dannytsg

I have put this up as I feel it would be interesting to see what the spread is like with regards to this.

 

If any of the committee feel this is encroaching or unnecessary then please feel free to remove however I have kept the total private.

You would have to apply for a COER certificate from your local police force

Personally I am not too sure on the legalities of making sugar/kno3 rockets and flying them in the UK but I do know of a good video on the subject. I did find this quote though

"In the U.K. it is illegal to manufacture solid rocket motors of ANY size, anywhere in the U.K., under the 1875 Explosives Act. Manufacture is defined as mixing the solid compounds neccesary to make the solid propellant for a solid rocket motor."



Hopefully you get the answers you need and welcome to the forum

Okay. I have had my visit today and it seemingly went very well. Here is a brief synopsis of what went on and the pertinent points:

 

Greater Manchester Police as my area force look at the following when it comes to granting an A&K:

 

• Home Security
• Storage
• Reasoning
• Competence
• Clarity of knowledge

Home Security:

 

During my visit the ELO assessed the security of the property. GMP insist that anyone being granted an explosives certificate have an alarm on their home. Admittedly the guidance doesn't specify that an alarm is a requirement but it does state that the certificate holder must take all reasonable precautions and GMP insists a house alarm is taking a reasonable precaution. They also assessed the suitability of the locks on my doors and took into account that we have a dog.

 

Storage:

 

I had already purchased a storage box in line with guidance on storage of shooters powder. This was inspected by the ELO and I was asked what quantities I intended to store within the box. Once this was clarified the ELO asked to look where I intended to put the storage box. I showed them the area and asked whether they thought it was suitable enough. This was clarified that it would be okay and we discussed who would have access to the area.

 

Reasoning:

 

The ELO then had some questions with regards to the reasoning for applying. We discussed why I applied for the certificate, discussed the UKPS and the new regulations and also went into detail about how I plan to carry out the experiments should I be granted an A&K and also where I planned to carry them out. Luckily for me I have a shed that I plan to re-purpose once I have the relevant paperwork. I advised the ELO what types of experiments would be being carried out and clarified the process of making a composition using the stored/manufactured BP. This would be done in the shed, away from the house. Once the fountain, rocket etc was made I would immediately use it and record the results on the relevant testing sheets.

 

Competence:

 

This was an area that was covered during the discussion with the ELO. The ELO wanted to know what competencies I have with respect to pyrotechnic experimentation and manufacture; and also if I had any documented training. I advised that the only thing I could say is that I am a member of the UKPS and have endeavored to gain knowledge through the society using the UKPS guidance document as well as collating the relevant guidance and learning the pertinent parts of the legislation to make reasonable steps towards this application. The ELO understood and advised me that competence/reasonable steps are what they are looking for when assessing applications, as after all, they are trying to tell from a 45 minute visit whether a person is suitable to possess explosives, especially in light of the new legislation and the experimental manufacture of pyrotechnic articles.

 

I subsequently offered my membership card for them to view and the ELO took down the membership number. They stated that they may write to the society to confirm the legitimacy and clarify the details of my membership, and if they do so this would only further validate the application. This was by no means anything detrimental, the ELO just advised that they have to consult their superiors prior to the grant of an A&K with all the relevant information from the visit and having the membership details certainly helped towards this process.

 

Clarity of knowledge:

 

This was something that was covered throughout the course of the visit and really consisted of some knowledge checking whilst we were discussion other items. The mains things asked where with regards to the times fireworks/pyrotechnic articles can be set off, what quantities of black powder can be stored on an A&K and general references to the guidance as well as the legislation such as the 100g rule with regards to quantities etc.

 

Overall the visit went well and the ELO was happy with storage and security. They are going to consult with their superiors given all the information and then I should hear whether I get the okay within the next few weeks.

 

The main thing to remember is that the new guidance is new to the police and as such application for A&K based on the pyrotechnic experimentation justification are just as new to them as the process and application is new to us. Everything being equal it was a very informative and insightful visit. The ELO was very open minded and really just wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to be a danger to myself, my family or anyone else should I be granted a certificate, especially in the current climate with heightened terror threat.

 

One of the points that did come out of it was with reference to proving competency. Would this be something that the UKPS could look into? Maybe for the benefit of members, the UKPS could have some way of assessing competence whether it be based on knowledge, legislation or practical application and a record of such for each member.

 

We did also discuss flash powder and I was advised that this can only be granted on acquire only as there are specific separation distances within the legislation/guidance that rule out A&K in a domestic premises. I advised that flash would be something I would want to apply for in the future but first and foremost I wanted too attain the A&K for black powder and go from there.

 

Anyway I should hopefully hear if I have been given the okay within a few weeks.

I will echo everyone's sentiments with this and say a big thank you for putting so much effort in to protect the interests of experimental pyrotechnics in this country.

 

Knowing now that there is a clearly defined legal path to be able to take part in such a hobby and not have it regarded as taboo anymore is a rousing success.

Yes, and you'll receive a new card each year that you renew.

 

Great. I'll keep it with my UK Rocketry Association card in the wallet.