Pyrotechnicians...

A pyrotechnician is an individual responsible for the safe storage, handling, and functioning of pyrotechnics and pyrotechnic devices. Although the term is generally used in reference to individuals who operate pyrotechnics in the entertainment industry, it can include all individuals who regularly handle explosives. For the purposes of disambiguation, however, individuals who handle more powerful materials for commercial, demolition, or military applications are generally referred to as explosive technicians.

Certification

It is becoming more common in different countries and regions for individuals involved with the storage, handling and operation of pyrotechnics to have some form of license or certification. The specific requirements for certification, along with any restrictions or prohibitions, however, can vary wildly from one jurisdiction to the next. Most jurisdictions do require some type of minimum professional fireworks training before being allowed to apply for certification.

Canada

In Canada, individuals using, handling or storing pyrotechnics must receive government certification, administered by the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada. All individuals must meet certain minimum requirements, including being at least 18 years of age and having received government training, before being issued a license. All pyrotechnicians, of any classification or certification are required to maintain a log of their experience.

Certification for the use of proximate (indoor) pyrotechnics in Canada is separate from certification for display fireworks, and different government training and certification must be obtained.

The available licenses for the use of proximate pyrotechnics are sub-divided into one of 6 categories.

Theatrical User

The Theatrical User classification is intended for individuals who use pyrotechnics as only a minor part of their profession, and have no need for advancement to higher classes of certification. Individuals may use only a severely restricted list of pyrotechnics, and are also subject to significant restrictions as to their application. Certification is valid for one year.

Assistant

The Assistant classification is considered an entry level class for individuals entering the pyrotechnics profession, or who use pyrotechnics in their profession. Individuals may use a restricted list of pyrotechnics individually, but may fabricate, handle, and set-up a broader list of pyrotechnics typically prohibited to the Assistant under the direct supervision of a higher licensed individual. After five years of verifiable experience with a sufficient assortment of pyrotechnics, Assistant level technicians may apply for advancement to Pyrotechnician certification. Certification is valid for one year.

Pyrotechnician

The Pyrotechnician classification is the primary classification in Canada. Individuals may use any pyrotechnic device or product approved for use in Canada, and may also fabricate, handle, and set-up a special purpose or custom fabricated pyrotechnics typically prohibited while under the direct supervision of a Special Effects Technician. After five years of verifiable experience with a sufficient assortment of pyrotechnics, Pyrotechnician's may apply for advancement to Special Effects Technician certification. Certification is valid for one year.

Special Effects Technician

The Special Effects Technician classification is the most advanced classification in Canada. Individuals may use any pyrotechnic device or product approved for use in Canada, and may also fabricate, handle, and set-up a special purpose or custom fabricated pyrotechnics device typically prohibited. A Special Effects Technician may also apply for special certification to use restricted material, such as detonating cord and exploding bolts. Certification is valid for one year.

Authorities Having Jurisdiction

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) are individuals certified by the Explosive Regulatory Division to inspect and approve pyrotechnic events, including members of agencies associated with pyrotechnics such as fire departments and police forces. Unlike other certification classes, Authorities Having Jurisdiction are not required to pay a renewal fee, and certification is valid for five years.

Out-of-Country Technicians

Pyrotechnicians based outside of Canada participating in the production of a pyrotechnics special effects event in Canada are required to obtain a Visitor Card at either a Pyrotechnician or Special Effects Technician equivalent level. A certified Canadian technician of the applicable class must also be employed for the production. Visitor Cards are valid for one year.

Alternately, pyrotechnicians based outside of Canada may apply for Canadian certification, provided they meet the minimum requirements and attend the Explosive Regulatory Division certification training.

United States

There is no national certification or licensing requirements for pyrotechnicians in the United States, however, many individual states implement their own certification or licensing programs. Not all states have reciprocity agreements in regards to honouring another states certification, so it is not uncommon for pyrotechnicians to have certifications from multiple states. Certain states require certification to store, handle and operate fireworks but not proximate (indoor) pyrotechnics; other states use the same certification for all pyrotechnics. It is always recommended to confer with local authorities in any jurisdiction to determine local laws and regulations.

