In the United States, there are three general types of fireworks, Consumer Fireworks, Display Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Special Effects (SPFX). For a more detailed breakdown, see the Definitions.
Consumer Fireworks
are all those fireworks that meet the requirements of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). These can be sold to and used by the general public in those states that permit them (See What is Legal).These types must meet the CPSC requirements for size, weight, composition and configuration as well as fuse burn time and other factors. CPSC Consumer Fireworks are usually classified for transportation purposes as UN 0336, Fireworks 1.4g (the old Class C) and were formerly known as common fireworks.
The majority of consumer fireworks are made in China, although some are still made in America.
The laws for sale and use vary from state to state and often county to county and even city to city. Generally the New England states, except for New Hampshire and Maine, most of the large and medium cities have more restrictive laws than others. Arizona, Minnesota and Georgia are the only other states to ban all Consumer Fireworks for sale and use by the general public.
Any adult can buy and use all the various types of CPSC at any time of the year in all 50 states with the proper licenses and/or permits. In some places these are simple and easy to obtain while in others, they are difficult and expensive to obtain. Many officials don't always know they can issue permits since they've been so accustomed to saying "No" or declaring them "illegal". See How to get a Permit for more info on this.
Only 10 states ban all types of CPSC Consumer Fireworks now. In 40 states you can buy and use some or all CPSC Consumer Fireworks without a license or permit. Many states allow what are called Safe & Sane fireworks (which implies there are Unsafe & Insane which is absurd) and these are generally sparklers, cones, fountains, and novelties that don't go bang or move through the air. Other states allow some or all types including roman candles, multiple tube fireworks, firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, wheels, spinners, and all the other types. See What is Legal around the country and
Some states limit the dates they can be sold or used to their residents to around the 4th of July and New Years, while others have no time limits. Some cities and counties within these states can also have time, type or use restrictions.
South Carolina, Missouri, North Dakota and a few others have outlets that are open year-round and people come from all around come to buy what their own states have told them they can't have. (Reminds me of when Wisconsin and Minnesota banned the sale of margarine and everyone drove down to Iowa so they could spread solidified, salted and colored corn oil called margarine instead of solidified and salted butter fat on their toast!).
You can also finds outlets in states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Nevada, Ohio, Louisiana and others where you can buy most or all types of fireworks as long as you are an out of state resident. Most of these outlets are on the main interstate highways, near popular resorts and especially near the borders (imagine that!).
If you can't or won't drive across a border or two to get what you want, it can sometimes be shipped to you. They can only be shipped via common carrier or courier but can't be sent by UPS anymore (UPS still carries pyrotechnics, it just won't carry Consumer Fireworks....). That usually means some volume is required and it is not unusual for the freight to cost as much or more than the fireworks. It also means it is up to you to obtain whatever state and/or local licenses or permits may be required.
Generally speaking, even in states or areas where fireworks are banned or restricted, adults can usually use them with no problems as long as you don't do so with the local constabulary around. Or they are in neighborhoods where there are zealots who call 911 whenever a car backfires, in the middle of the night, in crowds of people like at a parade or fireworks display, or when there are drought conditions. If used properly, with the right precautions and with family, friends and neighbors involved, very few will complain.
Some places, especially in the northeast, have block parties where everyone in the neighborhood goes out and has a good old time shooting off the fireworks they all obtained in their travels. Other people have their fireworks at family reunions out in the country or on the lake or at the beach where everyone pretty much leaves everyone alone.
For the most comprehensive list of CPSC Consumer Fireworks outlets in the United States, as well as tips on how to buy, how to use safely, what the laws are in your state, you can get the Fireworks Dealers of the USA from Burning Sage Publications.
Display fireworks were formerly known as special fireworks in the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) terminology. For transportation purposes they are usually classified as UN 0335, Fireworks 1.3g (the old Class B) although many such as lance, gerbs, fountains are also UN 0336 Fireworks, 1.4g.
Display fireworks require licenses and/or permits (state and/or local plus federal if in interstate commerce) to purchase and use. You can purchase from an instate supplier to use display fireworks in your state with a state license and/or permit. You can also purchase from an out-of-state supplier to use display fireworks in your state with a state license and/or permit and an ATF user permit (permanent Type 4 magazine required) or a limited-user permit (one time use only) with a limited user permit needed for each out of state supplier you purchase from.
ATF limited-user permits take a few weeks to process so if you want it for the 4th of July and it usually needs to be shipped by June 10 to reach you, don't wait! The basic requirements are spelled out in the ATF Explosives Laws & Regulations "Orange Book" [ATF P 5400.7 (6/90)] but it is now very much out of date. The forms you'll need for a User Permit as well as most other explosives licenses is an Application for License or Permit [ATF 5400.13/5400.16 (3/90)] or Application/Permit User Limited Special Fireworks [ATF F 5400.21 (8/89)]. To get them, write to: ATF Distribution Center, 7943-45 Angus Ct., Springfield, VA 22153
It is also wise to get training and experience before display fireworks too. One way to do that is to try to learn who does displays in your area, contact them and see if they would like some extra help and be willing to train someone. Usually you have to show you are a good worker and reliable so expect to unload trucks, dig holes, haul sand, and the like before you get a chance to handle live materials.
Another way is to join some of the organizations that are out there and make contacts and gain some experience. The Pyrotechnics Guild International (PGI) has some excellent info. Even more important they offer a great training program every year at their annual convention.
Pyrotechnic Special Effects (SPFX)
are all those fireworks that are designed and manufactured for use in theatrical, musical, stunt or other performances generally either indoors or in close proximity to the audience. They are also used in television and movie productions where their precision in color, effects, and timing are required.There are two different types of SPFX, preloads and binary systems.
Preloads resemble consumer fireworks in the their construction, composition and size, except they are made to far more exacting specifications so their performances is very consistent and precise. This makes them far more expensive than consumer fireworks. Gerbs, fountains, saxons, flame projectors, flash pots, sparkle pots, confetti canisters, etc. are all different types of preloads. They are not labeled for the consumer market. For transportation purposes they are usually classified as UN 0432 Articles, Pyrotechnic, 1.4g.
Binary systems are simply a premeasured oxidizer and fuel are shipped in two separate containers. These are then mixed together on-site to make 1 ounce of theatrical flash powder and then loaded into flash pots, sparkle pots or made into airbursts for that performance. An ATF Type 19 License is required to mix theatrical flash powder.
SPFX are electrically ignited and many have the electric match installed at the factory. Most are manufactured in the United States and Europe.
SPFX require licenses and/or permits (state and/or local plus federal if in interstate commerce) to purchase and use. In some states there are separate licenses for SPFX operators. Generally local fire officials are very strict about the use of SPFX indoors or in front of an audience.
Whatever you do take your time, do some research and don't assume there is only one way to do things. Display fireworks are energetic materials and are very unforgiving to the ignorant!
For display fireworks and SPFX sources, get the AFN Fireworks Buyer's Guide & Trade Directory for US listings and the AFN International Trade Directory for international listings.
American Fireworks News (AFN) and Fireworks Business are the monthly newsletters that are best to keep up with what is happening if you are really into fireworks.
© July 1998, pyro-pages.com, inc. ™
, La Crosse, WI USA. All rights reserved worldwide.Revised July 17, 1998