In the civilian world, flares are commonly used as signals, and may be ignited on the ground, fired as an aerial signal from a
pistol-like
flare gun, or launched from a self-contained tube. Flares are commonly found in marine
survival kits.
Maritime distress signal Distress rockets (aka "rocket-propelled parachute flares") have been mentioned in the modern era for civilian maritime emergencies since at least 1856. The
U.S. Nautical Magazine of that year mentions the use of "rocket stations" for ship related emergencies. White rockets were solely used until 1873, when commander
John Yorke of the
Royal Navy suggested that rockets for distress should have a distinctive color. The request was made to help ease confusion between ships in distress and rockets used by
pilot ships. By 1875, the UK
Board of Trade had issued regulations for captains in regards to night signals. Rockets containing at least 16oz of
composition were only to be used as a sign for a ship in distress. Passenger ships at the time were required to carry 12 of these rockets. The
Merchant Shipping Act 1894 further stated that these rockets were to be fired one at a time in short intervals of approximately one minute apart. Distress rockets continued to be used in different colors, as was the case with
RMS Titanic. At the time shipping companies had "a particular kind of distress rocket (that differed by color)". Each ship was also given a guide of colors to use depending on what signal was to be sent. Modern red distress signals are mentioned by the
United States Bureau of Mines as early as 1959, where they state "12 handheld rocket-propelled parachute red flare distress signals" are to be used by ocean going ships. The color red was eventually incorporated for use in the United States on 17 December 1979 as part of a "Universal color language". The
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) has standards for visual signals, including both handheld and aerial flares. Handheld flares must burn for at least one minute at an average
luminosity of 15,000
candelas, while aerial flares must burn for at least 40 seconds with a 30,000-candela average luminosity. While rockets and flares are still an option for signaling distress, they have since been surpassed by improved technology. Distress signals can now be sent using automated radio signals from a
search and rescue transponder. Other internationally recognized methods include the radio message
SOS, which was used during the 1912
sinking of the
Titanic, and the emergency procedure word "
Mayday", which dates to the 1920s.
Roadside and rail Another type of flare is the ''''''''
, which burns with a bright red light. These come in two main types which are used for roadways and rail transportation. The first type are fusees used for roadways which are known as highway flares
or road flares''. These are commonly used to indicate obstacles or advise caution on roadways at night and are found in roadside emergency kits. Law enforcement also may use these flares (either propped on a biped or laid flat) to signal traffic hazards or that a road is blocked, often as a more visible replacement for traffic cones. Law enforcement in the United States usually use
magnesium-based flares that last from 15–30 minutes. Railroad flares can burn for at least 10 minutes, are not fastened to train cars, and are handheld by railroad personnel for protection at night. Fusees made specifically for railroad use can be distinguished from highway fusees by a sharp steel spike at one end, used to embed the fusee upright in a wooden
railroad tie.
Forestry and firefighting In forestry and firefighting, fusees are sometimes used in
wildfire suppression and in the ignition of
controlled burns. They ignite at and burn as hot as .
Protests Flares are used by law enforcement agencies such as the United States
National Guard, and police as a form of
riot control. This practice dates back to at least the 1940s where they are mentioned as being "useful in night operations". ==Military use==