Frequently Asked Questions

Buying your fireworks with us is made very simple. You have two options. Order online:   Select your items and add them to your basket. Any free offers or discounts advertised on our website will automatically be added to your order. To finalise and place your order, we secure payments with Paypal. You will be prompted at checkout for your Paypal details or credit/debit card details via Paypal. You will receive two invoices, one from Paypal and one from ourselves. Whether you have selected delivery or collection you will be contacted shortly after your order is processed by email to arrange your chosen method. Sales hotline: If you prefer to order in person, please call our sales hotline and speak to our advisors. Please be aware the phone is not manned 24 hours, but please leave your name and number and one of our team will call you back!
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Suggested safety equipment for your display. • Adequate lighting to read the instructions. • Bucket of water/fire extinguishers close to display. • Gloves and eye protection. • Fireworks must be adequately secured as per the manufactures instructions. A bucket of soft earth or sand can be used to prevent fireworks from moving or you could consider using a stake with the firework secured to it. Use a launching tube for rockets, following the manufacturers advise to secure the tubing. Consider the angle of the tube to ensure it is not directed at the audience, buildings or over hanging trees so the rocket has a clear flight path. Remember a rocket will always when launched track into the direction of the prevailing wind. What goes up must come down. Ensure there is a suitable safety area to allow for the safe fall out of the stick after it is fired. Do not attach anything to the rocket. Any fireworks that fail to ignite do not return to investigate. Leave for approx. 30 minutes then they can be submerged in a bucket of water before disposing of.
Despite our best efforts to keep a huge holding of our popular lines, we do at times run out. Should any item you have ordered be out of stock you will be contacted with an alternative product. If you wish to cancel your order due to stock not being available, we will refund you fully.
Cakes Cakes also known as Barrages, are one of the most common fireworks used in consumer displays and are constructed from many cardboard tubes glued together. Each tube normally contains a single shot, and these are all connected by an internal fuse. Once the cake is lit, the fuse burns from tube to tube, igniting each shot in turn, which usually flies up into the air where it explodes with an effect. Thus, a 16 shot cake will have 16 tubes, a 49 shot cake will have 49 tubes and so on. They normally offer the best value for money in your display because unlike rockets for example, which have one single effect, a cake will repeat its shots. So, a 16 shot cake will have 16 shots in sequence, one after the other. You would need 16 separate rockets to achieve the same number of bursts. Fan Cakes In Fan cakes the tubes are angled slightly so that the shots are sent out to the left and right of the firework in addition to straight up. But even better, each row of shots can be fused to fire simultaneously. Fan cakes provide a stunning barrage of multiple shots. They tend to be expensive, but the effect created is near-professional. They make ideal finale fireworks to end your show. Where a fan cake fires its shots in a chaser sequence from left to right and vice versa, it is known as a “Z” firing cake. Roman Candle Roman candle is the traditional name for a firework that has been around for centuries. It is a card tube with a shell sitting inside it. The fuse runs into the tube and ignites a lifting charge, popping the shell out of the open top and into the air, where it then explodes with its effect. The candle itself remains on the ground. Rockets Rockets vary considerably in size and shape. In recent years, packaging has changed to include metallic reflective casings, and double, triple and even quadruple effects are available. All rockets have one thing in common they offer a very short effect. Unlike cakes or candles, the rocket’s effect normally explodes in one go and is therefore over in a few seconds. Some rockets manage to achieve a longer hang time with persistent effects such as gold glitter or fish, but durations of more than a few seconds are rare. The majority of rockets contain a display effect. This means something pretty or colourful, sometimes accompanied by other sounds such as crackles. Some rockets have a pretty tail when they take off and nearly all rockets bang as a side effect of the payload detonating...the bang! Fountains Bigger fountains are referred to as conic fountains. A conic fountain resembles a volcano in shape and it’s not far off with its effects too! This is because conic fountains normally contain just one single type of effect which is pressed inside the cone-shaped casing. Starting slowly, these can build up to quite magnificent plumes and look particularly good used in a line across the display area. Catherine Wheel In the 4th century, St. Catherine of Alexandria was tortured on a wheel giving rise to the traditional name catherine wheel for this well-known rotating device. A wheel is a card or plastic disc with a number of rocket-like thrusters or gerbs (fountains) mounted around the circumference. Each one burns to provide both sparks and thrust, spinning the wheel around. The fast motion of many wheels adds to the effect. Most larger wheels change effects as each gerb burns in turn. So, you might have silver or gold, then colours, then screeching. Price has never been a good indicator of quality with wheels. Some of the cheapest wheels offer stunning performance, good duration and even reversing action. In general though, more expensive wheels have bigger and better gerbs – but be sure to mount them high enough to show off the effect. Selection Boxes Fireworks selection boxes have a little bit of everything in. They are designed for small displays where pretty colours and effects are used. They rarely have any high fireworks, most are ground level and normally quieter than the cakes, barrages and rockets. These display boxes require the lighter to light each piece individually.
Please find a very comprehensive review from the UK's firework forum, giving you everything you need to know about storing of fireworks. You can find the article at the following link. http://www.firework-review.org.uk/safe-fireworks-storage/  

