29 replies to this topic

[seymour]

I suspect that in most places you need to know someone with it personally. While it will not get you it in the short term, volunteering for a pyrotechnic company will get you an intro in to the industry, and who knows what opportunities may present themselves. Rather a lot more than just quickmatch is my prediction.

[Arthur Brown]

No-one sells QM to the general public.

QM is a fusing accessory therefore you would need to be fusing cat4, therefore cat4 rules are usually applied.

As it's only available from firework sellers, each seller will have their own different criteria for judging sales of it.

[maxman]

Arthur, I was under the impression there is an exemption for quickmatch for the rocket guys!! As from 4th Dec 2007. Quickmatch can be bought and stored with no explosive licence less than 5kg and no RCA document. Its a bit pricey though.

Perhaps you would like to check the facts here and correct me if I'm wrong

Rocket Store Legal

Google ICI Quickmatch and the rocketstore link it at the top

[Richard H]

You don't need an explosives certificate to acquire quickmatch, since it is in Schedule 1 (Exemptions) of COER and has been always. However, any supplier will clearly want to be satisfied that you have a legitimate use and are competent. Clearly the largest consumers of quickmatch are firework companies. As you point out, a number of rocketry retailers also supply it.

[Creepin_pyro]

http://www.rocketsto.......=&PT_ID=116

1m for £2!

If you're buying direct it should be roughly £25 / 200m.

[Rick]

Interesting topic

Quick match is not a firework, so does not fall within the scope of BS7114: Part 1 “Classification of fireworks”

BS Category 4 is taken by many to mean anything explosive that cannot be sold to the general public, whereas it actually only covers fireworks.

“I was under the impression there is an exemption for quick match for the rocket guys!!”

Quick match is an explosive and therefore covered by the usual explosive legislation – COER, MSER etc

COER – Explosive Certification is not required for certain explosives – this can be determined by use of UN number and Schedule 1.

MSER Regulation 10 – states what does/does not require a storage licence and takes into consideration the explosive/quantity/hazard type/period of storage required.

The requirement of an RCA and CE marking is covered under POMSTER – once again there are exemptions to the requirements for certain explosives.

I would recommend a copy of the CAD entry is provided by the supplier, for any explosive, before accepting delivery. The information appearing on the CAD is what will be used to determine the requirements of COER, POMSTER and MSER for the NEQ you wish to store.

Maxman, you are correct, currently it is legal to store up to 5kg of fuse, non detonating (UN101) without an explosives certificate or an RCA document. (5Kg is the total quantity of explosives being stored not just the quick match)

Rick


COER – Control of Explosives Regs
MSER – Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regs
POMSTER – Placing on the Market and Supervision of Transfers of Explosives Regs
RCA – Recipient Competent Authority Document
CE - Conformité Européene – European Conformity
CAD – Competent Authority Document

[Arthur Brown]

I don't doubt that QM is exempt from COER, but I do say that suppliers will likely apply the same rules to it's sale that they apply to cat4 sales. In particular they will need to be certain that the purchaser is competent and has a justified use for the product. retail firework suppliers may not have (or even know of!) QM. Most cat4 suppliers will have a stock that they work from. The prices that the rocketry people pay scare me. when ematching a commercial display metres of QM goes in the live waste box for the burn pit!

[knackers]

pyro pdc,

all of that abreviated jargon will just do your head in, it makes more sence for less cents to make your own,
spend a night and make a swag of black match, and whilst it is soaking roll up some match pipe, Rub a candle on a 3/8 dowell, roll your pipe to whatever length you want, and presto, ala' Quick match,

BTW, passfire tells you exactly how to go about it, money well spent,

[Rick]

PyroPDC

Your question was where to buy QM –

Contact a local firework company, explain your reasons for requiring QM and that you have researched the legal requirements regarding supply and are legally able to purchase a limited amount. (Direct them to the rocketry store / forum / or the HSE to clarify).

The supplier is then able to demonstrate they have fulfilled their duty of care regarding the sale and you can use “the proper stuff” and have “one less thing to worry about”

The cost of QM is not expensive and will work out more cost effective and safer than making your own.

Rick

QM – Quick Match
HSE – Health and Safety Executive
RICK - Richard

[Arthur Brown]

Also having a reasonable amount of batch consistent high reliability commercial QM means much more reliable fusing hence safer displays.

[Spyrotechnics]

the RocketStore mentions discussions between the UKRA and HSE - is the exemption for Quickmatch limited to rocketry purposes?