ChesterPFX

My electrical firing panel was used 'operationally' for the first time on Nov 6th for our display at home. I had used it to do some test fires leading up to the big day but to finally put the key into the panel knowing that there were 36 cues out there ready to go was a bit nreve jingling.

Once happy that everything was safe and ready to go and that the wind was OK, the key was turned and on came the red LED. A quick look at the cue list and off we went. Finger down on cue 1, hear a pop and phut and see the quickmatch ignite and the first batch are off. Back to the cue list. 30 seconds to cue 13. Check the stopwatch. 30 seconds later, cue 13 goes off and fires just as the first batch are coming to an end.

In total 34 of the cues fired. One blew the PIC leader out of the cup and failed to light it which I think was due to the continued persistant drizzle. The other one, well I missed firing it. On the safety check at the end I discovered that I must have completly missed it as I went along.

All in all I was pleased with how it went and judging by the comments from the crowd caught on the video they enjoyed it as well.

One priority though is to decide on some weather proof covers for the break-out boxes as they got soaked in the drizzle.

Firing Box Pictures

Display Screen Grabs

I read with interest the thread about the Skyburst training with BPA accreditation exams thrown in. I assume, reading between the lines that this training was laid on for future Skyburst firers who will need their BPA firers ID card.
Does anyone know if the BPA runs a course for people not employed by BPA member companies?
As far as I can see, unless the much talked about but never as yet seen national standard ie City & Guilds courses are set up, the only people in any sort of position to run these courses are the BPA, yet they don't seem to run anything for freelance firers.
Any ideas?