Professional pyrotechnic companies typically have licenses issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with regard to manufacturer and distribution of pyrotechnic materials.

Pyrotechnics...

Pyrotechnics is the science of materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound. Pyrotechnics include not only the manufacture of fireworks, but items such as safety matches, oxygen candles, explosive bolts and fasteners, and components of the automobile safety airbag.

Pyrotechnic devices combine high reliability with very compact and efficient energy storage, in the form chemical energy which is converted to expanding hot gases either through deflagration or detonation. The controlled action of a pyrotechnic device (initiated by any of several means, including an electrical signal, optical signal or mechanical impetus) makes possible a wide range of automated and/or remote mechanical actions; for example, deployment of safety equipment and services, precisely timed release sequences, etc. The majority of the technical pyrotechnic devices usepropellants in their function, a minority use materials that are classified as primary or secondary explosives to obtain very fast and powerful mechanical (mostly cutting) actions; for example cable cutters or exploding bolts.

Individuals responsible for the safe storage, handling, and functioning of pyrotechnic devices are referred to as pyrotechnicians.

Pyrotechnic Effects

Explosions, flashes, smoke, flames, fireworks or other propellant driven effects used in the entertainment industry are referred to as pyrotechnic special effects, theatrical effects, or proximate pyrotechnics. Proximate refers to the pyrotechnic device's location relative to an audience. Special training and licencing must be obtained from local authorities to legally prepare and use proximate pyrotechnics.

Rammstein uses pyrotechnics numerous times in their shows, such as this performance of Feuer Frei.

Many musical groups use pyrotechnics to enhance the quality of their live shows. Some of the earliest bands to use pyrotechnics were Queen, Pink Floyd, and KISS. The band Rammstein uses a large variety of pyrotechnics, from flaming costumes to face-mounted flamethrowers. Also Nightwish and Lordi are known for their vivid pyrotechnics. Many professional wrestlers have also used pyrotechnics as part of their entrances to the ring. One example would be Bill Goldberg, who used pyrotechnics during his in ring entrance in both World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Modern pyrotechnics are, in general, divided into categories based upon the type of effect produced or manufacturing method. The most common categories are:

• Airburst - Hanging charges designed to burst into spheres of sparks.
• Binary kits - Powders divided into oxidizer and fuel intended to be mixed before use.
• Comets (meteor) - Rising shots resembling shooting stars.
• Preloaded Comet
• Preloaded Mine - Tubes containing a lift charge intended to project stars, sparks, confetti or streamers.
• Preloaded Smoke Pot - Cartridges designed to release a mushroom cloud of smoke.
• Preloaded Report (concussion tube) - Tubes designed to create a loud report.
• Falls - Devices intended to drop like falling stars.
• Fireballs / Mortar Hits - Containers creating mushroom clouds of flame.
• Flame Projector - Columns shooting pillars of flame.
• Flare (Torch) - Short, high intensity flames or various colours.
• Flash Cotton (Sparkle String) - Cotton string impregnated with nitrocellulose.
• Flashpaper - Sheets of nitrocellulose resembling tissue paper.
• Flash Pot - A container for creating a bright flash and smoke.
• Flash Tray (split mine) - A long tube creating a wide, bright flash.
• Gerb (including fountain, whistle, and waterfall) - A fountain of sparks.
• Lance - A small brightly coloured fountain that produces few sparks.
• Line Rockets - Whistling gerbs travelling across wires.
• Multi-Tube Article (multi-shot plate, multiple shot repeater boards and bombardo boards; designed to function in sequence) - Multiple effects chained together.
• Pre-Mixed Powder - Powders intended to create various effects. (Concussions, flashes, etc.)
• Squib - A small, pre-matched device typically used to replicate bullet hits.
• Strobe - A device intended to create bright repetitive flashes.
• Wheel (Saxon) - Tubes that create a spinning wheel of sparks.

