Just FX Pyro Awareness Course - Sun 19th July

[Ynot]

Well, having finally managed to get to one of Lincoln's much vaunted day-long courses, I was asked to give the Blue Room a bit of a report on the day, which may hopefully lead to a few more members taking up the challenge and booking their slots in the future.

 

Where to start.....

 

The venue, a slight change from the norm at Warwick Uni (they've been on the main WAC stage or in Butterworth Hall up to now) was the studio theatre - which to be honest was as suitable a space as you really need for such an event (though a little more height on a couple of occasions might have been useful!!), though it was a shame the cafe didn't open until the time we were due to start (10am) which meant caffeine levels were a little low - but hey ho. :)

 

The crux of the morning's sessions was a practiced demonstration of some of the varied effects available, how they were ignited (NOT detonated... ;)) and how they could be wired. Each delegate had a bit of a hands-on look at the innards of a basic flash-pot, and wired up a bare ignitor in a long series circuit and bravely held on whilst the instructors fired them off in one big.... well, small 'phut!'.

 

Legislation was, of course, covered in some measure, though thankfully Linc kept his word NOT to bore the pants off the delegates by spouting for a day each on the various aspects of safety, storage, transport and other such important topics. Suffice it to say, however, that the main essential points for pyro users to be wary of were covered in more than enough detail to give everyone what they needed to know. And anyone needing to know more can always ask the question - and get that day's worth of extra lecture over the phone if they wish. B-)

 

The afternoon, of course, was where it all started to get more interesting. In the groups there were several non-tech types who were interspersed with those of us with a little more savvy, and we all set to creating our own little demo of a set of pyro effects selected by the Just FX team. And as no two sets were alike, it made for some interesting presentations...

Of course the big hurdle came when each team had to actually present the presentations.....

Being predominantly behind the scenes bods, few there were really very practiced at standing and speaking in front of the crowd, but with only a few minor exceptions, I reckon we all did as well as could be expected.... :D

I think yours truly, however, certainly did deserve the prize for classic mis-cue during one of these - hand/eye/other hand/verbal co-ordination had all gone completely to pot - I'll leave that there for now.....

 

Anyway, the culmination of the day was a cracking end-of-course co-operative effort, where everyone got involved in prepping a major setup of pyro from flown bars, floor troughs and more - with several hundred pounds worth going up in (a lot of) smoke in about 30 seconds!

 

All in all, quite an enjoyable day - and certainly NOT one that you're likely to drop off in mid-way...! :)

 

For those of you who've not yet done this course, and either use or want to use pyro on stage, it's a definite must. It doesn't matter if you've been using the stuff for years, or have yet to do so, there's something there to be learned.

And, of course, attendance means you get to join the fraternity that is the ASP.

 

Keep an eye open here on the BR, or indeed the ASP web site, for future dates.

Costs vary, depending on who is hosting the day, so you'll need to check with them (eg ABTT, Stage LX etc).

I'm considering playing host at Nuneaton to a version of the course (we do have a couple of restrictions over the bigger venues) but there are plenty of options available throughout the year.

[the kid]

IIR from my one a few years ago, the 1st thing we did was a good coffee replacement of letting off all maroon sizes.

[gunner]

I did the same course in birmingham a few years ago and I would also recomend it, and we also started with maroons of all sizes.

[lightsource]

For those of you who've not yet done this course, and either use or want to use pyro on stage, it's a definite must. It doesn't matter if you've been using the stuff for years, or have yet to do so, there's something there to be learned.

And, of course, attendance means you get to join the fraternity that is the ASP.

 

Reading this, and looking at the ASP's membership criterea, how does that make you a 'qualified' pyrotechnician?

 

(I've been doing Pyros since 1984).....

 

This is not a criticism Ynot, just asking a simple question about knowledge, RA, Creativity and execution of said creativity :P from the point of view of the course.

 

It just seems to me that The criteria for joining the ASP is a little weak. Considring the repercussions or things going wrong.

 

All comments on this appreciated.

 

Edit to add.............

 

and we also started with maroons of all sizes.

 

And I think that's the point in fact. Maroons can kill people, or at very least seriously injure them........So you started with them! Where did you end up?

[Jivemaster]

The pyro safety awareness course does just what it says on the tin! It introduces the use of pyro with safety and legal compliance in mind. It is not a pryo creativity course.

 

The practical part of the day is spent on devices, circuits and controllers with practical exercises.

