6 replies to this topic

[laparfitt]

my name is Luke Parfitt, i am an enthusiast and i am looking for some advice!

 

so, in south west wales we have a small non profit Airsoft site. i volunteer as a marshal and exist as a strong member on the committee. we are currently investing some of our accumulated club funds into some pyrotechnic devices. these devices would not be used for gameplay they would be used for theatrical effect or battle simulation. mostly looking for high report devices. (Airsoft is like paintball but with a bit more of a tactical twist)

 

I am looking at implementing a remote detonation device. utilising E-matches to ignite the pyro. for this  i would also be looking at using pre-made "cake" style fireworks and separating the necessary "tube" or "tubes" for the days firing. all of the pyro will be isolated in an inaccessible area and wired up in place at the site on the morning of the game. i'm looking at using multiple small locations throughout the site, meaning no one area would have a high volume of explosives.

we have an insurance policy which covers us for use of pyrotechnics designed for Airsoft use. i am looking at a second insurance to cover fireworks/pyro devices used in theatrical effects. 

 

so the first thing i was looking to find information about was the fact that i am using e-match to modify the ignition of the fireworks/devices.

 

the second thing would be the fact that i am taking an already constructed "cake" style firework and dissecting it to utilise shot/value 

 

i'm on here to find out weather anything of this is legal/illegal and what i can do to make this completely legal and above board. 

 

if this does pose any problems. can anyone think of any alternatives for a cheap loud bang which can be detonated remotely? 

 

thanks in advance! 

Luke Parfitt

[cooperman435]

Hi Luke, Id be more than happy to discuss the information your looking for by phone if you'd like to?

 

there are things to consider that maybe you haven't and things you cant do for definite. It does also depend somewhat on the exact use and scenario your using them in.

 

If you PM me I will pass on my number.

 

Phill Cooper

UKPS Chairman

[laparfitt]

Hello there Mr cooper, I have sent you a pm and I would be more than happy to discuss this over the phone hopefully you received my message
Cheers
Luke

Edited by laparfitt, 05 April 2016 - 11:06 AM.

[martyn]

Well, in the spirit of using the forum as a forum, here are my thoughts.

Dissecting a cake is likely to be considered an act of manufacture and therefore illegal unless at a licenced site. Can't see anyone getting overly upset though, until something goes wrong.

Using an ematch or talon to light the fuse is ok - it's what they are designed for. Some cakes will have visco, some will have a bit of quickmatch buried somewhere if you have a poke about.

Making something cheap and loud is easy but illegal because it will be for practical use, not experimentation, demonstration or testing. The hairy re enacters don't seem to bother too much about this though - they may be your best source of info.

If you have insurances for theatrical pyro, it's not that big a step to get storage and insurance sorted for cat 4material. Then you will have access to single shots, salutes and any other goodies. The problem may come in your intended use, ie not a firework display, not insurmountable though I would think.

I'm not sure I'm a fan of all this 'phone me and I'll tell you in secret' malarkey, especially as the question was asked on an open forum. :-)

[Mortartube]

It's quite possible that a phone call will save huge amounts of typing and resolve any questions far more quickly, rather than being something clandestine.

[Arthur Brown]

Viking Fireworks Ltd (Manston) Tel: 01843 823545 offer a range of SFX and Bat Sim devices, they supply and deliver by a compliant courier. All of their products are designed for electric ignition.

 

http://www.lemaitreltd.com/have a better website but will usually only sell through a dealer/distributor network -again all their stage pyro is electrically fired.

 

Many other companies supply pyrotechnics for battle simulation, and wargaming (paintball etc) none of it is cheap but it's the industry norm and it's what the insurers expect you to use

 

Fireworks all have a delay from ignition to function of something like 5 - 10 seconds according to category. Re-fusing one by a competent person at the place of display on the day of the display is permitted under ER2014 but some fireworks are more or less suitable (hence safe) for this. 

[cooperman435]

It's quite possible that a phone call will save huge amounts of typing and resolve any questions far more quickly, rather than being something clandestine.

Indeed this was the case and also to try and stop more legal discussions popping up on the forum as its been the mainstay of conversation for too long.