A basic pyrotechnic device

A basic theatrical effect, designed to create a jet or fountain of sparks, is referred to as a gerb. A gerb consists of a sufficiently strong and non-flammable container to hold the pyrotechnic compound. Typical pyrotechnic formulations consist either of flammable materials such as nitrocellulose and/or blackpowder or a mixture of a fuel and oxidizer blended in situ. A plug placed at one end of the container with a small orifice, called a choke, constricts the expulsion of the ignited pyrotechnic compound, increasing the size and aggressiveness of the jet.

Pyrotechnics are widely used in professional wrestling, especially by WWE, to provide the excitement of the event

Various ingredients may be added to pyrotechnic devices to provide colour, smoke, noise or sparks. Special additives and construction methods are used to modify the character of the effect produced, either to enhance or subdue the effect; for example, sandwiching layers of pyrotechnic compounds containing potassium perchlorate, sodium salicylate or sodium benzoate with layers that do not creates a fountain of sparks with an undulating whistle.

In general, such pyrotechnic devices are initiated by a remotely controlled electrical signal that causes an electric match, or e-match, to produce ignition. The remote control may be manual, via a switch console, or computer controlled according to a pre-programmed sequence and/or a sequence that tracks the live performance via stage cues.

[edit]Display Pyrotechnics

Main article: Firework

Display pyrotechnics, also known as commercial fireworks, are pyrotechnic devices intended for use outdoors, where the audience can be further away, and smoke and fallout is less of a concern. Generally the effects, though often similar to proximate pyrotechnics, are of a larger size and more vigorous in nature. It will typically take an entire day to setup a professional fireworks display. The size of these fireworks can range from 2.5" diameter to over 16" diameter depending on the available distance from the audience. Special fireworks training and licensing must be obtained from local authorities to legally prepare and use display pyrotechnics. NV

[edit]Consumer Pyrotechnics

Consumer pyrotechnics are devices readily available for purchase to the general public without special licensing or training. These items are considered relatively low hazard devices but, like all pyrotechnics, can still be hazardous and should be stored, handled and used appropriately. Some of the most common examples of consumer pyrotechnics encountered include recreational fireworks, model rocket motors, highway flares, sparklers and caps for toy guns. Pyrotechnics are also indirectly involved in other consumer products such as powder actuatednail guns, ammunition for firearms, and modern fireplaces.

[edit]Safety

Pyrotechnics stunt exhibition by "Giant Auto Rodéo",Ciney, Belgium.

If not handled and/or used properly pyrotechnics can be dangerous. In 2003, improper use of pyrotechnic devices caused a fire in a Rhode Island nightclub called, The Station. The Station nightclub fire was started when the fireworks the band Great White was using accidentally ignited flammable soundproofing foam, which was not appropriate and/or not installed properly. The foam caused the fire to spread rapidly and the resulting fire led to 100 deaths, ostensibly because their quick escape was blocked by ineffective exit doors. A similar pyrotechnic-induced fire in 2004 destroyed the Republica Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing 194 people.

Indoor and/or proximate pyrotechnics is a sub-specialty that requires additional training beyond that of other professional pyrotechnics areas and additionally requires the use of devices especially made for indoor and/or close proximity use. While the type of foam used and the lack of a required sprinkler system were important factors in the fire, the Great White fire could have been prevented had those involved paid even minimal attention to standard safety practices around the use of pyrotechnics^{[citation needed]}.

A common low-budget pyrotechnic electric flash pot is created using screw-in electric fuses in a porcelain light fixture. The viewing window is removed from the top of the fuse and flash powder poured into the hole around the fuse link. When plugged into line power, the fuse instantly blows, igniting the flash powder. Such flash pots are highly dangerous since they use exposed line current, the use of high amperage fuses can cause large main circuit breakers and building-wide fuses to trip, and there is usually no indication of whether the lamp socket is powered. Screwing a powder-loaded fuse into an unknowingly powered socket will result in immediate igniting in the face of the pyrotechnician and potentially severe burns. Proper commercial electric flash pots include safety features such as warning pilot lamps, preignition grounding and safing circuits, and keyed power connections to help prevent accidental ignition.

