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INTRODUCTION

The following is intended to increase both knowledge and firework safety awareness, whilst also providing methods of best practice for the enjoyment of fireworks available to the general public. It does not cover the use of professional fireworks but only those available to none professionals i.e. firework categories 1, 2 & 3.

The content is aimed at giving more detailed guidance to members of the public and enthusiasts who wish to carry out their own display. If you wish to view more basic guidelines please see The Firework Safety Code. Alternatively, for independent safety advice, visit the BERR government website.

CONTENT

Firework Categories and Safety Distances
Firework Purchasing Guide
Firework Storage
Clearly Defined Roles
Personal Protective Equipment
The FIREWORK Display Site
Setting Up Your Fireworks
Firing Your Display
At the End of the Display
Emergency PREPARATION & Procedures in the Event of Injury

1. FIREWORK Categories and Safety Distances

CATEGORY	DESCRIPTION	MIN SAFE DISTANCE	COMMENTS
Category 1 Indoor	Fireworks suitable for indoor use.	-	Examples: Indoor sparklers,ice fountains, party poppers.
Category 2 Outdoor	Garden fireworks suitable for restricted areas.	5 meters	-
Category 3 Display	Display fireworks suitable for private & public events	25 meters	-
Category 4 Professional	Specialist use only.	-	Not available to general public, sold to licensed operators only.

2. FIREWORK Purchasing Guide

You must be 18 years of age or over to purchase fireworks, as it is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18.
Look for the British Standard BS7114: 1988. This should be printed on all retail fireworks offered for general sale.
Check that the fuse is secure.
Check that there are no dents, bulges, cracks or splits in the casing.
Ensure that you purchase fireworks suitable for the available space, ie in the correct category to suit the recommended safety distance. (See firework categories and recommended safety distances.)
Do not purchase sparklers for children under the age of 5 years.
Never purchase items bearing the warning ‘This device must not be sold to, or used by, a member of the general public’ - as these will be Category 4 and for professional use only.
Never purchase single fireworks bearing the warning ‘not to be sold individually, must be part of a pack’. Purchase the complete pack in the manufacturer’s packaging as this packaging may carry additional warnings and instructions.
Please note that members of the public may only purchase fireworks in Categories 1, 2 and 3.

3. FIREWORK Storage

Always ensure that fireworks are kept in a dry, safe place.
A metal cabinet is ideal but should be for sole purpose of firework storage.
Keep away from any flammable substances.
We recommend that a fire extinguisher and/or bucket of sand is available.
Do not smoke anywhere near fireworks.
Keep away from any electrical equipment or sources of heat.
Always keep fireworks within the packaging in which they were delivered. These cartons are designed specifically for the storage and transportation of explosives.
An unlimited quantity of fireworks can be stored without a licence for a period of less than 14 days, providing that they are for private use (Explosives Act 1875, modified by the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991, currently under review.)

4. Clearly Defined Roles

Both before the firework display and during, restrict access to designated individuals i.e. the display team. If the team has more than one member, one individual should be designated chief firer, responsible for decision making and co-ordinating the firing of the display. If necessary an individual should also be placed on fire watch to monitor possible fires igniting nearby hazards.

One or more individuals should be nominated to watch the crowd, ensuring members of the audience (especially children) do not encroach the firing site.

5. Personal Protective Equipment

All firers should be equipped with suitable safety equipment. This will include:

Protective overalls
Safety hard hat
Face visor or protective glasses/goggles

Ear defenders are also recommended. Hard hats and face protection are cheaper than you may think and always worth the investment.

Waterproof clothing may be worn in the case of inclement weather during the set-up of a display. However, all waterproof clothing with the exception of footwear must be removed before firing. Most waterproof clothing is made of flammable materials such as nylon and plastic etc and will readily melt or catch fire if struck by burning debris. Never place Portfires in pockets.

6. The FIREWORK Display Site

Category 2 - Garden

Category 3 – Display

Other items to consider:

Ensure that the site is free of dry, cut grass and/or other combustibles.
Inspect the site in daylight to check for obstructions, eg trees, adjoining buildings and overhead lines.
Avoid locations near to standing crops, stubble fields or thatched cottages.

