240 replies to this topic

[BrightStar]

1) Arthur Brown
2) Phil Dunford
3) Dean-portfire
4) Digger Barnes
5) Joseph-BrightStar

Given that it's 12 hours with exams, is it realistic to plan the course for only one day?

[Stew]

Just a couple of questions!
1. Do you need to have had any substantial experience or prior to attend this course? I have helped set-up and fire around 10 displays to date.
2. Any revision needed for the exam? Or is everything required taught on the day?
3. Who actually runs the course and what qualification/certification do you get?

Just wondered as it sounds appealing!
Cheers.

[portfire]

Just a couple of questions!
1. Do you need to have had any substantial experience or prior to attend this course? I have helped set-up and fire around 10 displays to date.
2. Any revision needed for the exam? Or is everything required taught on the day?

Just wondered as it sounds appealing!
Cheers.

As far as I know, no prior experience is needed, and everything you need to pass the exam is covered in the course.

Now here is the stupid (me) part of the post. Arthur, do you have an outline of how the course will "flow", and any recommended reading (want to do plenty of research before hand).

Edited by portfire, 19 May 2008 - 03:34 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

The course covers everything from law, storage, transport to fusing, firing and displaying all the firework types available.

The course is only offered as a one day structure by the trainer. The 12 hours is from first meeting to end of fusing and firing practical session with shells.

Extras to be paid on the day will be tea, coffee and lunch.

The syllabus is fully taught during the day, so no prior knowledge is assumed! However some basic knowledge will help keep the class up to speed.

Remember that this a a course to impart knowledge of firing cat4 fireworks for displays. An understanding of firework types will help but detailed knowledge of the compositions involved will not help as the course is about commercial trade-only fireworks.

While several of us may be interested in firework manufacture, this course is about firing commercial fireworks to make firework shows

[portfire]

Thanks Arthur. I wasn't implying I'm a complete novice BTW, just need to research a few things in more detail

Anyway, looks like the numbers are going up, 1 more and where at the £160 mark ?

[Arthur Brown]

Prob the best thing is to read thoroughly MSER and understand it in detail.

[portfire]

Prob the best thing is to read thoroughly MSER and understand it in detail.

That was my first thought! Although It's on my pc, and have read certain parts, I shall print the whole thing out and go through it in bitesize chunks

[Stew]

Thanks for that. I was just wondering in particular about prior knowledge as im only 18! As i said i've been involved in quite a few displays now and so have good enough knowledge of firework types (mines,shells, cakes, gerbs etc.) and fusing and set-up techniques. Any idea what day of the week it would be on? I'm guessing weekend and i can only do sundays at the moment!

Cheers.

[Arthur Brown]

Basic knowledge of fireworks, firing and storage will be a help. If you have experience, you may discover some bad practises creeping into your work, that may conflict with the taught "Best Practise"

At the moment this will be a weekend day. I was thinking of a saturday, but the details can be sorted IF we get a lot of names.

[Stew]

So basically forget bad habits. I was just wondering as i thought i may be at a disadvantage considering i havn't had as much experience as some of the other people interested! Obviously if i commit then i would want to know i could actually pass!

[Arthur Brown]

The exam is NON-Trivial meaning people do fail and you NEED to pass to get the certificate.

The exam isn't set to trap you but it is set to check that you have taken in the content of the course, It is set at a level to suit people with a practical inclination - it isn't rocket science! Have you taken exams before?

If you have bad habits from prior experience then you will have to demonstrate that they are best practise, or learn past them to achieve best practise.

As the course will put you in a position to use pyro independently then it is essential that all participants will be 18 years old or more, on the day - being under 18 gives problems possessing pyro by law.

Edited by Arthur Brown, 20 May 2008 - 07:34 PM.

[Stew]

I'm not sure if they are bad habits or not! But yes i understand the law of being 18 to handle pyro so fortunately I am old enough! Yep have taken exams before and am just about to take my A-levels, brilliant fun! Any idea of the format of the exam? Multiple answer, multi-mark questions etc.? Just wondering as it sounds promising.

Edited by Stew, 20 May 2008 - 10:03 PM.

[portfire]

The exam is NON-Trivial meaning people do fail and you NEED to pass to get the certificate.

What would happen if you do fail, would you have to pay to resit the exam?

Am I right in thinking we need 1 more person and where at the £150 mark ?

[Arthur Brown]

Your response if you fail the exam is up to you and your reading of the marking. You may have a clear no-hope indication in which case despite your interest then pro fireworks are NOT for you. You may have a Just fail indication in which case a resit later might be viable.

Realistically with a strong interest in fireworks, an ability to learn about law and procedure (MSER, COER, COMAH HSAW the 1875 act etc ) the ability to understand Hazard analysis, risk assessments, method statements etc a very good pass should be within your grasp. One major pass improver will be a good night's sleep the night before, and only a moderate journey.

Noting the number of names that disappear when money is called for, I will take action when the list here has 10 names. Then some people can drop out without costing the rest too much.

If the list gets to 10 then I will PM all members with a request for a cheque for £160 any surplus will be refunded. If I get less than 6 cheques it isn't viable at that price.

Edited by Arthur Brown, 24 May 2008 - 02:06 PM.

[Firework Crazy]

From memory the exam is multiple choice, with a few other questions / drawings thrown in. If you listen and learn on the day there is no reason you shouldn't pass.