Safe Fireworks Storage

This article contains advice on storing your fireworks safely at home along with the current legal limits for each class of consumer firework. If you’re confused by the terms 1.3G, 1.4G, HT3 and HT4 then start by reading the Fireworks Classifications guide.  

Basic storage advice

Fireworks contain explosives! That might sound like a statement of the blindingly obvious, but you need to get into the mindset that you are handling and storing explosives and not toys. When storing fireworks at home the main things to ensure are:
  • The fireworks are kept away from any sources of heat or ignition
  • The fireworks are kept dry
Sources of heat or ignition include heaters, naked flames and people smoking. Never smoke while handling fireworks! It is essential that your fireworks are kept dry. Beware of storing fireworks outside in sheds which can get damp and avoid anywhere with significant changes of temperatures including greenhouses, conservatories and lofts which could result in condensation. If you must keep your fireworks in the shed, wrap them up tightly in well sealed bin liners or plastic bags. Some more useful advice:
  • Store fireworks in their original packaging (mail order fireworks will be supplied in tough cardboard cartons)
  • Do not store fireworks with any other flammable materials including petrol, oil or paint
  • If there is a possibility of children or animals having access to the fireworks, keep them stored in a lockable container or cabinet
Make use of your fireworks supplier! Many retailers are happy to store your fireworks for you until closer to your display. This is by far the safest option.
Fireworks Storage

Fireworks being stored in a retailer’s licenced store

 

Firework storage – the legal side summarised

Your consumer fireworks will be classed for transport as either 1.4G (0336) or 1.3G (0335) by the UN.  Fireworks supplied in their own individual boxes (referred to as “cartons” in the trade) will have an orange hazard diamond on the side to indicate their classification. For loose items, consult your retailer. The storage laws are governed by the Explosive Regulations 2014 (which replaced MSER: Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005) which determine the legal limits for Hazard Type 3 (HT3) and Hazard Type 4 (HT4) items. Generally speaking it is safe to assume that 1.4G fireworks are Hazard Type 4 and 1.3G fireworks are Hazard Type 3. This is the assumption used for the remainder of this article however you must consult your fireworks supplier for confirmation of the exact hazard types of the fireworks you are buying. All storage quantities relate to the Net Explosive Content, or NEC of the firework. This is not the same as the firework’s gross weight. For example, a firework may weigh 5kg but the actual NEC may only be 0.5kg. Your supplier should be able to tell you what the NEC of your fireworks is. If not, it can be estimated to be around one quarter of the firework’s total weight as a worst case scenario to work from. All new products tested to comply with EN15947 and which are CE marked will have the NEC shown on the warning label. In short, the limits for storing fireworks at home without registration are: Hazard Type 4 (usually 1.4G):
  • Up to 5kg NEC – store for an unlimited time
  • Up to 50kg NEC – store for up to 21 consecutive days provided they are not for sale or use at work
  • Up to 250kg NEC – store for up to 5 consecutive days and in their place of intended use
  • Any amount for up to 24 hours
Although these weights might not sound very much, remember they refer to the explosive content of the fireworks and not their gross (overall) weight. A huge 10Kg barrage for example might contain less than 1Kg of explosive. Taking this into account, these limits are actually quite liberal for HT4 fireworks.
Hazard Type 3 (usually 1.3G):
  • Up to 5kg NEC – store for an unlimited time
  • Up to 100kg NEC – store for up to 5 consecutive days and in their place of intended use
  • Any amount for up to 24 hours
As you can see the limits for HT3 fireworks are considerably more restrictive. Note: Where there is a mix of HT4 and HT3 fireworks they are treated as if they were all HT3. In practical terms this means if 99% of your fireworks are labelled as 1.4G and you have a single 1.3G firework then legally all of your fireworks would be viewed for the purposes of storage as 1.3G and therefore the limits for HT3 could apply. Those of you who have stored fireworks before 2014 under the MSER guidelines will also note the terms “place of intended use” and “not for sale or use at work” which are applicable on some of the above. In everyday terms, the place of intended use covers you for buying fireworks to store at home for your home display, or to buy and store them where your display is taking place. Not for sale or use at work basically means non-commercial use. If you are buying fireworks to sell or you are displaying for money (providing a commercial service) then you will have to look into registration and licensing. A storage licence allows you to store fireworks all year and to sell during key periods only.  

