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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