Firework Types & Explosives & how they work Part 3

High Explosives

Alfred Nobel showed that by careful adjustment of the grain size of gunpowder and suitable confinement of the reaction, that a detonation wave could be produced. The speed of combustion has been so accelerated that it has broken the sound barrier and gone super sonic. You are now in the realms of high explosive.

Deflagatory explosives decompose energetically by a process of chemical combustion; high explosives decompose energetically by a process of physical destruction. A detonator produces a super- sonic shock wave which scythes through the inter-atomic bonds that hold the molecules of the high explosive together. The released energy from these broken bonds then travels out to propagate the reaction.

The force of the high explosives is not dependent on the production of hot gases, but by the creation of a physical shock wave.

Basic high explosives are single substances and, since oxidising agents do not play a part in their decomposition, many can be quite safely ignited and they will burn like wood or paper.

High explosives can of course be mixed together, Lyddite, Gelignite are examples of mixed explosives.

It should be noted that Aluminium Nitrate can be used as an oxidising agent as well as a high explosive and is used in the manufacture of Amatol to get rid of the clouds of black smoke produced by the detonation of TNT.

Nuclear

Whereas high explosives involve the breaking down of molecules into atoms, nuclear explosions involve breaking down atoms into their sub-atomic particles

Nuclear explosions are Matter/Anti-matter reactions in which the Matter (Electrons, Protons, Neutrons etc.) are destroyed to produce Anti- matter (pure energy).

Fire precautions involving nuclear explosions are beyond the scope of this course.

The Keeping and Storage of Explosives

It is likely that Operators will at some stage need to keep explosives in temporary storage before a display, or after it in the case of unused items-

Explosives Act requirements

The Act requires explosives, including fireworks, to be kept in a factory or magazine licensed by the HSE, or in premises registered with the Local Authority. The quantities and types that may be kept will depend on the particulars of the licence.

Exceptions to this are where explosives are delivered to a site for use on that day, or where they are stored privately in accordance with the Control of Explosives Regulations 1991, as below.

Control of Explosives Regulations 1991

These Regulations allow, among other things, the storage of an unlimited quantity of fireworks on private premises for up to fourteen days before private use. This concession is however of no value to Operators who are giving commercial public displays.

Special Requirements for Fireworks

Operators are likely to require licensed or registered storage. In the latter case, the quantities that may be stored will vary according to the authorisation, and may range from a few kilos up to several tonnes.

The storage will need to be within easy road reach site, so that the items can be delivered and set up within the day.

MSER

Now in force took many of the older and less known explosives regulations (some of them listed) and wrapped them up into one all encompassing piece of legislation. It governs every aspect of Firework Storage, Manufacture & Use. Storage is determined by Hazard Type, Distance and an assessment of the pros and cons of any one site, the ACOP that accompanies the legislation is designed to help you interpret and put into place safe working practices.

Manufacture of Fireworks

Wherever they are manufactured, only fireworks designed and manufactured with care should be used for displays-

Main sources of Supply

Fireworks factories were set up in European countries and in the United States during the last few hundred years, producing fireworks for private and public use, and for the manufacture of other pyrotechnic articles such as signal flares, line-throwing rockets, etc.

However, after the Second World War, labour costs in the industrialised world raised to the point where the manufacture of fireworks in many cases became uneconomic, and a large proportion of the activity shifted to areas of the world where labour costs are low.

Imports into the UK

Imported fireworks have to be authorised and classified by the HSE, and this represents some restriction to ensure that fireworks of unknown or unsatisfactory composition and performance cannot legally be held or used.

Firework Importation and British Standards

Imports into the UK

Imported fireworks have to be authorised and classified by the HSE, and this represents some restriction to ensure that fireworks of unknown or unsatisfactory composition and performance cannot legally be held or used.

BS 7114 1988

This British Standard was introduced to bring some order and definition to the range and variety of fireworks available to the public, particularly in the light of increased imports, as above. The underlying purpose was to enhance the safety of fireworks by the specification of construction and performance, and by the provision of instructions for their proper use.

Categories of Fireworks

Part 1 of the Standard defines fireworks under four Categories, depending on how they are to be used, and lists and briefly describes the types in each Category.

Category 1

Should not cause injury to people standing 1m or more away, and not cause damage to property.

In the case of hand-held fireworks, should not cause injury to the holder.

Category 2

Should not cause injury to people standing 5m or more away. In the case of sparklers, the holder should not be injured by hot slag dropping, nor by sparks. Any fuse fitted should allow the person igniting the firework to withdraw at least 5m before initiation.

Category 3

Should not cause injury to people standing 25m or more away. People firing these fireworks would be expected to wear suitable PPE.

Category 4

Fireworks which are incomplete and/or not intended for public sale.

Other requirements of the Standard

Part 2 of the Standard gives the specifications for each type in each Category, including requirements for marking and labelling. Part 3 describes the test methods.

