Fireworks Display Sites & Safety Considerations

Site Considerations

The choice of a good site is critical to public safety, and clearly important to the full enjoyment of the display.

Site Visit

It is obvious that the Operator to any short-listed site must pay an early visit

before detailed preparations can begin. The Operator will then be able to assess realistically the factors which follow. Important details are taken from HS(G)123

Space for the display

This is the space required for the operation of a fireworks display, including the safety area between the firing area and the spectators. It is likely to be a rectangle at least 150m wide by 75m deep (450 feet by 225 feet)

Space for the spectators

This area should ideally be upwind of the display area, and large enough to

accommodate the expected numbers. Spectators should not be so tight-packed that they could not move out of the way quickly in the event of an accident. As a rough guide, there should be no more than about two people per metre square.

The standing surface must be safe, e.g. to avoid slipping in wet weather, and free from obstructions, e.g. ditches, which could cause injury, particularly in the dark.

Fallout Zone

This is an area that is what it suggests. It is calculated to be large enough to contain any fireworks debris that will come back to Earth! The fall-out zone must be clear of any people, buildings, stores or anything inflammable.

Make sure that spectators or uninvited guests are not watching from the rear, or near the fall-out zone.

Remember that rockets when fired will turn into the wind. Even if the wind is blowing away from crowd a rocket will fly towards them. The most dangerous piece of debris from a spent firework is the rocket body and stick.

Space for a Bonfire (If there is to be one)

This must be well clear of other activities that could be adversely affected by stray sparks or smoke, e.g. the firing and spectator areas. It must be well clear of buildings, roads, railways, rights of way, etc., and at a safe distance from stocks of flammable materials and overhead power lines. It should be downwind of the spectator area

Access to the Site for the delivery of Fireworks and other Equipment

Safe and certain access to the site from the road system is required for the supply vehicles. When choosing access routes, account must be taken of the adverse effects of weather on soft-surface ground and tracks.

Access to the site for Emergency Vehicles

Police, Fire, and Ambulance vehicles must be able to reach the site quickly, under all weather conditions. The routes must not become obstructed during the display, e.g. by other parked vehicles.

Access to the Site for Spectators

Spectator access must be adequate to get people on and off the site in reasonable time, again taking weather effects into account. A grass field may provide reasonable access in summer, but not after a few days of winter rain. There should be at least two routes, and they must be well signed and illuminated

The pedestrian access routes must be separate from vehicle access to car parking space, as below. There must be space for spectators to leave the site rapidly on foot in an emergency.

Spectator car Parking

Space for cars and coaches must be provided. If public roads are to be used, this must be agreed in advance with the Police. Pedestrian access from the parking spaces to the spectator area must also be well signed and illuminated.

Surrounding areas (Such as dwellings, Roads, Railways)

The display must be located clear of these, to the extent that damage could not be caused, even in the event of complete mal-operation of a firework item. In the case of roads, the vehicles do not have to be struck by a firework for a danger to be created. An accident could result from a sudden and unexpected event anywhere on or near the carriageway.

Overhead power lines

These are vulnerable to the impact of the fireworks themselves, and may also cause a flashover if they are near scaffolding and frames used to support display features, or if they arc to Earth via the column of hot gas ejected by a firework. They may also produce stray currents in electric circuits in the vicinity, leading to the premature initiation of firework items.

Hazardous installations

The display must be well clear of any installation where flammable materials are

stored or used, or where fire damage may lead to enhanced danger, e.g. plant where toxic gases are used.

Rivers and canals

Apart from the false-signalling aspects mentioned earlier, vessels and their

passengers on waterways could be endangered by a display accident. Also, spent fireworks landing in water could cause pollution, which could lead to prosecution by the Environmental Agency.

Prevailing wind

The prevailing wind direction will dictate the orientation of the display site, as

discussed earlier in relation to site layout.

Changes

Amendment to display features if safety considerations require it should be possible and ideally the ability to modify the site layout if conditions change between the time the display is planned and the time of execution. For example, if there is a significant change in wind direction, or if new adjacent features appear, e.g. construction work. An alternative plan should be held in readiness for a layout change if necessary. Obviously, the larger the total safe area available, the easier it would be to accommodate alternative layouts.

In general, the choice of firework display site is critical, and the exact form of the display, and the type of fireworks to be used, cannot finally be determined until the site is confirmed. Once determined, the site should not be changed. Otherwise the planning process will have to restart from the beginning.

Fuse Types and Methods of Joining - Part 1

Below we describe the types of fuses and burn speed used in modern day fireworks. This is very helpful to know especially when it comes to firework safety and firework displays.