 

The safety and compliance part is about the legal acquisition, transport and storage of pyrotechnic materials.

 

I seriously doubt that anyone is fully aware of all the Acts, Regulations and ACOP's that apply to pyro unless they have done a good and relevant pyro course reasonably recently (because legislation changes over time).

 

The ASP course is a great day, it introduces the legal compliance, safety, and practical aspects of stage pyro, and successful participants are listed on the Association www so that potential work providers can have a credible check.

 

There is a lot that isn't covered in terms of artistry, but that would take months and cost thousands and still not produce all the options and answers.

 

If you want to do pyro then you need to do the course, and understand the content, plus it's a gerat day out whether you or your employer pays for it.

[scjb]

Reading this, and looking at the ASP's membership criterea, how does that make you a 'qualified' pyrotechnician?

(I've been doing Pyros since 1984).....

 

I think the course is designed to give the layman a comprehensive introduction to the types of effect out there, how best to use them and an overview of relevant legislation, hence the "Awareness" part of the title. As an aside, I've been doing pyro full-time (well, as full-time as pyro actually gets...) since 2000 (having shot my first pyro whilst at school :P some ten years before that), and I still learn things when I do courses.

 

and we also started with maroons of all sizes.

And I think that's the point in fact. Maroons can kill people, or at very least seriously injure them........So you started with them! Where did you end up?

Personally, I think it's a rocky road to start saying that maroons are more dangerous than flash or flame or anything else. The risk is there for all product. In fairness, you have to start somewhere, and maroons are as good a place as any. I must admit, when giving demo's, I vary between starting "small" and starting "big". There can be good arguments for both depending on the audience.

[Ynot]

Well, as has already been said, this course is not in fact a training course - but an awareness course.

The definition of a course can vary depending on the overall aims of the sessions involved - in this case it was very much a 'show and try' sort of event. Some there, like myself, have been using pyro for years. Others were complete newcomers to the job, including one chap in my group who had enough sense for his own total inexperience that he refused to even push the button on a team pyro exercise - deferring to one of the others instead.

 

However, whilst it was not a course that states "You are now qualified to work pyro" it did send everyone away with more knowledge than they arrived - regardless of experience. I know I took several things away that I wasn't aware of before.

 

The problem is that whilst the use of pyro in the UK is non-licenced the ability to buy, install and fire the variety of effects from a simple TFM all the way up to large maroons, rockets and comets cannot be checked and managed. In our venue, because of the experience I've had over 30 years and that of some of my team, we closely manage that aspect in-house. I've stopped several shows from using pyro for various reasons - no-one with adequate knowledge being one, and another bing the group which had bought 20 ft gerbs to use in our 16 ft high stage...!

 

Now, as to the ASP - as I understand it, it's not a register of qualified pyro techs, more a gathering place for like minded individuals and a sounding board for them to discuss the specific issues.

 

I'm sure Brian/Linc won't mind me reproducing the mission statement:

 

Mission Statement

 

The purpose of the Association is to:

• Formalise a group of like minded technicians, operators and managers who wish to share information and dialogue regarding the safe use of theatrical pyrotechnics in stage, concert and conference environments.
  
• Promote the safe handling, storage, transport and use of a specified range of theatrical pyrotechnic devices.
  
• Promote training in the safe and appropriate use of a specified range of theatrical pyrotechnic devices, leading to recognition and certification by the Association.
  
• Provide a forum service for all members working with stage pyrotechnics.
  
• Provide a centralised register of operators experience and training.
  
• Provide a verification service to External Agencies including Local Authority Licensing Departments, Fire Service and Insurance
  

Membership in itself does not make me qualified. Nor does it mean I've been trained. What is does mean is that it shows I have attended the awareness course (in my personal details, available to other members) and acceptance into the association is based on this as a minimum. From there, each member can detail their own experience in using the medium of pyro which can help others appreciate where their capabilities lie.

It's not a foolproof system - members could quite easily list a load of shows that they maybe had something small to do with that had pyro - or even list shows where they've personally controlled the effects but did so in an unsafe way (though without serious incident) - but as with all things if you talk with people on a subject you know well, it can become clear when the other party has nor real grasp on the rights/wrongs... :P

[Jivemaster]

With the Association's committment to safety and regulatory compliance, there is no better place to get a grounding in entertainment pyro competence. There is no other course that covers the ground and keeps fully up to date with necessary changes.

[Brian]

As one of the course tutors...

