It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Fireworks. (Discuss)

Fourth of July fireworks in San Diego, California

New Year's Day fireworks at Seaport Village, California

Preparing fireworks at Sayn Castle

4th of July fireworks in Portland, Oregon

Fireworks at Epcot Center, Florida, USA. See the Video.

A firework is classified as a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. The most common use of a firework is as part of a fireworks display. Image File history File links Merge-arrow. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (768x1024, 143 KB) Summary Sand Diego Fireworks Download from http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (768x1024, 143 KB) Summary Sand Diego Fireworks Download from http://www. ... Fourth of July redirects here. ... “San Diego” redirects here. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 111 KB)New Years - December 31, 2002 New years 2002 at Seaport Village. ... Download high resolution version (1024x768, 111 KB)New Years - December 31, 2002 New years 2002 at Seaport Village. ... This article is about January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ... Seaport Village in San Diego, California, is an artificial Village that is designed to capture the spirit of a traditional seaport village. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1329 KB) Summary Preparing a firework at Sayn Castle Own Photography (Klaus Graf) 03. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 1329 KB) Summary Preparing a firework at Sayn Castle Own Photography (Klaus Graf) 03. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 369 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1946 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 369 × 598 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1946 pixel, file size: 1. ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Preparing C-4 explosive This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Pyrotechnics is a field of study often thought synonymous with the manufacture of fireworks, but more accurately it has a wider scope that includes items for military and industrial uses. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ...

Fireworks (devices) take many forms to produce the four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floating materials (confetti for example). They may be designed to burn with colored flames and sparks. Displays are common throughout the world and are the focal point of many different cultural and religious celebrations. Small boy trying to catch confetti at Folk Festival in Namur, Belgium. ... A celebration is a joyous observation on the occasion of a special event: - Personal Level birth, etc. ...

Fireworks were originally invented by the Chinese, for entertainment purposes, as a natural extension of the Chinese invention of gunpowder. In China, they were first made by firework masters who were well-respected for their knowledge of the many complex techniques used to create truly dazzling firework displays. Such important events and festivities as New Year's and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival were and still are times when fireworks are guaranteed sights.

Fireworks are generally classified as to where they perform, either as a ground or aerial firework. In the latter case they may provide their own propulsion (skyrocket) or be shot into the air by a mortar (aerial shell). Air propulsion is the act of moving an object through the air. ... A skyrocket is a type of firework that uses a solid rocket motor to rise quickly into the sky. ... US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ... KA- BOOM! ...

The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or pasteboard tube or casing filled with the combustible material, often pyrotechnic stars. A number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to make, when kindled, a great variety of sparkling shapes, often variously colored. The skyrocket is a common form of firework, although the first skyrockets were used in war. The aerial shell, however, is the backbone of today's commercial aerial display, and a smaller version for consumer use is known as the festival ball in the United States. Such rocket technology has also been used for the delivery of mail by rocket and is used as propoulsion for most model rockets. This article is about the chemical reaction combustion. ... Pyrotechnic stars are pellets or simply pieces of pyrotechnic composition which may contain metal powders, salts or other compounds that, when ignited, burn a certain colour or exude a spark effect. ... For other uses, see War (disambiguation). ... This article is about vehicles powered by rocket engines. ... A Regulus cruise missile was used for one attempt to deliver mail. ... A model rocket launching Model rocketry is a hobby similar to building model airplanes, where rocket-shaped models are flown vertically and recovered by a variety of means (see Recovery below). ...

Improper use of fireworks may be dangerous, both to the person operating them (risks of burns and wounds) and to bystanders; in addition, they may start a fire if landing on flammable material. For this reason, the use of fireworks is generally legally restricted. In the United States, fireworks are classified as either consumer or display fireworks based upon the amount of pyrotechnic composition an item contains. Display fireworks are restricted by law for use by professionals. Consumer items are available to the public and are smaller versions containing limited amounts of material to reduce potential dangers. For other uses, see Burn. ... Superficial bullet wounds In medicine, a wound is a type of physical trauma wherein the skin is torn, cut or punctured (an open wound), or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion (a closed wound). ... Flammable or Flammability refers to the ease at which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. ... A professional does something as a profession, or receives payment for some activity. ...