Types and varieties of fuses

Fuses are lengths of explosive material, mostly in the form of a thin tube containing the material, used to transfer ignition from the firing point, at a safe distance, to the firework device. They can be linked or joined to carry ignition through branches from one initiation point to several fireworks, or from one firework to another. There are two basic types of fuse-

· Instantaneous: These transfer the combustion at high speed, at many metres per second. This allows the simultaneous firing of several dispersed items from the same point.

· Delay: These transfers the combustion at a slower rate, to introduce a delay effect, e.g. a series of items connected by delay fuse can be fired in sequence at Predetermined intervals. They are designed to burn at different speeds, according to type. Thus any required time delay can be achieved by a combination of the fuse type, and the length of the run.

Fuse Types

There are many different types of fuse found on fireworks, some of the most common types are explained below:-

QUICK MATCH is the commonest fuse to ignite fireworks. These can be single stranded, double or multi – cored. Ordinary black match is made by impregnating a string with black powder slurry. Once dried it burns readily and relatively slowly. When encased in a plain paper or waterproofed paper ‘tube’, however, the rate of burn becomes practically instantaneous.

A protective cap should be provided to prevent accidental ignition when incorporated into a firework and these can come in differing colours. Quickmatch as obtained for general use does not normally have covers.

PLASTIC IGNITER CORD (PIC) is commonly used in the UK but not normally used elsewhere. When ignited it burns vigorously and at a constant rate which makes it ideal for use as a time delay fuse. Two basic types are used in fireworks – FAST igniter cords which are brown in colour and SLOW igniter cords which are green in colour. There is also PW6 which is slate blue in colour and a PIC brilliant blue in colour which is no longer made. All are made by ICI and are waterproof. They can burn under water.

FAST (Brown) burns at a rate of 3.3 seconds per metre (10” or 250mm per sec). It is wound on to reels in 150m lengths and is constructed from a central cotton core around which the incendiary is extruded. This in turn is covered with a clear plastic sheath and is Brown in colour.

SLOW (Green) burns at a rate of 38 seconds per metre (approx. 1”/25mm per second) and is also wound on to reels in 150 metre lengths. It is constructed from a central copper core around which the incendiary is extruded. This in turn is covered with a green plastic sheath and is slightly thinner than the brown fast PIC.

SLOW (Blue) is no longer available. Burned at a rate of 1¼ secs per inch or 49 sec/m.

PW6 (Slate blue) is manufactured the same way as green, looks similar but is a slate blue. Burns slower however, about 4 secs per inch (25mm) or 172 sec/m.

CHINESE SLOW burns very slowly and is unreliable. It will be found on Chinese fireworks as the primary delay. It is constructed from a central core of gunpowder surrounded by woven fabric. This fuse is generally not waterproof and if any damp is in the air it must be waterproofed. This type of fuse is usually replaced during the fusing process if there is any risk of damp in the air.

SPANISH DELAYS Look similar to Pipe Cleaners, constructed from a plastic or fabric outer, this covers a centre core of composition that burns at a constant and accurate rate. These are cut to size according to the length of time required. Spanish Delays are available in all time sequences from 1 second to 1 minute, and more if required..

TAPEMATCH is made by pouring black powder onto the centre of the sticky side of the adhesive tape (sellotape) forming a continuous narrow strip of fuse. Used essentially in the creation of lancework

Summary of Burning Rates:

Quickmatch Instantaneous

Tapematch Instantaneous

PIC Brown 1 sec per foot (3.3sec per metre)

Wasag Green 7 sec per foot

PIC Green 12 sec per foot (1 sec per inch/25mm approx)

PIC Blue 15 sec per foot (1-1/4 per inch)

Bickford 30 sec per foot (variable)

PW6 Slate blue 53 sec per foot (4 secs per inch)

Pro Pyro Fireworks for the Enthusiast

So many people who buy Fireworks like to be able to get hold of something a bit special, a firework with WOW factor or even perhaps something which they shouldn’t get there hands on.

As so many of our Professional Fireworks Displays that we have done over the years we have been asked “where did you get that effect from”, or “can I buy Fireworks like those”. Well of course in most cases the answer is quite simply “No”.

The reason being so many of the fireworks we use in Professional Fireworks Displays are known as Category 4 Fireworks and are specifically for the use of Professionals and its Prohibited in Law that Members of the Public get their hand on them.

Well that got me thinking, another track I was considering at the same time was how we could get the most spectacular Fireworks on our shows whilst keeping under the Threshold of 1.4G, meaning the Fireworks where not 1.3G which in turn enables the movement and storage of fireworks to be made easy.

