6 replies to this topic

[PyroKid]

Hi everyone!

I was asked a rather unusual question today and was unsure how to answer it, so i thought id post it here in the hope that someone might know how to explain the following situation to someone who is not familiar with the legislation involved with the transportation of fireworks / pyrotechnics.

I know that when it comes to transporting fireworks without a HAZMAT related licence you can legally transport a certain ammount of fireworks/pyrotechnics according to their NEC (Net Explosive Content).

I was wondering if anyone could inform me of what the legal limit is before a vehical has to be placarded?

I am also curious as to the way in which fireworks / pyrotechnics could be transported, more specifically with regards to weather a small quantity of fireworks / pyrotechics could legally be transported in the boot of a car to the other side of the country.

If so, how should they be stored during transportation and in what ways should they be secured?

Could the Car be left unatended overnight with the small quantity of fireworks/pyrotechnics in the boot of the car, for example, if i was to carry out a firework display at the other end of the country.

I was also asked whether someone who happens to have a mobile home / camper van could legaly transport the small quantity of fireworks in their van, aswell as sleeping overnight in the van prior to carrying out the display?

I would be more than greatful if anyone could help me with the above situation!

All the best!

Adam

Edited by PyroKid, 16 April 2005 - 11:04 PM.

[Andrew]

We do enjoy what is concidered relitively relaxed laws regarding fireworks, some think! How much is too much? To be honest I don't know. In the run up to fireworks night, I imagine that the public regularly carry well over a few kilos NEC, it soon adds up if you have a few large rockets, a few selection boxes and a few other large display fireworks like fountains, mines or cakes. It is general assumption that you can just put it all in the boot and then drive home like you would normally. Common sence and a small amount of thinking will make it all 100% safer. Correct packing and driving safely are good ideas.

You would do good to go to the CitizensAdvice Bureau, they are usually very good at rustling up free information, another good port of call is HSE direct, they are also good at answering questions like these.

[alany]

In Australia (most states) it is 50 kg NEQ of 1.3 as long as the car carries a suitable extingushier and no passengers other than those associated with the display. That's quite a bit more than you can store in an 10 m "backyard" unlicenced magazine. The usual rules apply of course, no smoking in or within 10 metres, the later being a bit impractical driving around town you can bet some idiot is flicking their cigs out the window at you.

Unfortunately one state in particular has chosen to qualify 250 kg *gross* of fireworks as 1.1!

[ChesterPFX]

Up to 500kg of 1.4G or 20kg of 1.3G without need for ADR here in the UK.

But also check the HSE website. I'm fairly certain that if the carriage is 'personel' ie you are not a pro company and it's your own stuff to fire for yourself, you are exempt anyway, but don't quote me on that.

[curious aardvark]

Just read through this forum and there was an early comment that to transport any made fireworks would require a license.

Surely if this were the case then the many tens of thousands of people who buy fireworks every year and take them home in their cars (myself included) are liable for prosecution under the explosives act ?

Not too mention the storage problem. ie: why are fireworks sold for over a month in high street shops if you can't store them at home ? Most people buy at least a week before they fire and just shove them in a cupboard.

Seems to me there are definite and fairly strange inconsistencies in some of the rules you lot have been checking up on.

I like the idea of the Bps - but have yet to work out exactly what its aims are :-)

[Creepin_pyro]

Not too mention the storage problem. ie: why are fireworks sold for over a month in high street shops if you can't store them at home ? Most people buy at least a week before they fire and just shove them in a cupboard.

I don't think the explosives transport liscense applies to small amounts of consumer goods. Any "made" items would not be classed as consumer fireworks.

IIRC, there is an exemption to the storage regulations if a small quantity of fireworks are stored for a small amount of time, like a few weeks. This makes it legal to buy fireworks and store them at home until their use. The shops that stock the fireworks have to apply for a temporary explosives storage liscense, and have to adhere to storage regulations.

[BigG]

Just read through this forum and there was an early comment that to transport any made fireworks would require a license.

Surely if this were the case then the many tens of thousands of people who buy fireworks every year and take them home in their cars (myself included) are liable for prosecution under the explosives act ?

Not too mention the storage problem. ie: why are fireworks sold for over a month in high street shops if you can't store them at home ? Most people buy at least a week before they fire and just shove them in a cupboard.

Seems to me there are definite and fairly strange inconsistencies in some of the rules you lot have been checking up on.

I like the idea of the Bps - but have yet to work out exactly what its aims are :-)

Okay ? re-read the statement above: transport any MADE fireworks would require a license. Any home made fireworks, or fireworks that have not obtained British consumer certification, cannot be transported without a license. The thousands of people who buy fireworks from outlets, buy fireworks that has been certified for consumers and therefore can be transported.

As for storage ? you are right. Most people do not know the law here ? however, you are WRONG to say that most outlets start to sell a month before the session. Most of them start selling three weeks (rather then a month) before the session, because the law allow storage of up to 21 days before the 4 major fireworks days (new-year, 5th November, Chinese new year and the calebration of light) unlicensed. In other times of the year, such storage is allowed only for a few days.

Of course, I know many people who just have a few ?leftover? items they store for next year, not realising they are breaking the law. Again, in this country, common sense does prevail. Most police force doesn?t know the exact terms of the law, and even if they do, they are likely to turn a blind eye over small quantity.

Edited by BigG, 02 September 2005 - 03:02 PM.