Fireworks classifications in the United States

The United States government has classified fireworks and similar devices according to their potential hazards.

Previous US Department of Transportation (DOT) explosives classifications

Explosives, including fireworks, were previously divided into four classifications for transportation purposes by the DOT. The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is a Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with transport. ...

• Class A explosives included high explosives such as dynamite, TNT, blasting caps, packages of flash powder, bulk packages of black powder and blasting agents such as ANFO and other slurry types of explosives.
• Class B explosives included low explosives such packages of flash powder and "special" fireworks" which were the larger and more powerful fireworks used at most public displays.
• Class C explosives included other low explosives such as igniters, fuses and "common fireworks", which were the smaller and less powerful fireworks available for sale to and use by the general public.

At the time most purchases and use of all of these explosives, with specific exceptions for high explosives purchased and used in state, black powder used for sporting purposes and common fireworks, required either a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms {previous name for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)} license or permit to purchase and use, and/or a state or local license or permit to purchase and use. This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... Dynamite is an explosive based on the explosive potential of nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr) as an adsorbent. ... R-phrases S-phrases Related Compounds Related compounds picric acid hexanitrobenzene Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a chemical compound with the formula C6H2(NO2)3CH3. ... Class B blasting caps A blasting cap is a small explosive device generally used to detonate a larger, more powerful explosive such as dynamite. ... Flash powder is a mixture of oxidizer and metallic fuel which burns quickly and if confined will produce a loud report. ... Black powder was the original gunpowder and practically the only known propellant and explosive until the middle of the 19th century. ... ANFO stands for ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (most often diesel fuel, sometimes kerosene or even molasses). ... A low explosive is a combustible substance that decomposes rapidly (deflagration), but doesnt explode under normal conditions. ... Flash powder is a mixture of oxidizer and metallic fuel which burns quickly and if confined will produce a loud report. ... A low explosive is a combustible substance that decomposes rapidly (deflagration), but doesnt explode under normal conditions. ... ATF Seal The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (abbreviated ATF, sometimes BATF or BATFE) is a United States federal agency; more specifically a specialized law enforcement and regulatory organization within the United States Department of Justice. ...

New explosives classes

The U.S. government now uses the United Nations explosives shipping classification system. This new system is based on hazard in shipping only, vs. the old USA system of both shipping and use hazards. The BATF and most states performed a direct substitution of Shipping Class 1.3 for Class B, and Shipping Class 1.4 for Class C. This allows some hazardous items that would have previously been classified as Class B and regulated to be classified as Shipping Class 1.4 due to some packaging method that confines any explosion to the package. Being Shipping Class 1.4, they can now be sold to the general public and are unregulated by the BATF. UN and U.N. redirect here. ... The U.S. government now uses the United Nations explosives shipping classification system. ... The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE or ATFE) is a law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. ...

A code number and suffix (such as 1.3G) is not enough to fully describe a material and how it is regulated, especially in Shipping Class 1.4G. It also must have a UN Number that exactly describes the material. For example, common consumer fireworks are UN336, or Shipping Class 1.4G UN336.

Here are some common fireworks classes:

• Class 1.1G (Mass Explosion Possible:Pyrotechnics) UN0094 Flashpowder
• Class 1.1G (Mass Explosion Possible:Pyrotechnics) UN0333 Fireworks (Salutes in bulk or in manufacture)
• Class 1.2G (Projection but not mass explosion:Pyrotechnics) UN0334 Fireworks (Rarely used)
• Class 1.3G (Fire, Minor Blast:Pyrotechnics) UN0335 Fireworks (Most Display Fireworks)
• Class 1.4G (Minor Explosion Hazard Confined To Package:Pyrotechnics) UN0336 Fireworks (Consumer or Common Fireworks)
• Class 1.4S (Minor Explosion Hazard Confined To Package: Packed As To Not Hinder Nearby Firefighters) UN0336 Fireworks (Consumer or Common Fireworks)
• Class 1.4G (Minor Explosion Hazard Confined To Package:Pyrotechnics) UN0431 ARTICLES, PYROTECHNIC for technical purposes (Proximate Pyrotechnics)
• Class 1.4S (Minor Explosion Hazard Confined To Package: Packed As To Not Hinder Nearby Firefighters) UN0432 ARTICLES, PYROTECHNIC for technical purposes (Proximate Pyrotechnics)

Fireworks tubes are made by rolling thick paper tightly around a former, such as a dowel. They can be made by hand, most firework factories use machinery to manufacture tubes. Whenever tubes are used in fireworks, at least one end is always plugged with clay to keep both chemicals and burning gases from escaping through that end. The tooling is always made of non-sparking materials such as aluminium or brass. Experts at handling explosives, called pyrotechnicians, add chemicals for special effects.

