Running an outdoor fireworks display

[petef]

Hi

 

I've run a few indoor pyro displays, and a few years ago I managed to be a roadie on the rigging/running/derig of a large scale divali fireworks display in Leicester. But I was wondering there are a few small charities I know who are interested in me running a few displays for them next year. I'd be using a professional firing system (Pyromate or similar) as well as professional fireworks (Kimbolton or the like). Anyway, apart from the relevant insurances does anyone know if there any liscences/courses I will have to attend/attain?

 

Kind Regards

 

Pete F

[dunk_1984]

I don't know the specifics, but I have been involved in a few displays (my mum was on the organisation side) and the fireworks people had to go on a training course and get a certificate etc to say they know what they are doing or something... I'm guessing this was an insurance requirement, but I don't know whether it is a legal one....

[mumbles]

About 10 years ago, my parents took on the annual fireworks display for a local school they were involved in, which they continued to do for 5 years. They aren't trained, but spent a long time talking to Kimbolton and they (Kimbolton) were happy with all the measures put in place, so were happy to sell cat 3 fireworks for the displays.

 

I can't comment on what they would say know, but your best bet is to speak to them, as they will know the situation, and were really helpful with things like insurance and RAs. As I say, my parents stopped doing this a good few years back, due in part to the increasing difficulties of insurance and legislation, so things may have changed, but give them a ring and they will be about the best placed to help.

[Ike]

What do you mean by professional fireworks?

 

Nobody *should* sell you category 4 fireworks unless you are a professional firework company with year round insurance, however category 3 fireworks can still make an impressive show.

 

Under the MSER you are allowed to store up to 50kg of hazard type four explosives (this does not include all category three fireworks!) for non commercial use without registering with the local authority however if you are providing a service in exchange for money or charging entry to an event you must register no matter what quantities you store.

[dunk_1984]

Under the MSER you are allowed to store up to 50kg of hazard type four explosives (this does not include all category three fireworks!) for non commercial use without registering with the local authority however if you are providing a service in exchange for money or charging entry to an event you must register no matter what quantities you store.

 

 

I'm guessing we got round this (if we had that much) by picking them up on the day, then laying them into the ground before blowing them all up :biggrin:

[slipstream]

YOu could make a start using Cat 3 (retailable) fireworks the hazard class thing applies only to storage - some of the bigger domestic stuff is very close to the pro cat 4 in terms of quantity and quality of output. Just the pricing is higher to cover the retail packing and testing regime. You will not be able to get shells and the like but IMHO you can live without them these days for most smaller shows.

The Insurance experts will do you a 1 day insurance for cat 3 only - and the storage is not an issue if you buy the show from 1 source and use it all for the gig.

 

Sam

[chappy]

take a look at

 

www.fireworkemporium.co.uk

 

offer great fireworks at reasonable prices and most are cat. 3 also all the fireworks are on a video for each one so you can see what each one does.

 

they should be able to give you the info for what you need and what you are able to do.

 

 

chappy

 

Now with added clickability!

[lonfire]

I'd be using a professional firing system (Pyromate or similar) as well as professional fireworks (Kimbolton or the like). Anyway, apart from the relevant insurances does anyone know if there any liscences/courses I will have to attend/attain?

 

I feel this is a similar to posting something like "I want to rewire my lighting patch bay, I know the live is brown, is there anything else I need to know" in the electrical forum..

 

so my answer is going to be this.. if you have to ask you shouldn't be doing it..

 

as Ike said, nobody should sell you cat4 fireworks if your not pro.. i.e. 365 day insurance, licenced storage as a minimum requirement..

 

you can do cat3 shows, companies like the insurance experts and events insurance will do insurance for you (but it'll be expensive)..

 

also.. if your using a pro firing system you'll need to put ignitors into the fireworks, which is a process of modification which makes them cat4, pro only..

 

sorry if you are more competant than I'm assuming..

 

btw. there are no "offical" courses for letting off fireworks.. there are plenty of cat3 courses around, and the likes of the BPA do their own exams which are the closest thing to a recognised course in the industry..

 

rgds

chris

[Jivemaster]

http://www.kimboltonfireworks.co.uk/pages/training.htm is one usefull page. The insurancexperts reccommend a training course by Illuminate training ring the insurers for contacts. some people offer the BPA level 1 & 2. Steve at illuminate will go thru all the business and legal and MSER requirements, customising the course for you.

[Firemonkey]

As has been said. to buy proffessional fireworks (cat4) you would require insurance and storage. And fitting electric ignition to cat 3 cancels out ALL product insurance from your supplier. You really need to know what you are doing to do this.

Bpa course level 1 and 2 would cover all the theoretical knowledge you need to run an outdoor display but you need to have a log book showing a level of experience way beyond what you have, signed off by a professional company.

You also need to complete risk assessments, notifications to local authorities, police, fire brigade, possibly air traffic control, etc. etc.

My guess is that insurers would not touch this without you showing considerably more experience as well.

 

I would suggest contacting an established company and running the shows under their guidance and supervision.

Most companies will be happy to do this giving you a %age and firers fee. We certainly would if you're interested.

 

ANY other course of action, including use of cat3, could be a recipe for disaster, which would be bad for you, any victims, and the industry.

 

best regards

[circusfreak]

Ive been involved in organizing a firework display and we had to get a team of profesionals to come and do it all. We were not aloud to have anything to do with them.

[lonfire]

We were not aloud to have anything to do with them.

 

there choice? or restrictions on you?

[Brian]

We were not aloud to have anything to do with them.

 

there choice? or restrictions on you?

Given that's he's only just turned 16 then I rather suspect that their age might be a reason.

[Nicktaylor]

I organise the local display in my village. Until recently the person in charge of the display itself was a Fantastic Firework trained person to level where he could use cat 4 fireworks. He also was covered for the firework display by the insurance of FF, though our liability insurance covered us for the event. Now although I was in charge of the stewarding , setting up the field etc and liaising with police and Local Authorities, I could if I wished help set up the display. BUT once the display was under way all fireworks were let off by trained people. This was up to about four I think. Their training was/is not to the same level as the Chiefs, but it was not a case of "her is a taper ,go and let that one off"! In fact I think because we were a fairly big customer of FF they did the training.

[lonfire]

Given that's he's only just turned 16 then I rather suspect that their age might be a reason.

 

ahha.. yeah, that would do it!

 

rgds

chris