When planning your event the exciting part is choosing your fireworks and then bringing them together to make a display. What is really important though is making sure you have all your equipment ready and working properly for the night. It’s no good thinking “I should have got more portfires” in the middle of the display. Below is a comprehensive check list that you may wish to follow.
A few days before your display
1. List all the fireworks you have purchased and number them
2. Draw a plan of your display area, note any trees with overhanging branches, wooden buildings i.e. Sheds and Green houses. If there are any flower beds or if the ground is uneven and you are liable to trip up mark out these areas and try and avoid if possible.
3. Mark out on the plan from where each firework will be set off. Remember to put the smaller ones like Fountains at the front and the big Single Ignitions right at the back. Check and adhere to recommended safety distances for each firework.
4. Decide whether you want to dig the fireworks into the ground, use buckets and sand or wooden stakes and duct tape/garden wire.
5. Choose another person to have as an assistant. This person must be 18 years or older to perform this task.
6. Lighting the fireworks. We would recommend using Portfires, these have a burn time of 3 to 4 minutes and are reliable. Only use cigarette lighters to light the portfires and not the fireworks!
7. Torch – make sure it works.
8. Rocket Tubes – most rocket packs come with a tube inside the pack but if you wish to set off more than one at a time then make sure you have plenty. A good Firework shop should be able to supply them for you.
9. Decide where you are going to store the fireworks before setting them out. Keep them away from damp as well as fire!
10. It may have or be raining on the day of your display, make sure you have plenty of plastic carrier bags to put under and over the fireworks to keep them from getting damp.
Actual day of firing – check list
1. Spade for digging big holes for larger wooden posts
2. Torch with extra batteries
3. Rocket tubes/tape/wire/sand/bricks
4. Wire cutters
5. A Knife – freeing the fuses before it gets dark
6. Gloves
7. Portfires plus cigarette lighter
8. Warm and flame proof clothing, your personal protection equipment
9. Fire Extinguisher if you have one
10. Plenty of plastic carrier bags, cling film and silver foil
11. First aid kit
12. Camera – be proud of your display set up!
13. Firing Order
14. Check your assistant knows where everything is.
Finally, enjoy your display, if you put the effort into the preparation then the display should run well and the roar of approval from the crowd will signify a job well done!
Links
The Firework Safety Site
http://www.fireworksafety.co.uk
B&Q – Torches
Gaffer tape.com
http://www.gaffertape.com/page-212.wtl
Safety Clothing Suppliers
Tags: fireworks, firing check list, rockets
