130 replies to this topic

[rocketpro]

I would imagine a visit from your ELO would be in order though - for your A&K.

[wayne]

I would imagine a visit from your ELO would be in order though - for your A&K.

 

Yes for the explosive certificate, no for the precursor licence.

[Gareth]

Sorry for the dumb question but what is ELO?

[Vic]

Sorry for the dumb question but what is ELO?

 

Explosive Liaison Officer

[David G]

well regarding the licence and courier transportation it's about as much use as a chocolate tea pot, oh well I thought this would be the case, really a paper licence? now that is open to conjecture.

Agreed Ken. How do we,as hobbyists,now obtain Potassium Perchlorate and Potassium Chlorate? Yet the real dangers such as Ammonium Nitrate are easy to obtain. I mean,really,how stupid can the authorities be?

[rocketpro]

Agreed Ken. How do we,as hobbyists,now obtain Potassium Perchlorate and Potassium Chlorate? Yet the real dangers such as Ammonium Nitrate are easy to obtain. I mean,really,how stupid can the authorities be?

I guess from their point of view It`s a good result as It makes it a bit more difficult for undesirables to obtain these chemicals - which don`t forget was the main intention of the new regulations, and in the long run benefits us in other ways.

 

I agree it`s a pain in the bum but committed hobbyists with a passion for their interest will usually seek out their requirements and as Wayne has explained this shouldn`t be that difficult.

 

Hey, be grateful we`re still able to carry on with pyro - Legally too!   

Edited by rocketpro, 20 September 2014 - 06:48 AM.

[wayne]

Agreed Ken. How do we,as hobbyists,now obtain Potassium Perchlorate and Potassium Chlorate? Yet the real dangers such as Ammonium Nitrate are easy to obtain. I mean,really,how stupid can the authorities be?

 

There is a "reporting" system now in place for ammonium nitrate, see here:

 

https://www.gov.uk/g...ives-precursors

 

potassium nitrate is on the same list too! 

[Amergin]

Had a discussion with my ELO Wandsworth this morning about the regulations and I had a good laugh with him ...nice man.. I have probably been responsible for the adding of another chemical to the list as I told him the regulations would be ineffective against anyone with chemistry knowledge....I said for example you've regulated KClO3/KClO4 but have done nothing about  the persulfates of Sodium and Potassium which I can buy at MAPLINS !! lol.( PCB etchant)...He was a little shocked and I explained about strong oxidizers and that equal weighed parts Na2S2O8 + Al will give me just as if not more energetic a flash powder but I would not flaunt the law anyway. .....his next line was classic  "Well , we can do nothing against someone with your knowledge but are concerned if freely available chemicals can be misused "...I told him that yes they are ....He will pass it on to the HSE so I expect both persulfate salts will soon appear.... I have done some 1g/2g confined and unconfined experiments with this flash and its quiet impressive.....he was very clear on what i needed so  I think I'll leave it alone after Halloween as  having to go through all the paperwork to build a few fizzle and pop rockets is just too much .....  ...stay safe gentlemen 

[wayne]

Had a discussion with my ELO Wandsworth this morning about the regulations and I had a good laugh with him ...nice man.. I have probably been responsible for the adding of another chemical to the list as I told him the regulations would be ineffective against anyone with chemistry knowledge....I said for example you've regulated KClO3/KClO4 but have done nothing about  the persulfates of Sodium and Potassium which I can buy at MAPLINS !! lol.( PCB etchant)...He was a little shocked and I explained about strong oxidizers and that equal weighed parts Na2S2O8 + Al will give me just as if not more energetic a flash powder but I would not flaunt the law anyway. .....his next line was classic  "Well , we can do nothing against someone with your knowledge but are concerned if freely available chemicals can be misused "...I told him that yes they are ....He will pass it on to the HSE so I expect both persulfate salts will soon appear.... I have done some 1g/2g confined and unconfined experiments with this flash and its quiet impressive.....he was very clear on what i needed so  I think I'll leave it alone after Halloween as  having to go through all the paperwork to build a few fizzle and pop rockets is just too much .....  ...stay safe gentlemen 

 

Doe's this mean you're not going to apply for an explosive licence - Ie, retire your pyro tooling for ever?

[Amergin]

Doe's this mean you're not going to apply for an explosive licence - Ie, retire your pyro tooling for ever?

I think so Wayne...told the missus i needed some certs last night and mentioned the dreaded "Explosives" word (COER 1 )....that was it ...what was once just to her " making a few fireworks" is now " your fireworks ingredients are now regulated and are now classed as explosives !! " .... i feared her more than the authorities  ....  back to long exposure astrophotography ...the worlds most infuriating hobby  ...but special when it goes well !

[maxman]

Funny that, my wife was just the opposite. She did not like me making and shooting stuff incase of trouble but is now more than happy for me to continue legally.

 

Rod

[wayne]

I think so Wayne...told the missus i needed some certs last night and mentioned the dreaded "Explosives" word (COER 1 )....that was it ...what was once just to her " making a few fireworks" is now " your fireworks ingredients are now regulated and are now classed as explosives !! " .... i feared her more than the authorities  ....  back to long exposure astrophotography ...the worlds most infuriating hobby  ...but special when it goes well !

 

I understand the situation, I've been there and one of the major reasons I've spent the past 6 years clarifying the regulations.

 

At least now you can legitimately pursue the hobby, previously it was a very cloudy situation.

 

Don't give up hope completely, once I publish the guidance maybe you can review it with your wife to help allay her concerns?

Edited by wayne, 23 September 2014 - 02:54 PM.

[rocketpro]

Any firm dates on the "Guidance document" yet Wayne?

[Rip Rap]

I am eagerly awaiting the Guidance document too

 

As for me, my wife / family are much happier that amateur pyro is recognised and legal.

 

@Amergin I wouldn't be put off by "all the paperwork" - certainly as far as the Acquire and Keep explosives certificate is concerned it is very straight forward and free.

 

The precursor licencing sounds straight forward also.

 

Or do you mean keeping records of items that have been made, performance, formula etc?

 

 

[wayne]

Any firm dates on the "Guidance document" yet Wayne?

 

I'm working as hard as I can on it at the moment whilst trying to keep family and work happy!

 

It will be released prior to the 1st of October.