TASER® in test case one. However, in the second test case, the SABRE® DPS Series formulation was ignited when continuously sprayed into the M26 TASER® pulse at a range of 3 to 5 feet. Therefore, Security Equipment Corporation recommends that SABRE DPS Defense Sprays not be used in conjunction with the M26 TASER. The specific SABRE® Units tested and their test results are as follows: SABRE® H2O Series Model # 51H2O30 52H2O30 55H2O30 56H2O30 51H2O30-F 52H2O30-F 56H2O30-F TASER® Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible 91H2O60 91H2O60-F 92H2O60 92H2O60-F 95H2O60 Description SABRE® DEFENSE H2O MK4 Stream SABRE® RED H2O MK4 Stream SABRE® 5.5 H2O MK4 Stream SABRE® 5.0 H2O MK4 Stream SABRE® DEFENSE H2O MK4 Foam SABRE® RED H2O MK4 Foam SABRE® 5.0 H2O MK4 Foam SABRE® DEFENSE H2O MK9 High Volume Streamer SABRE® DEFENSE H2O MK9 Foam SABRE® RED H2O MK9 High Volume Streamer SABRE® RED H2O MK9 Foam SABRE® 5.5 H2O MK9 High Volume Streamer Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible Compatible 510030 520030 530030 540030 550030 560030 510030-C 520030-C 530030-C 550030-C 560030-C 910060-C 920060-C 930060-C 940060-C 950060-C SABRE® DPS Series SABRE® DEFENSE DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® RED DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® CS DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® 5.5 DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® 5.0 DPS MK4 Stream SABRE® DEFENSE DPS MK4 Cone SABRE® RED DPS MK4 Cone SABRE® DPS MK4 Cone SABRE® 5.5 DPS MK4 Cone SABRE® 5.0 DPS MK4 Cone SABRE® DEFENSE DPS MK9 Fogger SABRE® RED DPS MK9 Fogger SABRE® DPS MK9 Fogger SABRE® 5.5 DPS MK9 Fogger SABRE® 5.5 DPS MK9 Fogger Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Non-Compatible Security Equipment Corporation 330 Sun Valley Circle, Fenton, MO 63026 800-325-9568 www.sabre-sabrered.com info@sabre-sabrered.com