Firework displays - a guide for organisers

This guide is intended for those organisers who are mounting fireworks displays for the general public. It contains important information about your responsibilities to the public and your staff.

Please read it carefully - it could make the difference between a successful event and a tragedy.

Where do I begin?

Running a display takes a lot of work, so try to share the load by planning ahead and setting up a committee whose members can each take responsibility for a particular task (including one person to be in charge of all safety arrangements).

Be clear on who will do what - and when. Be sure each member has a copy of this guide and follows its advice carefully. If possible, try to recruit at least one person with previous experience of firework displays.

Also, remember all fireworks NOT marked with ‘Complies with BS 7114 Part 2 1988’ are suitable for use only by professionals.

Who should I tell?

Don’t forget - it’s a busy time for the authorities, so give them plenty of warning so they can best help you. Contact your local:

• Fire Brigade
• Police
• First aid organisation
• Council (check if you need a storage licence)

How much space will I need?

As much as possible, but at least 50m x 20m for your firing area. Beyond this, you will need a dropping zone for spent fireworks of 100m x 50m in the downwind direction. Spectators should be kept back on the opposite side to the dropping zone, at least 25m from the firing area.

Where’s the best site?

A clear and well-mown area, free from obstructions and well away from any buildings, trees and hazards like overhead cables, with as many safe entrances and exits as possible. These must be away from the firing area and dropping zone.

Make sure that all entrances and exits are well lit, clearly sign-posted and kept free from obstructions. Clear away any undergrowth or very long grass. Have plenty of metal litter bins around the site. Make sure you can cater properly for disabled spectators.

What about car parking?

Falling fireworks can cause damage, so site any designated car parking area well away from your display area and dropping zone, and upwind of them. Signpost any car park clearly, and make sure that the vehicle entrance is quite separate from pedestrian access to the site. Do not permit parking anywhere else.

How do I organise the spectators?

Proper crowd control is essential. Arrange for some stewards to be responsible just for this - at least one steward for very 250 spectators. Their job won’t be finished until the display is over, the site is cleared and made safe. Your stewards should be easy to identify, perhaps with fluorescent bibs or jackets.

Be certain that your team know what to do in any emergency, and have practised safety drills.

Spectators must not be allowed into your display area. If they do encroach, stop the display immediately. Prepare and erect signs to clearly show this area.

Beware of overcrowding - seek advice from the police and follow it.

Fireworks and alcohol don’t mix. Remember, if you have alcoholic drinks available, it may make the crowds more difficult to control. Also, none of the organisers should have alcoholic drinks.

Do not allow any spectators to enter the site with their own fireworks - even sparklers. Make sure that there are signs explaining this at every entrance.

How do I let off the fireworks?

With great care at all stages. If possible, recruit helpers who have had previous experience of firework displays. Have as few people as possible actually involved with the fireworks.

Do not allow smoking by your team when fireworks are being handled, or at any time during the display.

Unpack fireworks with great care and well away from any open fire, naked flame or flammable material. Remember that they are fragile and can easily be broken. Keep fireworks in a metal or wooden box, which is kept closed after each one is taken out.

Before lighting any firework, read the instructions on it very carefully by electric torchlight. Make sure that all aerial fireworks are angled away from spectators, with any wind blowing in roughly the same direction.

For lighting display-type fireworks, a device called a Portfire is often provided by the manufacturer. Use Portfires when available and always light at arm’s length. Keep unused Portfires in a metal or wooden box and never carry them in pockets.

Alternative forms of safety lighters, such as fuse wicks, are often available. Never use matches or lighters for lighting fireworks at a display. If any firework fails to go off, don’t go back to it. It could still be live and could go off in your face. Half an hour is the absolute minimum time to wait before you consider approaching it again.

A sudden change of wind could cause aerial fireworks to fall dangerously among spectators, In very windy weather, you should consider putting off the display altogether, however disappointing that might be.

Must I have a bonfire?

No. Many displays are a great success without one. Bonfires need a lot of organising and can be a hazard. If, after careful consideration, you do decide to have a bonfire, make one person responsible for it, from early planning to final clearing up.

Don’t site it too near to your display or storage area, and never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going, as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion.

Check immediately before lighting that there are no animals - or even a young child - hidden inside.

Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they’re dud, and don’t burn dangerous rubbish like aerosols, tins of paint or foam-filled furniture. Remove any rubbish from your bonfire area in advance, so there’s nothing that can be thrown onto the fire on the night.

And when it’s all over?

The work for you and your team doesn’t finish when the last firework goes off. Spectators need to be removed safely from the site, the bonfire needs to be put out completely, and the spent firework cases need to be gathered.

Do this gathering by electric torchlight, using tongs or some other suitable tool and wearing strong gloves. Don’t allow any children to collect firework cases. If any fireworks look as though they haven’t gone off after at least half an hour, douse them in a bucket of water and ask the Fire Brigade for advice.

Burning the spent cases is potentially dangerous and should be done with great care, but only after all your spectators have gone. Aerial shells should be doused in a bucket of water, then buried deep in the ground.

Finally, empty all the litter bins, remove any other rubbish, take down all your signs, and leave the site as clear as possible - and completely safe. You might want to go back the next morning, to check everything in daylight.

If any outside organisations are present at your display - Fire Brigade, police, first aid etc - don’t forget to ‘sign off’ with them at the end of the evening.

What can I do in advance?

As much as possible! As well as liaising with the local authority, police, Fire Brigade and first aid organisation, you or your appropriate team member should:

• Arrange for your fireworks to be delivered and stored (and circulate the manufacturers’ general instructions to your team).
• Arrange for you and your team to be trained in the various tasks for the night, including all emergency drills.
• Arrange for first aid posts to be manned by qualified people.
• Borrow or hire specialist clothing (bibs, jackets etc) to identify you and your team on the night.
• Arrange some form of public address system - as a safety measure, not just for commentary. A loud hailer will do as a bare minimum.
• Arrange for fire extinguishers, buckets of water, buckets of sand and metal litter bins to be available on the night.
• Check that plenty of electric torches will be available on the night, with full batteries.
• Publicise the fact that spectators are not allowed to bring their own fireworks (including sparklers) and will not be admitted if they do so.
• Prepare all necessary signs.
• Make absolutely sure that you’ll have enough people available on the night (including some cover for illness).
• Draw up a detailed checklist of tasks, and indicate on it who is to be responsible for each one.
• Check whether you are adequately insured to cover any firework-related injuries to those present at the display.
• Vet any traders you allow on site.

Animals can be terrified by fireworks. Warn your neighbours and local farmers in advance so they can keep pets indoors and take other necessary precautions.