14 replies to this topic

[David]

Note- I put this here because I can only really say how it directly relates to consumer fireworks, rather than (eg) Cat 4 stuff, shop storage etc- thats not my area!


This is how I heard it:

So, flashpowder is being banned? No, not quite.

New regulations from April 1st limit flashpowder to 5% maximum of each tube in a firework. This effectivly removes flashpowder effects , most obviously bangs but also bursts. Blackpowder can be used as an alternative, but its more expensive, and lacks the "flash".

So, thats that.

A lot of fireworks will be changed to comply with this- some shops, for example Great Northern, have had all their stuff built to comply with the new regulations already. Others are still selling flashpowder stuff, clearing stocks etc.

I will mean that stuff like Proton b**b is gone, but it will also mean many favourite fireworks are changed too.

Edited by David, 28 October 2007 - 12:04 PM.

[RangerOfFire]

Is this an instantaneous "blanket ban" or a gradual phasing out of these types of fireworks?

Firework Emporium told me that single shot air b**bs were phased out due to concerns of them deteriorating in storage and also of the devices finding their way onto the "black market".

A lot of the stuff is already being made compliant, the Space Oddity barrage has had its bangs removed and been renamed Space Cake (fireworks emporium again). I'm hoping that bangs won't be completely removed, I wonder if a couple of bangs and the rest of the tube filled with a delay comp would satisfy the 5% rule... although it's a tad expensive and inefficient just to get an air b**b barrage.

[David]

Is this an instantaneous "blanket ban" or a gradual phasing out of these types of fireworks?

I think the deadline for complinace is April 2008- I'm not being daft, obviously its not an April fool.

So, it looks like shops are clearing stock, and altering fireworks for this season, to be ready for the new regs.

Its not strictly a ban, rather changes in classification and storage- but in effect a ban because shops won't legally be able to store flashpowder fireworks, and if you can't stock it you can't sell it!

[YT2095]

so Hellraiser Rockets will be gone too then, as their payload is similar if not identical to those shells used in the Protons.
maybe even a fraction louder.

[David]

so Hellraiser Rockets will be gone too then, as their payload is similar if not identical to those shells used in the Protons.
maybe even a fraction louder.

Yes, 'fraid so. Because the new regs relate to transport and storgae it applies to all fireworks. Big rockets are gone too anyway, they are being very limited in size.

I think they were Bright Star? I know Men Shun has removed its loud bang rockets from its 2007 catalogue, to comply.

Edited by David, 28 October 2007 - 12:16 PM.

[YT2095]

to be honest, although I can respect that some folks Do like these loud bangs and so forth, when I went to Sizzles SP Fireworks demo/display, I Was quite impressed by the new "Quieter" ones now available, they Lack Nothing in my opinion, and have a rather Unique sound that`s quite agreeable too

almost Surreal.

[W.P]

With bangs gone I can see that a lot more crackling fireworks will be available. Am I the only one who finds barrages with excessive amounts of crackling fireworks incredibly annoying?

[David]

With bangs gone I can see that a lot more crackling fireworks will be available. Am I the only one who finds barrages with excessive amounts of crackling fireworks incredibly annoying?

Brothers and Planet are keen on this effect. You are right- we are going to see a lot more crackle bursts instead of salutes. An intense crackle finale can be nice, I've never found that bang finales are popular with general crowds.

Edited by David, 28 October 2007 - 02:35 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

Boy's fireworks come in several sizes, penny banger to 3"salute!

Girls fireworks come in various sizes and shapes and patterns and colours probably very few bangs! - That's the way it's going!

[RangerOfFire]

Boy's fireworks come in several sizes, penny banger to 3"salute!

Girls fireworks come in various sizes and shapes and patterns and colours probably very few bangs! - That's the way it's going!

You know that you'll get letters for that?

Personally I can't stand the excessive amounts of crackle that companies are using these days in place of bangs.

[W.P]

Oh my! Sexism?

Anyway, I don't mind a crackling finale but when there is constant crackling along side small shells or other fireworks it seems to take away from the beauty of the other fireworks.

[MDH]

Hmmm. Funny, I must be somehow female then. I prefer visuals.

Either way I don't think altering the amount of flash is going to change much. What is their concern anyway? Is this just someone outside the industry saying "Flash is the next terrorist attack"?

[Mortartube]

Perhaps we could get the Chinese to replace all flash with H3. That's not covered by the regs........................ I am only joking........... or am I?

[David]

What is their concern anyway? Is this just someone outside the industry saying "Flash is the next terrorist attack"?

Actually, yes! Kind of. Its all to do with UN Transport regulations, that also govern storage. Fireworks used to be 1.4G, now depending on content some are changing to 1.3G and some (flash) are being classed as 1.1G- IE High Explosives. Obviously this massivley increases the cost of transportation, and prohibits storage in shops.

[Andrew]

Am I right in thinking that it is 5% of the NEG of each tube?

If so the burst charge for example could still have at least 25% flash in it (probably 100% flash if only a small burst is needed). 1/4 flash in BP is very powerful.

I remember seeing the actual classification system for fireworks, in it there are numerous figures and percentages that need to be adhered to. From recollection there are no 1.4G fireworks that have any flash in, (only a few with 5%). There aren't many fireworks in the 1.3G bracket, and even 1.2G has limits of 5%-25%.

So on that note I doubt that the new rules will actually affect consumer fireworks at all (cat3 slightly more so), apart from minor redesigns perhaps.