Famous Fireworks Manufacturers in TamilNadu...

http://www.standardfireworks.in/

official Standard fireworks Website

Spread, Size and Firsts Standard Fireworks Ltd., is India 's largest fireworks manufacturing company. The company's products enjoy a 45% market-share in India and 5% of global exports. The company is currently growing at a steady rate of 10% every year.  Spread over forty million square feet of prime land with 16 manufacturing units and several ancillary units, it employs over 10,000 personnel. The fact that only 10% of the total land area is being used, answers the concern for issues of environment and safety during production.  Standard Fireworks has achieved the distinction of being the first Indian Company to break the monopoly of Chinese firecrackers in the US market, besides pioneering sales in countries such as U.K, Germany , Belgium , Holland , Spain , Canada , Middle East , South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Manufacturing Infrastructure and Facilities Standard Fireworks has established in-house facilities for manufacturing every component in its entire product range. These also include; Raw materials, product design, packaging, printing, labeling, covers, cases, shells, raw material mixing, machining and storage. The facilities also include units for fuse making, wire cutting, extruding, manufacture of paper tubes, gunpowder, roll and dot caps. The company's ease in arriving at new products and thereby commencing production to meet mass market demands, speaks volumes of its highly experienced and dedicated pyrotechnicians. The ‘Research & Development' capability, combined with adherence to safety, legislation and quality standards has ensured that Standard Fireworks is a leading supplier to the explosives requirements of Military, Ordnance factories and public sectors in India.  Standard Fireworks has harnessed in Sivakasi, the right combination of location, humidity and temperature, availability of raw materials, technology and labour to produce an amazing range of products that meet International standards. At the horizon, the stage is all set for the Standard Fireworks products to display its capability, at celebrations across the globe. Standard Fireworks Ltd. is a major supplier of explosives and special range of fireworks to the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and Government owned Ordnance factories. Its range of products are expansive and cost effective.  The company has focused its attention and importance on every safety detail, while striving to achieve an `Accident-Free-Production Zone.' Some of the regulations : The safe humidity levels for production work is between 40 and 70 % If the level varies above or below, the work is immediately stopped. The walls in the factory are protected with Lightning barriers, sandbags or earth mounds. The floors of working rooms are laid with 3mm thick rubber sheet to avoid avoid friction.
Growth Profile of an Indian Pyrotechnics Giant  Into its sixth decade of existence, the Company has performed brilliantly to earn the distinction of being the ‘Number One' Pyrotechnics Company in India and to be the World's largest in terms of the number of employees. Its phenomenal success is a result of sustained efforts in manufacturing and standardising products. The graphical illustrations speak of the company's performance over the years.

Profile: 

Are you looking forward to purchase fancy items of Fireworks, Paper Caps, Colour Matches etc. Here is your answer! You can rely upon technologically upgraded quality products from Anil Fireworks Factory, the pioneers in the industry since 1923 marketing especially superfine items of novel designs, offered at attractive low prices considering global market today. It is worth mentioning our small contribution towards the Gala Celebration of Bi-Centenary of U.S.A. with export of sparklers from Anil Fireworks. Recently, we have exported our fireworks to South Africa.

ANIL = QUALITY

Having established a name for quality in fireworks in the domestic market we are now engaged in the export market. For this purpose, a new concern - Anil Mercantile Exporters has been started exclusively.

More than 250 Items of Fireworks are manufactured with the Pyrotechnic Aluminium Powder and Black Powder combination as per the Indian Explosive Act.

Eventhough we have established a name for quality, we are still engaged in market research and development by consulting with experts in China, Taiwan and Germany for us to benefit from their knowledge and suggestions to improve the quality our products and services still further. Our partners frequently make trips to foreign countries for this purpose.

