“The big guns”
This new years show, we got to see the pure power that 10″ and 12″ shells produce. To start the day off, we off-loaded the truck, everything from 3″ guns in racks all the way up to 8″, 10″, and 12″ guns. The talk of the day was how we could not wait to see them fill the sky. We loaded the big guns onto the ship we were going to shoot from. New-years came and the show began. You could feel the antisipation fill the air, the show is beginning. The audience starts to scream, the dark night fills with amazing colors, and the new year begins. Then it happens, 45 seconds into the new year…. “BOOOOM!!!!” The ship shakes as the lift charge of the first big gun goes off…. The crew draws silent as we feel the compression wave engulf us on the bow of the ship. We watch the charge fly up into the sky, a lot higher than the other shells in the show. Then, just as we love to see, the 12″ shell explodes into thousands of color mixes. The shell fills the sky with mezmerizing power and aww. We hear the crowd scream in joy. -Jeff P.
“Legal or Not”
Working with commercial fireworks has given me and those I work with a thrill only a true “pyro freak” could understand. However, we keep hearing of those out there that like to use non-legal fireworks and the argument they make of “I thought they were Legal”. So, I figured I would write a little about what governs “legal or not”
Every state in the USA has their own laws governing fireworks and who can use them. For the most part, fireworks we see today fall under a rating of 1.3G or 1.4G. If you’re using/watching the fireworks you buy at stands and in stores, you are most likely using “consumer fireworks” or “1.4G.” If your watching the large professional fireworks used in public displays, you are most likely watching “Display Fireworks” or “1.3G fireworks” The exact specifications which divide 1.3G fireworks from 1.4G fireworks are found in these sections of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html Most states have regulations on fireworks that allow you to buy and use fireworks in that state. Those fireworks are all found on a list in the state Fire Marshal code to be considered “safe and sane” “Safe and Sane” usually describes fireworks that do not fly or explode. For example; Fountains, sparklers, smoke, strobes, and ground spinners. These are all novelty fireworks that do not travel. Firecrackers, rockets, missiles, mines, shells, aerial cakes, flying spinners and roman candles are usually not considered “Safe and Sane” fireworks, although they still are perfectly legal in many states. Only certain states restrict the types of fireworks sold to just “Safe and Sane” types and each place that does has its own specific definition of which fireworks are “Safe and Sane.” For more information on what laws and regulations are contact your State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. For those who live in California, you can contact the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection at:
California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
Office of the State Fire Marshal
Fire Engineering Division
FIREWORKS PROGRAM
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento, California 94244-2460
(916) 445-8373 (916) 445-8458 FAX
Web Site: http://osfm.fire.ca.gov
4th of July
The 4th of July is a very special day to America. The 4th of July is a day of calibration, BBQs, parties, and what-not…but I think it has a bigger meaning than what most view it as. But what the 4th if July is, is a day where all of the fighting, shooting, corruption stops and the country becomes united once again. It is a day where everyone takes a break from the every day life, stands side by side to the brothers and sisters of this country and celebrates freedom. The country takes a break from life to celebrate the life of our past fallen heroes, takes a break to stand up united and shout “God Bless Those Who Fight and have fought for freedom” In the evening we cheer the bombs are bursting in air. Air fills with cheering as the finale of fireworks goes off, we all shout “United we Stand!!!”