There are no references in Parts 2 and 3 of the Standard to Category 4 fireworks. Part 1 recommends that they be marked with the warning “This device must not be sold to, or used by, a member of the general public”. It also forbids any marking referring to the Standard on, or in relation to, Category 4 fireworks.

Preliminary Regulations for Packing & Transport

These were referred to at the start of the course-‘Classification and Labelling of Explosives 1983’ These Regulations first brought explosives in the UK within UN classification system, as described above.

Before explosives are transported, kept, or supplied –

· They must be classified and assigned to a UN number and Compatibility Group, as above

· The packages must be marked with the UN name and number, and labelled with two Class warning signs, normally 100mm square, showing the Division and Compatibility Group

Packaging of Explosives for Carriage 1991

The UN specifications for packaging

The UN specifies types of packaging, and assigns codes to them. For fireworks, the most common types are likely to be the fibreboard box type 4 G. Note that this UN packaging code has nothing to do with the UN Division and Compatibility Group letter 1.4 G.

Performance testing of packaging

Explosives must normally be carried in UN-approved packaging. An approved package is one where a prototype has successfully undergone the UN performance tests for the type at a Government-approved test establishment. Apart from the type approval, the packaging must be suitable in all respects, e.g. undamaged.

No one may carry explosives if they know that they are not in compliance, e.g. they are not in UN-approved packaging, or otherwise exempt.

Basic Fireworks Training Course

BRITANNIA FIREWORKS TRAINING COURSE MAIN OBJECTIVES

This is to ensure that Display Firers have a full understanding of these general areas-

· Background law covering the storage, transport, and use of fireworks, and the difficulties & responsibilities involved in the operation of a fireworks display

· Communication before the display with other parties

· What makes a suitable fireworks display site, including surrounding areas

· Transport of materials to the site, in safety and in compliance with regulations

· Practical aspects of setting up the fireworks display safely.

· Safe firing of the display, including spectator management

· Complete clearance of the site after the display, leaving it tidy and safe for the public

INDUCTION COURSE

Delegates will be taught the theory behind the safe use of fireworks and will also receive lessons of a practical nature in the tasks associated with setting up safe firework displays in order the work towards BPA Exam Level 1.

The second phase will be a further training period with the delegate attending shows with Britannia Fireworks & Events , to ascertain his/her level of competence. Further to this various tasks will be given, educating and increasing the level of skill as the trainee works through to Level two of the training Scheme. The number of shows will be dependent upon previous experience held by the delegate (minimum 12 shows from level 1), as they will have to demonstrate that they are familiar with all aspects of setting up and firing a display

COURSE STANDARDS

The principal aim behind the course will be safety, particularly with the safety of the public and spectators in mind. Also, that it covers all the responsibilities associated with the display, not only the “Firework” element of the display, but also other activities involved in organising the whole event etc… We feel that this is not only beneficial in terms of additional knowledge, and the possible involvement with crowd control and similar aspects, but also in communicating and understanding successfully the needs of our clients etc..

BACKGROUND PRINCIPALS – KEY & GENERAL REGULATIONS

These are key background Regulations affecting the manufacture, supply, and use of fireworks, and the operation of displays. Fireworks are exempt from some of the regulations concerned with explosives, but are mentioned in passing so that Firers are at least aware of their existence and associated responsibilities. We shall also cover the basic principles of explosives in general

If you are interested in attending a Fireworks Training Course then please contact our team at Britannia Fireworks & Events

Wedding Fireworks Displays with Music

Starting in 2008 we decide to try and bring Fireworks with Music to the masses. Despite what people might think there is such a huge difference in standard Fireworks Displays and those which are fired to music.

Yes we use the same fireworks in our music shows as we do in standard shows but its how we use them that is fundamentally different. In a standard show it’s the fireworks them selves which tend to dictate pace, colour and intensity yet with the music show it is of course the music which will dictate the pace of the show which will also dictate the colours and materials used.

Firing and Designing to music is nice because we get the chance to go through themes of colour and noise, quiet sections and heavy sections, the flow varies with the music and it’s a challenge to try and replicate the vision from the audible, to try and take that emotion created by the music and double up with a visual spectacle to.

Having done quite a few Music shows this year with Fireworks and Weddings its also been nice to get more involved with the clients at a more personal level. The music they choose for their wedding fireworks are chosen for a specific a very personal reason. Just last night we had a show where the bride was reduced to tears, the show was set to music from the “Gladiator”, I had a great time creating it as it was a fantastic choice of Music. We topped it off with Nessum Dorma and an entire sequence for the Finale in just pure gold…wow

At the other end of the scale we have put together a short show for this coming week for a Birthday Party, the client had a more tongue in cheek approach to the event and chose to play “Baywatch Theme” knowing full well this would raise smile. Funnily enough I happen to think the Firework Show will look great with that music, the tune and its pace work really well with Fireworks, its quite powerful and the though of David Hassle Hoff running through the smoke is enough for anyone.

