7 replies to this topic

[dannytsg]

Being new to pyrotechnics and wanting to start learning I have gone and purchased some potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal and really want some advice on how best to store them in heir base form.

 

I am looking into possibly getting some army surplus wooden storage containers, maybe 2 and separating the potassium from the sulphur and charcoal when stored.

 

I'm sure this has been asked numerous times but is this the best way to go about it?

 

Also I am a Fire Protection Engineer by trade and deal mainly in the suppression of industrial scale fires (aerosols, packaged commodities and the odd chemical plant etc) but I want to supplement my knowledge in this field with the knowledge I can learn about the combustion of chemicals.

 

Are there any online training courses or courses that I can get some hands on knowledge or is most of it (stick you finger up and work for the best)

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dan

[bangkokpyro]

There is some safety info my website. The articles covering a wide range of issues were written by Bill Ofca and used with his permission.

 

http://www.bangkokpyro.com/safety.php

[dannytsg]

Thanks for that. It was a good read. How else do others store their base chemicals.

[dr thrust]

Hi dan, I store my chems, in these from inoxia http://www.inoxia.co...roduct/118.aspx The same time as I bought my chems and labels it was convenient to get everything from the same supplier, I store my oxidisers in a separate wooden chest from everything else which are kept in a locked cupboard in the shed

[dannytsg]

OK thanks for that. That has given me a good idea of what to do

[sfxdan3]

sorry to high jack your thread Dan.

 

just got a quick related question. Obviously with CAT 4, HE and BP etc... you need a licence to buy them.

 

But with purchasing individual chems like potassium nitrate, charcoal, magnesium etc... you do not need a licence to purchase them. But do you need any licence to store them in the seperate forms? And once they are combined to make a pyro substance, do they then need to come under an aquire and keep licence?

[Sparky]

Dan,

 

I am sure your post will get the right feedback very, very soon. We have more than one expert in the legal aspects of this hobby on this forum. Exat808 knows his law....

 

In general you can store the sorts of chemicals for pyro without too much restriction. Common sense should prevail with anything that is a strong oxidiser or that is poisonous so make sure you know the properties of anything you buy beforehand.

 

Once the chemicals are combined into an explosive mixture e.g. BP then it all changes. The rule of thumb is 100g and no more but even this is a bit of a grey area legally. The regs state you do not need a manufacturing license if it is <100g and for experimental purposes only.

 

I am sure someone will be along soon to offer better advice than this.

[dannytsg]

Dan,

 

I am sure your post will get the right feedback very, very soon. We have more than one expert in the legal aspects of this hobby on this forum. Exat808 knows his law....

 

In general you can store the sorts of chemicals for pyro without too much restriction. Common sense should prevail with anything that is a strong oxidiser or that is poisonous so make sure you know the properties of anything you buy beforehand.

 

Once the chemicals are combined into an explosive mixture e.g. BP then it all changes. The rule of thumb is 100g and no more but even this is a bit of a grey area legally. The regs state you do not need a manufacturing license if it is <100g and for experimental purposes only.

 

I am sure someone will be along soon to offer better advice than this.

Thanks for you reply on that. I have read up on the MSER 2005 thread on here and also downloaded a full copy for some "light reading". 

 

My main aim at present is to get a very good grounding in the very basics, so I'm starting at BP just because it seems it is the most basic element of pyro/ fireworks. I will only be making very small amounts and testing different compositions in relation to burn rate and efficiency at first and then as I learn I'll then try new avenues and chemical compositions.

 

I have also managed to acquire a copy of "Lecture Notes for Pyrotechnic Chemistry" as a full guide on the fundamentals of the chemistry involved and as a guide to work through in conjunction with other widely available formula's and tutorials.

 

And on a final note I have paid my UKPS membership fee and my application is in the post so hopefully I am going about this the right way.