OUR HISTORY: 

It was in 1923, 77 years back our group was started with a single factory with 100 workers for the manufacture of Anil Brand Safety Matches. Today after 77 years of continous standing in the Industrial field, our group has expanded to the present growth, consisting of 25 Industrial Units engaged in diversified and varied activities such as manufacture of potassium chlorate, copper coated wires, paper tubes, agricultural products, herbal products, traditional offset printing unit etc. employing more than 5000 dedicated workers.etc. employing more than 5000 dedicated workers.

OUR FOUNDER:                                               

We owe everything to our founder Sri.Pabanasa Nadar whose visionary concept has made us to grow in this gigantic form and still growing with his blessings to cater the needs of the Nation and to give employment to further thousands

      

http://ayyanfireworks.emallroad.com/

From its inception in 1923 till 1984, for some six decades Ayyan Nadar headed the institution that he founded.

From 1984, his sons Mr.A.Graha Durai and A.Vaira Prakasam have been heading the business house. In 1996 they forayed into yarn and have set up a spinning mill and also into printing. The results are good and they are well set. The third generation is well equipped and are eager to hold aloft the banner of Ayyan.

Fireworks Manufacturing Process...

Making the stars

• 1 The ingredients used to prepare stars are obtained from chemical supply companies and stored in barrels. At the time of mixing the chemicals are scooped out of the barrels, weighed, and sifted twice through brass screens to remove lumps. (Brass is used because it does not produce sparks.) The sifted powders are placed on a large sheet of paper and gently mixed by hand. The powders may also be mixed inside a rotating drum or a stationary container with rotating paddles. These devices must be used with great care to avoid generating heat through friction or trapping bits of powder between moving parts.
• 2 The mixed powder is placed in barrels and taken from the mixing room to the cutting room. Water is mixed with it to form a soft dough. Lumps of the dough are scooped into large paper-lined wooden molds shaped like loaves of bread. The dough is packed firmly into the mold with a wooden mallet. (The wet dough is much safer to manipulate than the dry powder.)
• 3 The loaves of dough, weighing about 35 pounds (16 kg) each, are unmolded onto a workbench covered with heavy cardboard sprinkled with black powder. The loaves are cut in one direction to form slices then cut in the other direction to form dice. The dimensions of the dice may be anywhere from 0.06-2 inches (0.16-5 cm). The black powder adheres to the wet dice and will help them burn when the firework is ignited. The dice are allowed to dry on papercovered screens.

Making the breaks

• 4 The dried dice are now stars. They are moved to the packing room to be placed into cardboard containers. A hollow cardboard tube is placed in the center of the cylindrical container and stars are gently poured around it. A large container may hold as many as 900 stars (about 4.4 pounds [2 kg]). When the container is full, black powder is poured inside the hollow tube and the tube is removed. The powder fills the spaces between the stars, and will serve to ignite and scatter them. A paper cap is placed on the filled container, now called a "break."
• 5 The break is wrapped with heavy string, a process known as spiking. Spiking is done by tying one end of a large spool of string to the break and winding the string around it. When the break is completely covered, the string is cut and tied. Some breaks are not spiked, but are made instead of plastic or heavier cardboard to withstand the stress of being launched. A time fuse (a short, slow-burning fuse that causes the break to explode a certain amount of time after it is launched) is inserted into the break, and it is wrapped in heavy paper. The wrapped breaks are moved to the pasting room to be wrapped in heavy, paste-soaked paper, then allowed to dry for about two days. The paper hardens as the paste dries to form a strong, tight seal.
• 6 Some breaks, known as salutes, are filled with flash powder rather than stars and black powder. Flash powder is mixed in much the same way as the chemicals used to make stars. It is then poured into cardboard containers that are thicker and stronger than other breaks. This allows more pressure to build up before the salute bursts, resulting in a louder bang. These salutes are then spiked and pasted like other breaks.