Our team competed in the British Pyromusical Championships in 2003 and took a respected 2^nd place, in the following year some of us also helped out All-star Fireworks when they won in 2004 using material imported by Britannia Fireworks.

Needless to say Fireworks and music are in our blood, we enjoy rising to the challenge and fulfilling our clients expectations if not actually surpassing them. We enjoy the challenge of good design and using the materials and effects we have to hand to create a visual spectacular using Fireworks, Pyrotechnics and other special effects. We also enjoy the embrace of modern Firework Firing Technology and the ability it gives us to replicate our vision using a combination of methods and skills, that for the most go un noticed in terms of behind the scenes work. Yet the up front explosion of Fireworks does not and there is nothing better than an ecstatic audience at the end of a show!

Fireworks from around the World – Valencia Part 3

Of the Four shows put on each night you notice that as you go from one day to the next the Firework Displays get much bigger, containing far more Fireworks than the previous nights. Many More Mortar Tubes and Shells can be seen along with loads more Roman Candles and Flying Saucers.

This particular show is from the Firing Site of the 2005 Las Fallas celebration and the site is courtesy of Ricardo Caballier from near Valencia. They are without doubt or at least in my opinion one of the best Firework Display Companies in the world. They have a whole cupboard full of international trophies and medals.

Whats even more impressive to me is the fact that they make and manufacture virtually every Firework which is on the site. My own company have imported Fireworks from them before and we have used a good number and variety of Spanish Fireworks over the last 14 years and they are certainly the best we have used. They are so reliable, spot on with timings and the quality of the compositions are also really on the mark.

The show that night in 2005 still sticks out in my mind, the Spanish companies really go in for colour coordination as well as coordination of colours with effects. The themes are really noticeable and you can see that both audience and operator get excited by being able to see these themes as they happen. They also make great use of firing rhythm which helps make the show exciting.

The part that really made an impression on me were the skill and timing used to take effectively small individual fireworks and create symmetrical patterns and firing rhythms’ that really got the hairs on end. It appealed to everyone, even someone who knows absolutely nothing about fireworks, and let’s face it that is the aim to simply entertain and entertain well!.

I brought back to Britannia Fireworks that day a vision that we would use rhythm and skill to create the shows we provided as well as just good quality material. That way the audience are clapping you and not just the Fireworks (as my Father would tell me!)

Fireworks From Around The World - Valencia

What really impresses me about my trips to Valencia is the spirit of the locals and just how stylish and relaxed they all seem to be. The whole outdoor eating culture and Tapas eaten over a 2 hour Lunch is just perfect for me. This attitude is no more prominent than in the organisation of the Evening Fireworks Displays which take place on the Dry River Bed that cuts through Valencia. I say in the evening it is actually around 1am in the morning! This alone amazes me, you would never see anything like that in Britain, and the Local Authorities would never dare.

The City itself is Gorgeous and there is so much to do, the Dry River Bed where the large Night time Firework Display happen is actually a park open to the public, there are areas of grass, orange trees and open water areas where people laze the lovely sunny days away. The Firing Site is located in-between two bridges and is on what looks like a purpose created area. It is football pitch sized and is just gritty sand, probably made up from the hundreds of sandbags used, broken and left there after each show. Next to the firing area which is all fenced off is a café and you can be sure that each day for late lunch there is a whole host of international Anoraks gathered chewing their food and discussing the contents of the looming show which is set up ready to go just 50 metres away from them.

The set ups alone are quite impressive, no doubt even to those who do not have a clue what it is all for. Rows and rows of neatly laid racks and mortar tubes, Roman Candles, Cake Barrages and Flying Saucers litter the site in an orderly set up. Usually there is also a healthy compliment of computerised sequencer boxes and single shot arrangements, simply put this enables the Fireworks Operators to control via computer each and every single pyrotechnic effect. Now usually a firework is lit electrically and from that point on the rest of the fireworks timing Is controlled by the internal or external fusing. Now this fusing can be fairly accurate but some can also be fairly inaccurate, so it’s the done thing these days in large scale events to create real controlled design through electrical ignition of single effects. This means we can lay hundreds of cables, connections and igniters, even 1000’s and just for a few seconds of fireworks, massive effort for only a small amount of time. However its well worth it because for those few seconds you can create precisely what your imagination dreams of.

Once we have scanned the firing site we all try to have a guess at what is coming in the show that Night, second guessing what the layout will achieve in the Air, and of course we can see the total amount of stuff to be used and interestingly as the days and nights roll by the shows grow in size and by the last Night the Tennis Court sized firing area is bulging with around £100.000 worth of Fireworks.

Lee and the team from Britannia Fireworks will report on one of the shows seen and the carnival atmosphere in a future Blog