British fireworks classification

Main article: British firework classification

Britain has its own system of classifying fireworks. British law classifies fireworks into four categories, listed in BS 7114: Category 1 (indoor) fireworks are for use in extremely restricted areas. ...

• Category 1 - indoor fireworks, for use in small areas.

• Category 2 - garden fireworks; must be safely viewable from 5 meters and must not scatter debris for 3 meters.

• Category 3 - display fireworks; must be safely viewable from 25 meters and must not scatter debris for 50 meters.

• Category 4 - professional fireworks; these require a license to use.

Pyrotechnic compounds

Copper compounds glow green or blue-green in a flame.

Main article: Pyrotechnic star

Colors in fireworks are usually generated by pyrotechnic stars–usually just called stars–which produce intense light when ignited. Stars contain five basic types of ingredients. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x2500, 242 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Flame test ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x2500, 242 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Flame test ... For other uses, see Copper (disambiguation). ... Pyrotechnic stars are pellets or simply pieces of pyrotechnic composition which may contain metal powders, salts or other compounds that, when ignited, burn a certain colour or exude a spark effect. ...

• A fuel which allows the star to burn
• An oxidizer—a compound which produces (usually) oxygen to support the combustion of the fuel
• Color-producing chemicals
• A binder which holds the pellet together.
• A Chlorine Donor which provides chlorine to strengthen the color of the flame. Some times the oxidizer can serve this purpose.

Some of the more common color-producing compounds are tabulated here. The color of a compound in a firework will be the same as its color in a flame test (shown at right). Not all compounds that produce a colored flame are appropriate for coloring fireworks, however. Ideal colorants will produce a pure, intense color when present in moderate concentration. The flame test carried out on a copper halide. ...

The brightest stars, often called Mag Stars, are actually fueled by Aluminum. Magnesium is rarely used in the Fireworks Industry due to its lack of ability to easily form a protective oxide layer. Often an alloy of both metals called Magnalium is used. R-phrases S-phrases , , Related Compounds Other anions calcium fluoride calcium bromide calcium iodide Other cations magnesium chloride strontium chloride Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Made of Porn and sex things Inhalation respiratory irritation Skin May cause irritation. ... Barium chloride is the chemical compound with the formula BaCl2. ... A halide is a binary compound, of which one part is a halogen atom and the other part is an element or radical that is less electronegative than the halogen, to make a fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, or astatide compound. ... Copper forms two stable chlorides: Copper(I) chloride (cuprous chloride), CuCl, mineral name nantokite. ... R-phrases   S-phrases   Supplementary data page Structure and properties n, εr, etc. ... Charcoal is the blackish residue consisting of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. ... Soot, also called lampblack or carbon black, is a dark powdery deposit of unburned fuel residues, usually composed mainly of amorphous carbon, that accumulates in chimneys, automobile mufflers and other surfaces exposed to smoke—especially from the combustion of carbon-rich organic fuels in the lack of sufficient oxygen. ... General Name, symbol, number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 47. ... Aluminum redirects here. ... General Name, symbol, number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, period, block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white solid at room temp Standard atomic weight 24. ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... General Name, symbol, number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, period, block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white solid at room temp Standard atomic weight 24. ...

Types of effects

Peony

A spherical break of colored stars. The peony is the most commonly seen shell type.

Chrysanthemum

A spherical break of colored stars, similar to a peony, but with stars that leave a visible trail of sparks.

Dahlia

Essentially the same as a peony shell, but with fewer and larger stars. These stars travel a longer-than-usual distance from the shell break before burning out. For instance, if a 3" peony shell is made with a star size designed for a 6" shell, it is then considered a dahlia. Some dahlia shells are cylindrical rather than spherical to allow for larger stars.