7. Setting Up Your Fireworks

Have no more than 3 firers for any display and issue clear instructions as to who is firing what and in what order.
Rehearse your programme.
Try to recruit people with previous experience of firework displays.
If setting up on grass, make sure that the firing zone is cut short.
Ensure that you can access each firework easily.
If manually firing, allow 1-2 metres distance between each firework.
Do not tamper with or modify the fireworks in any way.
Ensure posts for Catherine wheels are out of the way of the main display.
Always set up in the daylight.
Do not smoke when handling fireworks.
Use plastic bags to cover up all fireworks, to protect from rainfall.
Ensure that fire extinguishers and buckets of sand, in addition to those being used in the display, are available.
Always tie the fireworks behind the stakes so if they do fall over they point away from the audience rather than towards them. See example below:

For better viewing, try to raise the smaller ground fireworks by using patio slabs and a flat surface.
Where possible position the fireworks in linear order of firing to ensure a clear simple path when firing the display.
Where possible, position the fireworks to ensure all fuses are on the same side. This will eliminate the risk of traversing across the site between fireworks, or leaning over fireworks.
The display area should be laid out with larger material to the rear of the firing site:

ROCKETS, LARGE MINES

SMALL MINES,

ROMAN CANDLES, BATTERIES / CAKES

CONES / FOUNTAINS, CATHERINE WHEELS,

LANCE WORK SET PIECES

SAFETY AREA

SPECTATORS

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PRINTED ON EACH FIREWORK.
Below is a summary of methods used to safely secure different types of firework. NOTE: Methods or instructions on the safe securing and positioning of fireworks may vary.

Rockets - Fix rocket launcher (tube or frame) firmly upright in the ground. Then rest the rocket inside tube, ensuring that it is free to launch when lighted. Never insert the rocket stick into the ground.
Roman Candles - Fix securely in an upright position i.e. to a wooden stake using gaffer tape, or bury them in soft ground. Alternatively a bucket of sand can be used to secure them.
Fountains - Place on a flat surface at the front of the display. If it is a tall fountain, secure by fixing to an upright stake or part bury in soft ground. Alternatively a bucket of sand can be used to secure them.
Wheels - Fix upright post into ground firmly, for maximum effect 6-8 feet high. Affix wheel securely ensuring wheel can rotate.
Mines - Bury 50% in soft ground or fix to an upright stake.
Roman Candle Batteries (Cakes) - Attach to an upright stake, on a flat surface, and secure by taping to stake. Alternatively bury 50% in soft ground. NOTE: some candle batteries/cakes may have ‘fanned’ effects which will eject at angles to the side rather than vertically. Such cakes will be clearly labeled showing the correct orientation in relation to the audience and must be positioned accordingly.

8. Firing Your Display

The guidance notes below are based upon a manually fired display but some important key points remain that are applicable to electronically fired displays.

Communications - If there are multiple firers, or a Master of Ceremonies ensure that they are in full communication with each other, especially before commencing firing. If necessary, via a 2-way radio or similar.*
Always ensure correct PPE is worn (See Personal Protective Equipment)
Portfires should never be placed in pockets.
Use a hand held or head torch to aid visibility.
Always check that there are no none-firing personnel within the firing, fallout, or safety areas prior to firing.
Always follow the instructions printed on each firework. These should be read BEFORE the display.
Light each firework at arms length using a portfire & stand well clear. Never lean over a firework or place your body in it's firing line.
Where possible do not traverse the sight or walk over fireworks (See Setting Up Your Fireworks regarding position and fuses).

* Attention should be drawn to BS 6657 – The Prevention of Accidental Ignition of Electro Explosive Devices. This refers to the dangers of mobile phones/2-way radios in the vicinity of electro igniters, electric matches,cables, and the dangers of static build-up caused by contact with plastic chairs, etc.

9. At the End of the Display

All personnel should remain out of the firing zone until the chief firer has checked the area and designated the area safe.
‘Dud’ fireworks should be clearly identified and other personnel informed.
Leave spent and ‘dud’ fireworks to cool (at least 1 hour after lighting), then collect up using gloves or tongs.
Immerse any ‘dud’ fireworks in water.
Keep the public clear of the firing area until all fireworks and other hazards have been removed.
Do not throw used fireworks on bonfires as there may still be some live matter left which could explode.

10. Emergency preparation & Procedures in the Event of Injury

Ensure fire extinguishers and/or buckets of sand are available and kept in a designated commonly known location.
In the event of injury to firing team members or spectators stop the show.
In the rare instance an injury may occur, it is more likely to be a burn of some description. Burns first aid kits are easily available and cost a fraction of the price of fireworks. A responsible firer or organizer will ensure at least one is available and on hand. A sterile eye wash is also recommended and are also contained in some burns kits. The burns kit should also contain first aid equipment for general injuries.

References & Sources:

i) The British Pyrotechnists Association – Standard Operating Procedures

ii) The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

iii) Kimbolton Fireworks Ltd.

iv) The Firework Warehouse Ltd.

v) P. Bowker (Firework Displays Manager) – 21^st Century Fireworks Ltd.

The Firework Safety Code

Only buy fireworks that comply with British Standards and are marked BS7114.
Do not drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.
Keep fireworks in a closed box, preferably metal.
Read, using a torch if necessary, and follow the instructions on each firework precisely.
Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper or safety lighter.
Stand well back at recommended safety distance.
Never approach an ignited firework that has failed to go off.
Never carry fireworks in a pocket, or throw them.
Always supervise children around fireworks.
Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
Never give sparklers to children under the age of 5.
Keep pets indoors.

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