7 replies to this topic

[unigamer]

Hello

 

I am interested in making some smokes bombs around Christmas time using potassium nitrate and icing sugar. They would be made in a large, private back garden and used there too (so no transportation, storage or anything like that).

 

I've read the thread below mine: http://www.pyrosocie...make-in-the-uk/ which is a similar question but is more focused on rocket engines.

 

I've also tried to read http://www.pyrosocie...ance-published/ and the relevant legislation. 

 

However, I'm still not clear, do I need the EEP license (https://www.gov.uk/g...sive-precursors) to make smokebombs?

 

Thanks very much,

 

Jonathan

Edited by unigamer, 02 November 2014 - 02:52 PM.

[digger]

You do not need an EPP licence. You may however need an explosives certificate. The explosives certificate requirement currently needs some clarification from the HSE. Watch this space................

[martyn]

Or you could just burn an old tyre, you don't (yet!) need an explosives cert for that!

You may or may not draw attention to yourself buying KNO3, and don't go out if you have icing sugar around your face or you will attract interest from the drug squad!

Come to think of it, don't burn a tyre, that probably falls foul of some european directive or something.

[dannytsg]

The problem is making a pyrotechnic article may well now mean you need an explosive certificate to do so with the UN numbers for various pyrotechnic articles.

[digger]

Possibly true. There still seems to be quite some confusion amongst ELO's from different police forces. Lets hope it gets clarified one way or another in the not to distant future.

[unigamer]

Thanks for the answers everyone, I can see it's as clear as mud. I know it'll be crude compared to what some of you guys get up to but we do enjoy making them and we do it safely, would be nice to know for sure how to do it legally!

 

It's very frustrating, all my hobbies seem to be a battle with legislation: bushcraft (the knives can be viewed as offensive weapons), quadrotor/RC flying (the limits on radio power and frequencies used along with the tabloid histeria of drones) and unicycling (a unicycle falls between legal definitions for what can be used on a road and on a pavement)!

[wayne]

Hello

 

I am interested in making some smokes bombs around Christmas time using potassium nitrate and icing sugar. They would be made in a large, private back garden and used there too (so no transportation, storage or anything like that).

 

I've read the thread below mine: http://www.pyrosocie...make-in-the-uk/ which is a similar question but is more focused on rocket engines.

 

I've also tried to read http://www.pyrosocie...ance-published/ and the relevant legislation. 

 

However, I'm still not clear, do I need the EEP license (https://www.gov.uk/g...sive-precursors) to make smokebombs?

 

Thanks very much,

 

Jonathan

 

Hi Jonathan,

 

A few points.

 

1.  The current regulations only cover the "testing, experimentation and demonstration" of an explosive substance or article.  If you intend to manufacture the smoke bombs and fire them for a real application the regulation will not cover this.

2.  An EPP license isn't required for the chemicals you list but its advisable to obtain one as I'm sure your interest will extend into chemicals that are restricted.

3.  An explosive certificate is recommended for any kind of experimental pyrotechnic manufacture and as the guidance states:

 

"It is recommended that an explosives certificate is obtained if the individual is in any doubt that one is required."

 

As with the second point, I'm sure your interest will extend further than smoke bombs so an explosive certificate is recommended.  Its demonstrates that you are being diligent in your actions and piece of mind should your experimentation attract any unwanted interest.

 

Cheers,

Wayne.

[unigamer]

wayne: Thanks for the advice, will look at this more carefully. I appreciate your help and efforts in getting this hobby properly recognised.

 

kenneth: I am aware you can buy smoke pellets and a whole load of other stuff off the shelf, for us (and I'm sure most other people here) that's not really the point. The enjoyment is in doing it yourself. If we're unable to make our own then we simply won't do it.  Thanks for the link though.