Firework Safety

Make your firework display a fun filled extravaganza just by following these key points on…”

• Planning
• Choosing a site
• Organising event members and stewards
• Things to do before the event
• Day of the event
• Firing the display
• Having a bonfire
• After the display and clearing up.

Planning:

Planning your event can take a lot of hard work and organising skills, so it is useful to set up a small organising committee to run the event. Designate jobs and clearly define each committee member’s role in making your event a success.

Choosing a site:

You must always visit a potential site in daylight before considering it and assess it for the following points

• is it large enough for your event
• the direction of prevailing wind
• is it flexible for changes if unforeseen problems arise, such as changes in the direction of the prevailing wind on the day of the event
• is the firing area free of any overhead obstructions such as power lines and trees
• is there plenty of unobstructed access and exits points for the expected number of spectators

When you have chosen your site you should inform the:

• Local authority
• Fire brigade
• Police services
• Nearby nursing homes and farms with animals
• If applicable the coast guard and airport authority

Organising event members and stewards:

You should always ensure that you have enough stewards for the number of spectators you expect a rough rule of thumb is one steward for every 250 people. Your stewards should wear fluorescent jackets or bibs as this will make them readily identifiable to spectators. Stewards will be required to remain at the event from its outset until its end and everything has been made safe. Their roles should include:

• Acting as car park attendants if required
• Providing information
• Keeping spectators behind the barriers

All stewards and event members should be aware of the emergency procedure and have practised it in safety drills. Never allow stewards or event organisers to have or consume alcohol before or during the event.

Stewards must also ensure that during the event, NO fireworks including sparklers or alcohol are brought onto the site, this information must also be sign posted at each entrance.

Arrange for all event organisers and stewards to have a means of communication between themselves and access to phones in the event of an emergency.

Things to do before the event:

When organising a fireworks event you should always ensure you have the following in place

Adequate public liability insurance, to cover any firework related injuries or damage on the day of the event.

• Secure storage for the fireworks.
• First aid station
• A public address system, or as a minimum, a loud megaphone
• Fire extinguishers, buckets of water and sand and metal bins.
• Plenty of electric torches with full batteries.
• Any signs necessary
• Artificial lighting if required for all exits and entrance points.

The day of the event:

The day of the event you should check the site and examine weather conditions in order to determine if the site is still suitable for the event as planned.

Arrange fireworks, which should comply with BS7114, to be delivered to the secure storage unit and examine them for any defects or damage. Also at this stage read and become familiar with the instructions on each firework.

Erect any necessary lighting equipment and signs and barriers for spectator safety.

Prepare your firing area for the equipment and fireworks you intend to use. At a suitable time, prior to the designated firing time position your fireworks as planned. If rain is expected, cover them loosely with polythene bags, these should be removed just prior to lighting the fireworks. If the fireworks will be sat on the ground then think if the ground is damp or wet if it is then I also reccomend a plastic bag underneath each firework

Firing the display:

The firing order and timing of your fireworks is very important as this will determine if the event is a success or not. It is normal to start your show with a loud bang, then firing the remaining fireworks alternating between noise and colour, and ground and aerial effects. Keep one or more large pieces as your finale. A simple idea which gives volume to any display is if you have two or more rows of the same firework set out. Fire them as pairs or sets of the same firework, this gives a wider spread for the spectators to enjoy.

Ideally the person or persons lighting the fireworks should have some previous experience of firing a fireworks display and should be the only people permitted on the firing site. They should wear protective hats, goggles and protective overalls.

Never allow any one on the firing area to smoke.

All fireworks should be lit using a safety lighter, such as a Portfire. Never use matches or disposable lighters. Portfires can normally be obtained from most Firework Importers.

In the event of the wind changing during the fireworks display towards the spectators causing debris to potentially fall towards the spectators the event must be stopped immediately as safety is paramount.

In the event of a firework failing to function, never return to it. Always wait a minimum of 30 minutes before considering returning to the firework.

Having a bonfire:

A fireworks event can be a great success without having a bonfire, but if you do decide to have one you must all remember

• Make one person responsible, for its conception to its end.
• Locate it away from the firing site and storage area at least 18m (60ft) away from each.
• Before lighting check for children and animals near the bonfire.
• Never use petrol, paraffin or other flammable liquids.
• Use domestic firelighters.
• Never put fireworks, aerosols, foam-filled furniture, batteries, tins of paint or tyres onto the bonfire.

After the display and clearing up:

Once your event is finished you should never allow spectators onto the firing area until you have total cleared the site and made it safe.

The bonfire needs to be completely extinguished before you leave the site.

All the fireworks need to be collected by

• Using a torch, collect all the spent fireworks wearing gloves and using tongs or some other suitable device.
• If you have any unspent fireworks, only return to them when it is safe to do so, normal you should wait a minimum of 30 minutes. These fireworks should then be soaked in a bucket or container of water until they are saturated, in an area where they cannot be tampered with, before their disposal.
• Remove all rubbish, including litter bins and take down any signs, leaving the site as clear as possible and completely safe. It is a good idea to go back the next morning to check the site in daylight.

Further Information:

HSE guidance publications are available in putting on a fireworks display

• HSE Guide HS(G) 123 – Working together on firework displays
• HSE Guide HS(G) 124 – Giving your own fireworks display