30 replies to this topic

[portfire]

Hi cob. Search the forum well ,all the information is here on where to start

Just to point you in the right direction it's suggested that beginners start with Tom Perigrin's 'Introductory Practical Pyrotechnics' (which i still need to buy).

Edited by portfire, 14 January 2007 - 11:18 PM.

[Stew]

Hi, i am just wondering if anyone could recommend a display company in sussex or nearby to approach about a work experience placement?

Although i am 17 i already have knowledge and experience with displays and know different shells and effects, how to fuse and generally how a display is run. I have helped with about 6 displays so far, all of which have been voluntary.

Just wondered if anyone had any advice or ideas as i would like to pursue a carrer in pyrotechnics and already have more experience than most people at my age.

Cheers, Stew.

[Caramanos2000]

I have the same issue as you do. I am 16 and I am graduating high school this year. I am planning on studying chemical or mechanical eng. but I want a career in pyro.

[Bang Bang]

theres so many sites but not one explains what you have to do clearly lol, So many different courses available.

[defective]

Thanks to everyone for the help, its really made me feel welcome

Unfortunately due to the applications having to be in very soon and it being a big choice ive gone for a physics degree as it opens up much more doors than other degrees. Hopefully though it will still allow me to get a pyrotechnics job, if not i'll take it up as a hobby so i'll still be around.

Many thanks again, Jacob

PS, can anyone recommend any good books please?

try amazon.co.uk they have plenty of good books on pyrotechnics and explosive chemistry (if thats what you meant by good books)

[Stew]

If you are looking to get into the industry as a firer then what do display comanies look for? Is it experience, BPA accreditation or a bit of everything? cheers.

[sizzle]

If you are looking to get into the industry as a firer then what do display comanies look for? Is it experience, BPA accreditation or a bit of everything? cheers.

It used to be that BPA Accrediatation was the major thing that got you involved with display companies, now it is all pretty much experience based. A display company will pick somone with no BPA training but much experience over someone with every kind of BPA certificate but no experience any day.

If you want any info about training, PM me.

[teaboy]

I did the Cat 4 training with Fantastic - with BPA accreditation. Was useful, but you'll learn more on-site doing shows. You'll need to be 18 though.

Books-wise I'd recommend 'The Chemistry of Fireworks' by Michael S Russell, and 'A Professional's Guide to Pyrotecnics' by John Donner - both available from Amazon.

Edited by teaboy, 22 May 2007 - 08:33 PM.

[paul 1]

Hello, my name is Jacob and I’m now coming to the end of my college course after studying Maths, Chemistry and Physics. I am interested in Pyrotechnics as a carer (possibly movie special effects or fireworks, possibly even demolition) but I am wondering what course would be best to take to get me into the industry. I am very interested in pyrotechnics and explosions and very good at mechanics, however i have only seen stage pyrotechnic courses which require art and computer qualifications which I do not have. I was wandering whether a course in Physics/Chemistry could be taken to lead on to a job in pyrotechnics. Any advice would be much appreciated and well received.

Many Thanks,
Jacob

PS ive only just noticed the training forum, if anyone could please move this post to the correct forum it would be much appreciated

Hi Jacob,

You have taken the correct subjects for a career in energetic materials. If you are interested in explosive and pyrotechnics I would suggest looking at the following sites.

1. Only one university in the UK now teaches courses and degrees in pyrotechnic/ explosive and weapon related subject. The royal military college of science (part of Cranfield University) in Shrivenham - http://www.dcmt.cranfield.ac.uk/ - ask for a prospectus if you find interest in this field.

2. DERA no longer exists, it is divided in to DSTL - http://www.dstl.gov.uk/ and Qinetiq - http://www.qinetiq.com/. These organisations may employ you directly or sponser you to go through university study.

I hope this helps and is it time,

Paul

[Asteroid]

Thanks for posting that, really helpful, I never managed to hunt down a course like that, have you taken any of the courses?

Edited by Asteroid, 16 July 2007 - 08:46 PM.

[paul 1]

Thanks for posting that, really helpful, I never managed to hunt down a course like that, have you taken any of the courses?

Hi Asteroid,

Your very welcome. I went down the career path of taking a BSc and PhD in classical organic synthesis. However, establishments like the rmcs are more interested if you take your initial degree with them. If you decide to make a career in military explosives/pyrotechnics science I must warn you that this is a very select area and jobs are not plentiful. However, I would imagine that some of the short courses could make interesting study. I forgot to mention some other potential employers:

1. Chemring group plc is a specialist manufacturer of decoy countermeasures and energetic materials for the global defence, security and safety markets - http://www.chemring.co.uk/ - they have sites around the globe including the UK.

2. Roxel UK rocket moters - http://www.roxelgroup.com/ - manufacture tactical missiles for the military - sites in both UK and France.

I hope this is helpful and good look.

Paul

[Asteroid]

I was looking at http://www.dstl.gov.uk/ perhaps the Forensic explosives laboratory, or other military research

[paul 1]

I was looking at http://www.dstl.gov.uk/ perhaps the Forensic explosives laboratory, or other military research

Hi Asteroid,

If your a recent graduate you can fill in the DSTL speculative application form. DSTL advertised last month about five positions for technicians/researchers in the forensic science laboratory at Fort Halstead, Kent, but the closing date was 23-29th June. You could still contact them if your interested in this route. I don't know how interesting this work would be and it is likely to involve much tedious method development and spending your life working with GC and HPLC rather than directly handling explosives. I considered going into energetic materials synthesis a while back but as a country we don't spend much money on such research and so jobs are pretty rare. Other countries take this area of research must more serious but have restrictions on employing foreign nationals. I've always been interested in explosives and I don't think this is a bad thing, however, other areas of chemistry/science also interest me and seem to have more employment positions offered. Don't let me put you off, if your interested in military research go for it. RMCS do quite a bit of research into pyrotechnics/explosives and their application in weapon systems.

Paul

[Asteroid]

I'm not quite at the stage to be applying just yet, but I know what you mean, I don't think I'd to well in normal forensics, and somehow come to have the illusion that other labs send them a case and they work out what impact explosives (could have) had.
Most things science interest me, especially explosives, pyrotechnics etc, and I too certainly don't think this is bad, and while I'd love a career based around something like this, I'm sure most of the people here would, and as such they're in very short supply. What do you mean by RMCS?

[paul 1]

I'm not quite at the stage to be applying just yet, but I know what you mean, I don't think I'd to well in normal forensics, and somehow come to have the illusion that other labs send them a case and they work out what impact explosives (could have) had.
Most things science interest me, especially explosives, pyrotechnics etc, and I too certainly don't think this is bad, and while I'd love a career based around something like this, I'm sure most of the people here would, and as such they're in very short supply. What do you mean by RMCS?

Hi Asteroid,

Sorry, RMCS is the royal military college of science (part of Cranfield University) in Shrivenham - http://www.dcmt.cranfield.ac.uk/ - same link as before. They conduct research such as the synthesis of new explosives, testing (friction, impact, electrostatic discharge etc), theory of explosives and detonation, use in munitions etc. Research is conducted by both chemists and physicists. This is the only university in the UK which conducts this type of research.

Forensic science is not all it is made out to be. Current television series like CSI tend to glamorize the subject and this is why it is such a popular degree subject to take at university. However, jobs are few (thousands of applicants for roughly 20 jobs per year) and most of these are for technicians.

Paul