British Standard for Fireworks

British Standards are created by a committee that includes representatives from those involved in the manufacturing industry, and in this case the result was BS7114 which is divided into three parts Part 1, Classihcation of Fireworks Part 2, Specihcation of Fireworks and Part 3, Methods of Test of Fireworks. 

In Part 1, hreworks are divided into four categories that relate to where the products are used and the level of associated hazards. 

Category 4 hreworks are of such design that they are not intended for use by the general public and therefore do not feature signih-cantly in BS7114. 

Part 2 of the British Standard lists all of the main types of firework within Category 1, Category 2 and Category 3, and provides specification requirements by which the construction and performance of these fireworks can be controlled. Aspects that are addressed include means of ignition, projection of burning matter, projection of debris, principal pyrotechnic effects and the angle of flight of rockets. 

Part 3 of BS7114 is concerned with the methods of testing of fireworks and certain items of auxiliary equipment such as rocket launchers. In essence, the standard calls up chemical and physical test methods that are applied to all types of firework, from toy caps to large rockets. Fireworks that are incomplete or not intended for sale to the general public are excluded. 

Chemical testing is carried out in an approved laboratory because the firework must first be dismantled. Wet methods of analysis are applied that involve analytieal grade reagents to detect, in particular, the presence of chlorates in admixture with elemental sulfur. Sulfur-chlorate mixtures are banned in the UK, and a major use of sulfurless gunpowder is in fireworks where chlorates are also present. 

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BRITISH STANDARD (Fireworks) BS7114 Part 1 Classihcation of Fireworks, Part 2 Specihcation for Fireworks, Part 3 Methods of Test for Fireworks (BSI Sales Dept, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6SL, UK). 

While compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations, the net effect to the consumer or spectator has been a reassuring increase in the standard of safety of both the fireworks and the people responsible for them. The current trend towards organised displays has not been at the expense of the availability of garden or indoor fireworks, however, and the increasing legislation is mainly the concern of those in the industry who are involved with the importation, manufacture, retail or safe operation of fireworks. 

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