12 replies to this topic

[Loci]

Anyone going to their training date on the 4th and 5th of September? I am and I'm very much looking forward to it! Long trek for me though, about 500~ miles

Fraser

[Loci]

Well since I guess none of you were there, its a shame really, since I have to say this is the best short pyro course available out af all the courses run in the UK, and it was free, the only thing you had to pay for was accommodation (which was on site) which was either camping in the field or having a room in one of the halls of residence...

The course included law and legistation of fireworks and transportation legislation, safe site setup, firework types, firework photography, musical firing, hands on fusing techniques, hands on electrical firing techniques, safe de-rigging procedures, site risk assessment and firing orders THen everyone had the oppertunity to sit the BPA level 1 and 2 exams so we could get our shinny ID cards

To finish the night we had a demonstration for Jonh P from Le Maitre on various special effects and indoor pyro followed by a great display fired to music, was really increadible! Maybe next year for some of you

Fraser

[The_Djinn]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the course and from what you have said it covers a broad spectrum of subjects.
Only one query with regards to transport and fireworks legislation.. did they cover current legislation or the proposed legislation that they hope to put in sometime Jan 2005 ?
I assume by the comment on the shinny ID cards that you are now BPA L1 and L2 registered.. are you now going to freelance to pyro companys ? or do you intend to start up your own opperation ?

Mark

[Loci]

Well, the stuff we did regarding the law was mostly about current law, the UN system, hazard types, divisions nad compatability groups of class 1. It also covered Modes "A" and "B", local athority stores, HSE magazines, on site fusing, insurance requirements (product and public) general responsibilities and the Health and safety at work act.

About transportation we covered the basic rules of placarding and limits of how much can be carried stored before you need a ADG certificate and stuff about TREM cards...

Not required for he exam but also covered was what we all hoped was going to become legistation for next year. The laws really need changing though since you could have a 24inch mine classed as 1.3 and say 6 or 8 inch ball shells/maroons classed as 1.1 sicne they are fired from a morter but you could just load the shells into the mine as have them as "inserts" and the mine would still only be 1.3 :S scarry....

About he PBA exams yeh, most of us sat both Level 1 and 2 now we jsut have to wait 6 weeks to get the results back and our cards, on the form I put down as a "freelance" operator, but so far only skyburst has approched me to fire for them in Scotland, so, if anyone lese out there needs help in Scotland, give me a shout

Fraser

[Richard H]

Sounds like a good course. I intend to get myself enrolled on one soon with the aim of sitting BPA exams.

[Loci]

Yeah, I would recommend that, the course down in Warwick was well worth the trip, and as far as I am aware, I'm going down again next year

[Richard H]

Cool! I'm looking at my options. Kimbolton and Fantastic Fireworks also run courses, although I like the idea of a weekend long session with the chance to become certified at the end of it.

[Loci]

Yes, its also Free, Kimbolton as nice as they are want 45 quid for a mornings course where I dont think you even get to touch a firework let alone fuse a minature display

Fraser

[Rick]

Many thanks for the great write up Loci.

The aim of our safety course is to train our operators to a set standard. We also invite people, such as you, whom will be asked to work with us in the future. Usually people in areas where operator concentration is sparce!

We may run a separate course next year for freelance firers wishing to gain BPA level status, however fees will apply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Richard

ps You only get your shinny ID card if you pass

[The_Djinn]

Hi Rick,

Just a thought after reading your last post about looking for firers in areas where there may be a shortage. When you know of events comming up in such areas you could place a post on the forum as some members are currently freelance firers and some may already be BPA registerd... shiny ID cards and all.

Alternately you can invite those who have experience to pm you with their relevent information including information on what experience they have and who they have worked for previously.

Mark

Edited by The_Djinn, 08 September 2004 - 09:16 PM.

[Loci]

No problem Rick, praise given where praise is due

Fraser

[pritch]

I really wish I had known about this cause I was on my holidays so could have attended. Next year fraser remind me!

[Bub]

Guys,

Forget Kimbolton, it's a waste of time, and a waste of forty five quid too - I learned zip from it.

Fantastic Fireworks - excellent, worth every penny.

Call them and book yourself on today. They run a couple of times a year I think.

They run L1 and L2 courses + exams.

...B.