 

...how does that make you a 'qualified' pyrotechnician?

 

It's worth pointing out that in the UK there is not such thing (yet) as a qualified pyrotechnician. Legally all that is required is that you are competent, the definition of which I've posted before in other topics so I'll not repeat it here.

 

My (yet) refer to the fact that very shortly the UK will be obliged to bring in a law to implement the EU pyro directive. One requirement of this is that it will need to put in place a legal definition of 'Persons with Specialist Knowledge'. This new law (technically a new regulation) will affect everyone who uses pyro.

 

 

It just seems to me that The criteria for joining the ASP is a little weak. Considering the repercussions or things going wrong.

 

Membership of the ASP offers no evidence of anything other than the fact that someone attended a training course. See my comments on competence.

 

 

Maroons can kill people, or at very least seriously injure them........So you started with them! Where did you end up?

Actually the greatest number of incidents are caused by Medium Theatrical Flashes and Silver Jets. Although to keep things in perspective the total number is very small.

[the kid]

I feel a split coming on.

 

Does this EU directive mean that anyone using pyro would have to have a ticket saying they can?

[Ynot]

I feel a split coming on.

 

Does this EU directive mean that anyone using pyro would have to have a ticket saying they can?

I doubt that anyone will actually commit to what the changes in legislation will actually say, but I for one will be all in favour of proper licencing - ie only those with such a ticket will be allowed to purchase, set up and fire pyrotechnic effects. This would make things a LOT easier to maintain safe working practices.

 

However, that said, I believe that there have in fact been very few actual misahps with pyro. I've been involved (as I mentioned above) with a small number of potential near misses where misuse and dangerous use have been avoided by implementing local control. But formalising this would to my mind make things far easier in the long run for more people and venues.

[Brian]

Does this EU directive mean that anyone using pyro would have to have a ticket saying they can?

 

The directive requires theatrical pyro devices to be put into 1 of 2 categories (just as currently fireworks are 1 of 4). T1 are devices for general use; T2 are devices for use by persons with 'Specialist Knowledge'. But the directive doesn't define 'Specialist Knowledge' so the UK government will have to. Nor does it define where the split between T1 and T2 is but there is an EU working party looking at that split.

 

Watch this space.

[Jivemaster]

The member's area of the ASP's www is one of the best places to look for matters affecting stage pyro. without staying up to date most people's competence falls away as the regulations and best practise evolve.

 

It may well come that pyro becomes fully "ticketable" -no ticket no do pyro. The full answers will only be known when the UK Gov has all the definitions and impliments the EU Pyro Directive, which is still in the unspecified future, probably in the order of a few years but the wheels of EU and State lawmaking can grind slowly.

[Brian]

... which is still in the unspecified future, probably in the order of a few years but the wheels of EU and State lawmaking can grind slowly.

 

The EU directive requires member states to have legislation in place for CAT 1, CAT 2 and CAT 3 fireworks by 4th July 2010 and for other pyrotechnic articles by 4th July 2013. However, this means that ALL legislation will in effect have to be in place by next July. Given the required timetable for introducing new laws this means that the new UK regulation will have to be signed into law by 4th January 2010 if it is to meet the 4th July deadline.

[lightsource]

Thanks to all who commented on my question, I was looking at it as weather it was a viable option (from a learning point of view) to attend the course myself (maybe with one or two of my staff members).

 

Ynot - Thanks for the mission statement, I'll have a more detailed look into the objectives.

 

Brian - Possible new legislation, I hadn't heard of this, so will look into it further.

 

The Kid - Rather than a split, maybe a new topic, I don't have the knowledge to hand to start this, but it maybe worth a discussion if there are some facts available. Another relative question, are fireworks and stage pyrotechnics going to be classified together? That could make things interesting.

 

Actually the greatest number of incidents are caused by Medium Theatrical Flashes and Silver Jets. Although to keep things in perspective the total number is very small.

 

Brian, to discuss this further, could this be because they are the most commonly used devices? I've never had problems with Theatrical Flashes or Silver Stars. Silver Jets haven't been much of a problem, although I did get it wrong once, but only with the angles involved on a horizontal firing. I've had 1 gerb launch the band off a stage, when the bass player accidentaly knocked it over once it had fired with his guitar lead.

 

Maroons on the other hand..... The issues are mainly flying debris related.

 

We had a similar problem with Microdets.... They may be non-fragmenting, but it can mean that the body shoots out at high velocity.

 

Any comments appreciated.