Making the shells

• 7 The dry breaks are moved to the finishing room to be assembled into shells. The simplest shells consist of a small compartment of black powder combined with a single break. Due to their spherical structure, Asian shells always contain only one break. Because American and European shells are cylindrical, more than one break can be stacked together, so that the shell will display multiple bursts of different colors when it explodes. Multi-break shells usually consist of a small compartment of black powder, three or four colored breaks, and a salute. Some large shells contain as many as 10 breaks, and at least one gigantic shell has been made holding 22 breaks. The shell is assembled by stacking the components together, attaching a starting fuse (a long, fast-burning fuse used to ignite the black powder that launches the firework), wrapping them in heavy paper, and tying the package together with string. The completed firework is then labeled and stored until needed.

Making small fireworks

• 8 Small fireworks, intended for private use, are made in much the same way as large ones, but they are generally simpler in construction and contain much less explosive. Small fireworks include firecrackers (paper tubes holding a small amount of explosive), fountains (paper cones filled with chemicals which release colored sparks), and Roman candles (long paper tubes filled with a small amount of explosive and several small stars which shoot out one at a time). Some small fireworks contain no explosive at all and may be as simple as a single chemical wrapped in paper or foil. Examples include smoke balls (filled with a chemical that releases colored smoke) and snakes (filled with ammonium dichromate, which slowly burns and produces a long trail of ash). Sparklers are made by dipping a metal wire in a slurry containing a fuel, an oxidizer, a coloring agent, and aluminum granules, which provide the sparks.

Launching the fireworks

• 9 Professional fireworks are usually launched by the same companies who make them. If a set piece (a ground-based display that forms a picture or words with colored flares called lances) is to be used, the design to be formed is sketched on graph paper and sent to carpenters who build a wooden frame with thin wooden slats in the shape of the design. If music will accompany the fireworks, the timing of the display is planned to match the tempo of the music.
• 10 Several hours before the show begins (or a few days in advance, for a very large show), the crew arrives with all the necessary equipment, including fire extinguishers and first aid kits. Mortars to launch the shells are placed in their proper places. Large ones are placed in holes dug in the ground or in steel drums filled with sand. Smaller mortars are placed in wooden racks. The proper shell for each mortar is loaded in place. The frames for set pieces are assembled, lances are attached to the slats, and fuses are attached to the lances. When the display begins, the lances and mortars are lit at the proper times, either with long hand-held flares or with electrical wires attached to a central switchboard. After the show, the crew safely destroys any unexploded duds.

Quality Control

The most important quality control factor in making fireworks is safety. Firework factories are protected from intruders by chain-link fences, barbed wire, locked gates, steel doors, and tamper-proof locks. Within these factories, numerous precautions are taken to prevent accidents.

Electricity is the greatest danger. A single small spark can set off a roomful of explosives. All electrical outlets are located out-side the building. To avoid generating static electricity, all workers must wear 100% cotton clothing. They touch a copper plate before they enter a building to remove any static electricity they may be carrying. Elastic straps with wires trailing to the graphite floor are worn around the worker's calves, to drain static electricity away to grounding rods buried beneath the building. All work is halted and all workers leave the building if there is any possibility of an electrical storm approaching.

Many other safety measures are used. All work is done by hand, to avoid machines that could produce heat or sparks. In the winter, buildings are heated with hot water rather than hot air, which could cause an explosion. The buildings are small, so no one is more than one or two steps away from an exit. All exits have doors that open wide at the slightest touch. Explosive chemicals are never mixed when wet, because when they dry out they may release gases that could ignite them.

Where To Learn More

Books

Brenner, Martha. Fireworks Tonight! Hastings House, 1986.

Plimpton, George. Fireworks. Doubleday, 1984.

Periodicals

Begley, Sharon. "Up in the Sky! It's…Hearts! Stars! Bow Ties!" Newsweek, July 9, 1990, p. 60.

Conkling, John A. "Pyrotechnics." Scientific American, July 1990, pp. 96-102.

Kozlou, Alex. "First Family of Fireworks." Discover, July 1990, pp. 40-45.

—Rose Secrest