Willow

Similar to a chrysanthemum, but with long-burning silver or gold stars that produce a soft, dome-shaped weeping willow-like effect.

Palm

A collection of palm-shell fireworks illuminating the beach of Tybee Island, Georgia

A shell containing a relative few large comet stars arranged in such a way as to burst with large arms or tendrils, producing a palm tree-like effect. Proper palm shells feature a thick rising tail that displays as the shell ascends, thereby simulating the tree trunk to further enhance the "palm tree" effect. One might also see a burst of color inside the palm burst (given by a small insert shell) to simulate coconuts. Image File history File linksMetadata Tybee_island_georgia_july_4_fireworks. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Tybee_island_georgia_july_4_fireworks. ... Tybee Island is an island and a present-day city in Chatham County, Georgia near the city of Savannah. ... In pyrotechnics a comet is a block attached to the outside of a shell or launched freely, which burns and emits sparks as the shell is rising, leaving a trail in the sky. ...

Ring

A shell with stars specially arranged so as to create a ring. Variations include smiley faces, hearts, and clovers.

Ravenclaw's Diadem

A type of Peony or Chrysanthemum with a center cluster of non-moving stars, normally of a contrasting color or effect. The name comes from the Latin word for "jewel".

Kamuro

A typical kamuro effect

A dense burst of glittering silver or gold stars which leave a heavy glitter trail. The name refers to a common Japanese hairstyle. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 282 KB) Artillery shells from consumer fireworks produce spectacular effects from a unique perspective - underneath them. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 282 KB) Artillery shells from consumer fireworks produce spectacular effects from a unique perspective - underneath them. ...

Crossette

A shell containing several large stars that travel a short distance before breaking apart into smaller stars with a loud crackling sound, creating a crisscrossing grid-like effect. Once limited to silver or gold effects, colored crossettes such as red, green, or white are now very common.

Spider

A shell containing a fast burning tailed or charcoal star that is burst very hard so that the stars travel in a straight and flat trajectory before burning out. This appears in the sky as a series of radial lines much like the legs of a spider.

A typical spider effect

Another typical spider effect

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 488 KB) A spider artillery shell effect from almost directly underneath. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2272x1704, 488 KB) A spider artillery shell effect from almost directly underneath. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ...

Horsetail

Named for the shape of its break, this shell features heavy long-burning tailed stars that only travel a short distance from the shell burst before free-falling to the ground. Also known as a waterfall shell. Sometimes there is a glittering through the "waterfall."

Time Rain

An effect created by large, slow-burning stars within a shell that leave a trail of large glittering sparks behind and make a very loud sizzling noise. The "time" refers to the fact that these stars burn away gradually, as opposed to the standard brocade "rain" effect where a large amount of glitter material is released at once.

Multi-Break shells

A large shell containing several smaller shells of various sizes and types. The initial burst scatters the shells across the sky before they explode. Also called a bouquet shell. When a shell contains smaller shells of the same size and type, the effect is usually referred to as "Thousands". Very large bouquet shells (up to 48 inches) are frequently used in Japan.

Fish

Large inserts that propel themselves rapidly away from the shell burst, often looking like fish swimming away.

Salute

Main article: Salute (pyrotechnics)

A shell containing a large quantity of flash powder rather than stars, producing a quick flash followed by a very loud report. Titanium may be added to the flash powder mix to produce a cloud of bright sparks around the flash. Salutes are commonly used in large quantities during finales to create intense noise and brightness. They are often cylindrical in shape to allow for a larger payload of flash powder, but ball shapes are common and cheaper as well. Salutes are also called Maroons. In pyrotechnics a salute is a device primarily designed to make a loud report (bang), rather than have a visual effect. ... Flash powder is a mixture of oxidizer and metallic fuel which burns quickly and if confined will produce a loud report. ...

Lampare

A shell containing a burst charge of flash powder that sits above a container of liquid fuel, usually diesel fuel or kerosene, to produce a fireball in the sky. Flash powder is a mixture of oxidizer and metallic fuel which burns quickly and if confined will produce a loud report. ...

