Fireworks/Pyrotechnics Blog

This is a question I receive quite often through email.  The answer is: it depends.  Ask yourself these questions:

1) Do I have the time (alot) it will take to actually build one?

2) Assuming I have schematics to a trust worthy design, do I have the neccessary soldering/fabrication skills needed?

3) Am I willing to spend the money to purchase all the components and hardware?

4) Why do I want my own system?

Now, a little explaination on each of the questions.  For number one, yes, it takes an enormous amount of time to fabricate a firing system.  We are talking about your average 400 cue analog firing system.  Think about it.  That is a minimum of 400 wires you will have to solder.  Depending on the type of system, it could be double the number of cues you have.  That doesn’t even include the drilling, mounting, painting, etc. that might also be involved.  Number two is pretty self explanitory.  First make sure you have a schematic of good value.  If you don’t have a sound design, very bad things can happen.  Also, if you don’t know how to solder properly, your solder joints will be inadequate, which will lower the life of your system, as well as add unneccessary resistance to it.  Three, they can get expensive when all is said and done.  The most expensive part is purchasing all of your own firing cables.  Four, do you really need your own system when most display companies provide you with a system for your show?  I built mine for a couple reasons.  One, I’m an engineer, so we always think we can come up with something one step better.  We are always trying to improve stuff [doesn't always turn out that way :)].  It also adds to the satisfaction of accomplishment at the end of a show.  So, take all of these issues into consideration when planning to build your own system.

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
 

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!!!”  

First there were just fireworks cakes that shot strait up.  Then there were ”W-shape” fireworks cakes which shot an entire angled row at once, filling up a wide area with each shot.  Then there were “Z-shape” fireworks cakes which quickly gained in popularity due to the ”tracing” effect created by each of thier angled tubes firing rapidly one right after another.  Now, the next generation of fireworks cakes, dubbed “X-shape”, has a similiar functionality to that of a Z cake, except it starts from two opposite ends, each end tracing back and forth, which gives a comet crossing effect.  This also drastically speeds up the cake, making them very intense.  The only drawback is that they don’t last to long…