Storing larger quantities or for longer time

If your storage of fireworks will exceed the above limits either in terms of time or NEC, or if you want to store fireworks for commercial reasons, you may be required to register your fireworks storage or apply for a storage licence. This is done with your local licensing authority. This will usually be either Trading Standards or the local Fire Authority and they will be able to advise you further. Local authorities can grant a licence to store up to a maximum of 2000kg NEC HT3 or HT4. The licence may be issued for up to five years and fees will apply. Remember this will not apply to the vast majority of home users of consumer fireworks! Ref : http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1638/schedule/13/made Storage of HT4 and HT3 at legal and licensed premises is subject to certain separation distances between the storage area and surrounding buildings or places. Separation distances only come in to play for >250kg HT4 or >25kg HT3. The more astute of you will recognise these figures as they relate to what was known as a Registration. To see the tables of distance, refer to the regulations. Ref: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1638/schedule/5/made If you are looking to store more than 2000kg NEC then you would need to apply to HSE directly. The process is far more involved and proper advice needs to taken. All HSE licensed Sites require Local Authority Assent, basically a notice to the local populace and acceptance of your proposal. The whole process can be quite lengthy. Ref: http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/licensing/how-to-apply.htm  

Firework storage – the legal side in more detail

As stated above the law covering the storage of fireworks is The Explosives Regulations 2014. Here is a link for further reading which is the legislation in its original form (some small amendments have been made since but there is not currently an on-line version of it). It is recommended to put the kettle on first as this is a very long document: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1638/contents/made These regulations are complex and it is the responsibility of the licence holder to comply with the terms of their licence. The Issuing Authority will help and offer guidance in the majority of cases. If they cannot, then post a message on our forum and one of the members with the requisite knowledge should be able to help you.  

All year sales licence

This is not to be confused with the storage rules and regulations above. In the UK it is permissible to sell fireworks to the general public (Categories 1, 2 and 3 only) during the four key selling periods:
  • On the first day of the Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceding it
  • On the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding it
  • During the period beginning on the 15th October and ending on the 10th November
  • During the period beginning on the 26th December and ending on the 31st December
If you wish to sell outside of these periods you will have to apply for an all year sales licence (current cost is £500/year) via your Local Licencing Authority. In almost every case you will need to be the holder of a valid storage licence too.  

Changes to the regulations

It must be stressed that fireworks laws and regulations can and do change. This article should only be considered as correct at the time of going to press (November 2014 and updated August 2015) and is not a substitute for up to date advice from your fireworks supplier or local licensing authority. Disclaimer: This article is intended as a guide only. It is your responsibility to ensure you store your fireworks legally and UKFR accepts no responsibility if the information here is wrong. Please consult the above links, your retailer or your local licensing authority if you require formal clarification of UK fireworks storage laws. This is NOT an official guide.        
It is against the law for anyone to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on certain occasions: Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am Check with your council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks.