Firework Purchasing Tips2634160
The 'standard' fireworks licence only permits a supplier to sell fireworks for a three week period before November 5th, a few days before New Year, Diwali and Chinese New Year.
If we deal with what to buy first, then the most essential thing to look for is that the fireworks comply with British Regular BS7114. This number must be printed on the box or firework, and shows that the product complies with strict safety standards. If you don't see this number, then leave nicely alone. These fireworks should not even be offered for sale, but sadly non compliant fireworks do still slip via the net.
Fireworks are divided into four categories, only two of which truly concern us right here. Category one is for such things as indoor fireworks, and category four is for professional show products, so most of what you see in the shops will be in categories two and 3.
The main criteria for category two fireworks are that the fuse must burn for in between 3 and 13 seconds, and it must be viewed from at least five metres away. For category 3 the fuse is five to 15 seconds, and the viewing distance 25 metres. There are also criteria for debris fallout areas, but these are the main defining criteria. You tend to get category two fireworks in the smaller display boxes, sold through mainstream suppliers' such as newsagents and supermarkets. The much more spectacular category 3 items are usually sold as person items, and are usually to be found in much more specialist outlets.
One very easy, but fairly reliable tip for gauging the value and likely overall performance of a firework is to really feel the weight of it. Usually speaking, the heavier a firework is, the better show it will give you. This is by no indicates a hard and quick rule, but it is a extremely good rule of thumb.
Having been in the trade for 40 years now, I like to think I have had a reasonable amount of feed back on the subject of DIY firework displays, and the factor that crops up time and once more is that most displays last for as well long, with as well many 'same again' fireworks! The problem could so easily be solved with a bit of forward planning. Rather of the usual scenario, exactly where six individuals all turn up with a small box of fireworks, very most likely from a non specialist outlet, that fizzle and phutt their way through a lacklustre display, why not collect an agreed quantity of money from every guest rather, and then go to a specialist retailer, and buy a couple of really spectacular fireworks. Everyone will then see a shorter, but far much better display.
We now have a normal customer base, which entrust their spending budget to us each year, and rely us to construct a memorable show for them. Initially it might be tough to persuade them to spend any where between £40 and £140 on one firework, but almost with out exception, once they have gone that route, they by no means look back!