There are a number of factors that will determine weather a Firework is 1.4G as opposed 1.3G and its not always that the higher hazard (1.3G) is always more spectacular.

So as I thought about killing two birds with one stone (and not by blowing them up) I began to design, in my head, a range of Professional Grade Material that we could use, sell on to our Professional Trade Clients and from that I came up with a range of Cake Barrages and Rocket Volley’s that we now Call “Pro Pyro”.

The Pro Pyro range consists of lots of different Cake Tube Configurations and lots of Effects as well has a selection of small and medium volley’s (which are one of my favourite fireworks). We have loads of quiet effects, animated effects, louder fanned bombette effects and some speciality single effects, single colour and multi effect cakes all under the Pro Pyro brand and ethos.

Now we have the idea and the effects, colours and formations we worked on keeping them to 1.4G, in doing this using our knowledge of what our clients want, the law and the way in which fireworks are made we came up with really stunning fireworks which are Grade A and perfect for all manner of Fireworks Displays, very versatile and lots to choose from.

Well as luck would have it in most cases (not all) many of the Fireworks fitted the legal limitations for Category 3 meaning we could label them for Public Use and carry out the necessary BS7114 Tests for them and put them on sale to the Public.

Now we tested the market with a few last year and our Customers loved them, so please be on the look out this year as we will have even more in the Brochure

Hanabi, The Japanese & Fireworks

If you take the time to follow this link to you tube to see the awesome Japanese Fireworks displays I’m sure you will agree its amazing.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6VSktHzfS64

The show is quite slow to start and has a wonderful track that accompanies it and is typically Japanese in style, reminiscing of a karaoke bar in down town Tokyo. However for mood and grace I have to say I do like the music and would consider using something similar myself.

The sheer size and scale of the show is so impressive, the fireworks are spread over a wide area, a total dream for any firework designer as you can use (as they do) large effects over distance to create pattern and synchronicity which really gets the hairs on end. The first major chase sequence which is preceded by cross firing mines with coloured tops, closely followed by a chase from the centre out, perfectly timed with the music and really does follow the mood, tempo and volume.

The red and white strobe shells fired at width look great simply because its clear and intentional to treat the two colour separately and there is no mixing of colours in the centre.

The next sequence in the show sees two separate firing halves which swap round half way through, on each side there is a demonstration of the abilities of the firework factory as they show off the various Shell patterns and colours they have created, the other low firing half give some perspective on the size and drama of the shells next door!

The next part which slips in from underneath is one of my favourite, the modular units or groups of fanned single shots wipe from left to right in a pair, followed by a triplet and then a quadruple and then a great fanned sweep from one unit to another as the whole theme moves from left to right made up of five smaller sub modules. The timing is great and again marries up within the music track.

Following these modules is a whole barrage of small and very effective bombettes bursting with small green, red & purple stars, low level material fired at regular intervals over the site width. Then from no where gentle bursts of falling leaves suddenly appear and with it a woo and an ahh from the appreciative audience watching the show,

This is followed by a slower more repetitive sequence of single large shells fired in succession. Now this bit wasn’t for me really and my colleague commented in a similar way, however I did point out to him that as many of the Japanese specialist are building their own shells for them single large shells are a true art. And Its not for us to criticise as we do feel we are good at providing shows, but we are not the full company simply because we are not building from scratch with our own hands masterpieces like the guys from Japan!

Now the next section is great, varied coloured spots match both high and low, however it’s the part after this which left me laughing to myself in sheer awe of what they created. A large scale chase from right to left of mines followed in colour coordination by masses of shells. This is similar to a sequence we performed in the British Fireworks Championships, however not having the width made the difference as this show is….well amazing!

And the Finale…well what other words other than amazing, brilliant, awesome can be used…watch for yourself and leave some words for us to think about!

A Life Creating Corporate Fireworks Displays

Some of the most challenging Fireworks Displays we have done over the years have been for Corporate Client, the flip side of the coin for us with a Fireworks Display for the Corporate Display Sector is the fact they spend more but also make some very special requests.

The corporate client tend to be a little more fussy about their plans for a Fireworks Display, and of course anything done in the name of that company reflects on them so the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics have to be very special indeed as well as being perfectly executed with the upmost professionalism.

Over the years our company have provided displays for some of the biggest names around, Shell, 3M, Ford, BBC, Mobil 1 to name just a few. In many cases the Fireworks are put to us through a third party organiser and the whole vision can be part and parcel of a whole day of entertainment along with lavish settings at beautiful venues all in the aid of impressing their own clients and partners.