Mine

A mine (aka. pot-au-′feu) is a ground firework that expels stars and/or other garnitures into the sky. Shot from a mortar like a shell, a mine consists of a canister with the lift charge on the bottom with the effects placed on top. Mines can project small reports, serpents, small shells, as well as just stars. Although mines up to 12 inches in diameter appear on occasion, they are usually between 3 and 5 inches in diameter.

Roman Candle

Main article: Roman Candle

A Roman candle is a long tube containing several large stars which fire intermittently at a regular interval. These are commonly arranged in fan shapes or crisscrossing shapes, at a closer proximity to the audience. Some larger Roman candles contain small shells (bombettes) rather than stars. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Cake

Main article: Cake (firework)

A cake is a cluster of small tubes linked by fuse, that fire small aerial effects at a rapid pace. Tube diameters can range in size from ¼ inch to 4 inches, and can sometimes have over 1,000 shots. These are often used in large quantities as part of a show's finale. The variety of effects within individual cakes is often such that they defy descriptive titles and are instead given cryptic names such as "Bermuda Triangle", "Pyro Glyphics", "Waco Wakeup", and "Poisonous Spider", to name a few. Others are simply quantities of 2.5"-4" shells fused together in single-shot tubes. A cake firework, also known as a candle barrage is a firework comprising a series of roman candles connected together. ... In an explosive, pyrotechnic device or military munition, a fuse (or fuze) is the part of the device that initiates function. ... NASA image of the western Atlantic, showing the popular borders of the Bermuda Triangle. ...

World Pyro Olympics

The World Pyro Olympics in Manila is an annual international competition amongst the most prestigious fireworks companies in the world. The event is the largest and most intense international fireworks competition worldwide. The World Pyro Olympics is an annual competition amongst the most prestigious fireworks companies in the world. ... Nickname: Motto: Linisin Ikarangal Maynila Map of Metro Manila showing the location of Manila Coordinates: 14°35 N 121° E Country Region Districts 1st to 6th districts of Manila Barangays 897 Incorporated (city) June 10, 1574 Government  - Mayor Alfredo Lim (2007-2010; GO)  - Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (AM/PDP-Laban...

Uses other than public displays

Main article: consumer fireworks

Consumer fireworks are fireworks the general public can buy. They typically involve using a punk to light them with and have less explosive power than professional fireworks, but can still produce a decent show. Some examples of consumer fireworks are firecrackers, rockets, and smoke balls. Consumer fireworks are fireworks sold to the general public for use. ... Firework punks A punk is a stick used for lighting firework fuses. ...

Fireworks can also be used in an agricultural capacity as bird scarers. A typical propane gas gun bird scarer. ...

Environmental impact

Some fisherman have noticed and reported to environmental authorities that firework residues can hurt fish and other waterlife because some may contain toxic compounds such as antimony sulphide. This is a subject of much debate due to the fact that large-scale pollution from other sources makes it difficult to measure the amount of pollution that comes specifically from fireworks. This article is about the element. ...

Fireworks politics

Different countries have different views on fireworks.

United States

Fireworks have been a subject of debate in the United States. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission defines what fireworks may be sold to the public; states, counties, and cities may further limit them^{[citation needed]}. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government created in 1972 through the Consumer Safety Act to protect “against unreasonable risks of injuries associated with consumer products”. As of 2006 its acting chairman is Nancy Nord, a Republican. ...

Supporters of banning fireworks cite the potential dangers, but hobbyists claim that fireworks may be used safely given appropriate precautions^{[attribution needed]}. Hobbyists also cite that fireworks injuries are among the least common in the United States^{[citation needed]}. The media have also been criticized by hobbyists for exaggerating the dangers of fireworks (for example, fireworks are often incorrectly seen as high explosives that can level an entire block^{[attribution needed]}).

See also

Look up firework in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Flame test
• Fireworks
• Solid-fuel rocket

Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... The flame test carried out on a copper halide. ... For other uses, see Fireworks (disambiguation). ... The Space Shuttle Columbia is initially launched with the help of solid-fuel boosters A solid rocket or a solid fuel rocket is a rocket with a motor that uses solid propellants (fuel/oxidizer). ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Firework

• How Fireworks work
• The Pyrotechnics Guild International, an independent worldwide nonprofit organization of amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts.
• Illegal Explosive Devices
• About.com The Chemistry of Firework Colors