Stealth Fireworks has produced this glossary below to help you understand the pyrotechnical terms you may come across in the UK.
AFTERGLOW - The glowing remains produced by the firing of gunpowder based products such as quickmatch.
AIRBOMB – A shell effect launched from a firework that bangs. Normally very loud!
APOGEE – The point at which a projectile, such as a Rocket is at its greatest height above the Earth.
BALLHEAD ROCKET – A shell on a stick. Giving a bigger and louder effect than a standard plastic head rocket.
BANGER - A small tube containing gunpowder that is ignited from a simple fuse.
BATTERY – A group of Roman Candles that are connected.
BEES – A swarm or cluster of points of light that move and dissipate under their own power.
BLACK POWDER – (synonymous with Gunpowder) – An intimately milled mixture of potassium nitrate, sulphur and charcoal that has a propellant or explosive properties.
BLOSSOM – Colourful effect likened to a flower, or an effect that opens up and expands, like flow blossoming.
BOMBETTE - A combination of candles and or shells packed in a box and fired by interconnecting fuse or a mini shell found as a component of a Roman Candle, Mine or Shell.
BORE – The internal diameter of a firework tube. The wider the bore the more powerful the effect.
BOUQUET – Simultaneously ejects coloured stars from rockets or shells.
CAKE – A multi shot firework in which the effects or shell are placed i tubes so aligned in a horizontal plane rather than stacked like a roman candle.
CATERGORY 1/2/3/4 – British Standards classification of fireworks:
CAT 1: Can be lit indoors
CAT 2: (Garden Fireworks) are for outdoors use and spectators must be at least 5 metres away.
CAT 3: (Display fireworks) are for use outdoors and the spectators must be at least 25 metre away.
CAT 4: (Professional Fireworks) Fireworks may only be sold to or used by professionals.
CATHERINE WHEEL – A firework consisting of spiral or pyrotechnic composition in a paper case that rotates on a pin.
COMET – A single large star expelled from a firework leaving a glittering persistent trail behind it.
DAMP SQUIB – A firework that fails to ignite or explode.
FALLING LEAVES – An effect, where, a cluster of persistent coloured stars hang in the air and drift down.
FAN CAKE – Cake where tubes are angled, sending shots left and right.
FIREWORK – An article containing an explosive composition which, upon functioning will burn and or explode to produce visual and/or aural effects which are used for entertainment.
FISH – A wriggle effect that “swims” away in the sky.
FLASH POWDER – A mixture of fuels, oxidisers and other additives that is capable of being initiated to undergo fast deflagration which is usually accompanied by smoke and a bright flash.
FLITTER – A spark that gives a transient but twinkling effect.
FOUNTAIN – A long tubular firework from which a jet or spray of sparks erupts, sometimes accompanied by stars and screech.
FUSE – An item with pyrotechnic or explosive contents that is intended to be ignited in order to start the firework functioning or to transmit ignition from one part of a firework to another.
GERB – A small tubular firework from which a jet or spray issues.
IGNITION – Initiating combustion by raising the temperature of the reactants to ignition temperature.
LANCES – Small, tubular firework designed to emit colour flame for about 90 seconds. Used for visual set pieces.
LATTICE – A framework of crossed laths used for supporting lances or other fireworks.
MAROON – A firework that is fired from a mortar and explodes with a loud report.
MINE – A firework that is fired from a mortar which contains a single propellant charge and pyrotechnic unit.
MIS-FIRE – The failure of any firework or pyrotechnic unit to function within the expected time. In the event of a miss-fire, leave for 20 minutes before approaching the firework.
MORTAR – A tube from which a mine or a shell may be fired.
NEC – Net Explosive Content. The mass of the explosive content within a firework.
PALM TREE EFFECT – A cascading, persistent effect.
PEN LID CAKE – Multi shot screech –pop cake. Projectiles resemble plastic pen lids.
PEONY – Expanding sphere of stars.
PISTIL – Effect such as a peony which has a central part to it.
PORTFIRE – A hand held tubular appliance containing slow burning explosive composition which will emit a small flame. Used for lighting fuses.
PYROTECHNIC – Of, like, relating to fireworks.
PYROTECHNIST – A person skilled in the art of making or using fireworks.
QUICKMATCH – A fuse consisting of gunpowder coated onto cotton yarn using adhesives such as gum arabic.
REPORT – Another name for Bang.
ROCKET - A self propelled firework with stick for stabilisation of flight.
ROCKET LAUNCHER – A tube, frame, box or base from which rockets may be launched.
ROMAN CANDLE - A tubular firework usually containing plurality of alternate pyrotechnics units and propellant charges.
SALUTE – A loud report (bang)
SALVO – Rapid sequence or effects or fireworks.
SET-PIECE – An assembly consisting of lances and other frameworks linked together to form images and other pyrotechnical effects with a single point of ignition.
SHELL – A firework designed to be projected by a mortar tube and containing propellant charge, delayed fuse, burster and pyrotechnic units.
SPARKLER – Wire coated along one end with explosive composition.
STAR – A compressed pellet of explosive compositions designed t be projected as pyrotechnic unit with visual effects. Used in mines, shells rockets, roman candles and cakes.
SQUIB – a small tubular firework, containing gunpowder that makes a hissing sound and explodes.
TITANIUM SALUTE – A very loud bang with bright flash.
TOURBILLION – A star with an erratic flight which creates a spiralling glitter effect.
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Tags: 2008, Airbombs, cakes, fireworks uk, rockets, Uk Fireworks