The shows them selves usually include a lot of themed material by colour and specific effects and patterns to promote and emphasise the product or company we are dealing with. In addition to that we regularly supply and make bespoke fire sculptures or Lancework Devices (coloured firework writing) so we can put a message across to the audience as well. We have on occasion also brought in lighting and lasers to write messages and project images to let everyone know who paid for the Fireworks.

What’s good for us as designers of these shows is being handed a project and then re creating that using old pyrotechnic methods combined with some of the latest Firework Display technology and software to put the whole show into place and ultimately entertain everyone and get a great response from them afterwards.

I recall doing a Fireworks Display at Kedleston Hall for Nottingham East Midlands Airport when it was their 40^th Birthday Celebrations, of course the whole theme was a “Ruby Party” and that included the tableware the inside design of the Marquee and of course the Fireworks. The entire show was virtually entirely red, pretty easy you think?? Well to create an interesting show without repetition in one single colour for around Four or Five minutes is not easy. The good news for us was because we have so much variety of material available ensured we could provide a show without excessive repeat of any one effect.

Our style has always been to create specific colour themes in most of our shows, with that in mind we do order many single colour effects in all Firework Types, Rockets, Shells, Cakes, Roman Candles and other Set Pieces so we could choose several products from each of the Firework Types and then just utilise the Red Components and make a large scale all Ruby Red Show.

Recently we provided a show for a Private Party for a wealthy family and the Fireworks Display was set to music and as it was for a Young Lady we were asked if we could match the Pink Feather Bowers and Bright Pink Carpet in the extravagant Marquee so we did with an ALL Pink Finale, it really looked stunning with a splash of Silver over the Top!

Organising Wedding Fireworks

1^st Galaxy Fireworks have been involved in Fireworks Displays since 1995; in fact the Family behind the company started providing Fireworks in 1985 for Lee’s (The Son) local School.

Since 1995 it’s clear to us the number of Wedding Fireworks Displays has grown hugely, its now on the list of so many would be bride and grooms and for many it’s right near the top of the list to. Of course choosing a Firework company and being satisfied that you have made the right choice can be pretty stressful, especially when you consider that you have so many other decisions to make.

There are a few golden rules to adhere to, in our own experience when dealing with Corporate Organisers and Councils, those who are in the “trade” there are always a set of standard questions to ask. Assuming the Firework Company you are considering can fulfil all of the questions you have asked you can be sure that you are 75% of the way to finding the right company.

The following questions are very important and must be fulfilled to be sure that the company is some way to being a “Professional Company”

1. Ask for a copy of their Insurance (Public Liability Minimum should be £5 Million Pounds
2. Confirm that they hold at least a Health & Safety Executive Storage and/or Factory Licence.
3. Confirm that they are a Member of the British Fireworks Association
4. Ask to see a written Schedule of what is in the Display

To further explain the above please read these notes –

Step 1. The reason you should ask for this is any Venue that you have your reception at will need to see one for sure, but also in the event that the company causes any damage to the property or even injures a guest at your wedding they will be adequately insured to cover any costs associated with the damage. Please double check the date of the cover extends to your event date, if it expires before hand remember to request a copy again after to renewal date. This will also demonstrate the company is a serious Display Company as policies are not cheap, and require certain minimum criteria in order for the underwriters to offer cover

Step 2. Its important to establish that the Company you are using actually has the correct legal storage. There are a number of reasons for this, not just breaking the law but also this will go some way to confirming that the company are a “Professional Company”. Again please note that Local Authority Storage Registration for Fireworks is not really suitable, you want to see evidence of at least a Local Authority Licence or even better would be a Health & Safety Executive Storage Licence as this would show the company has a large capacity for storage and more likely to be able to store the kind of material that should be in a Professional Show. Remember Fireworks are explosives and are tightly controlled when it comes to their storage.

Step 3. Ask them or look out for any reference to being members of the British Fireworks Association or the “BPA”. Membership requires a minimum set of joining criteria related to company turnover, storage and insurance. But in addition to this and equally as important ask that their employees have been trained to BPA L1 & L2 Status. This will confirm that the people in charge of setting up and lighting your fireworks have been trained and passed exams in proven and safe working methods.

Step 4. As a matter of Standard Practice any decent Fireworks Display company will offer you a list of Fireworks to fit a certain budget, they will describe the type, size and effect of the fireworks as well as the quantity of them in the show. If a company simply writes a nice letter confirming they “will provide a stunning display for 5 minutes for £700” I would be weary, it’s important to know what you’re getting for your money, even if you are unsure of what the items actually are.

These basic rules will go a long way to ensuring you make the right choice, our company provide this information for free either in the form of a written brochure or you can download the information from our website http://www.galaxy-fireworks.co.uk