Fireworks/Pyrotechnic Licencing In UK

[Ozpyro]

Hi All-Just a quick query from the Antipodes (go the Wallabies!)

 

What organisation licences fireworks display operators in the UK, and what are their contact details?

 

Any help would be most appreciated.

 

Cheers fellas (and may Johnny Wilkinson never score another goal against Australia again!)

[Brian]

At the moment no-one, anybody can fire them. Many local authorities or insurance companies insist on operators being trained but there is no national training scheme.

 

All that is about to change with the passing into law of the Fireworks Bill which can be read here. The bill itself says very little about what will happen, it is merely an 'enabling act' which allows the government to make regulations without having to refer back to parliament (a bit like the H&S act).

 

We await the small print with interest.

[egw]

If you want to buy CAT 4 fireworks (or some of the large CAT 3) you will have to prove that you are a professional, which is most easily done by owning or working for a fireworks company and having the appropriate insurances. However, to manufacture fireworks or to store large quantities of them you must have a license from the Home Office. If you plan on transporting a large quantity of fireworks then you will need a driver trained in the transport of explosives which is a ticket also issued by the Home Office.

 

As a non-compulsary thing the British Pyrotechnists Association does run an "accreditted firers scheme" which requires your company to be a BPA member (or for you to be working for a BPA company) when you qualify. Many well respected British companies are members and if you want more specific help then getting in touch with them is probably your best bet. There are also other groups which it is worth knowing about if you plan on doing a lot of work over here (e.g. the Explosives Industry Group).

 

Have fun

 

Ed