As with all explosive devices there are controlled measures to insure safety and classifications are used to enforce these safety measures. In the UK there are four classifications for fireworks. Category 1 which are for use in indoor areas and small outside venues. Category 2 which are garden fireworks, these have a restriction of at least 5 meters for viewing them and must not scatter material further than 3 meters after explosion. Category 3 which are display fireworks and cannot be viewed closer than 25 meters and must not scatter material after explosion more than 50 meters. Category 4 which are the professional fireworks in which the organiser must hold a license to use.
There can be a stunning spectrum of colours created by fireworks which is the result of using differing chemical compounds; these are known as ‘Pyrotechnic Stars’ or just ‘Stars’. These stars compose of a fuel to create the combustibility of the firework, an oxidizer which will usually produce oxygen needed to help the firework burn, a binder which holds the chemical pellets together, a chlorine donor which helps strengthen the colour and a colour producing chemical. Compounds used for these colour effects include Strontium and Lithium to create red, Calcium to create orange, Barium to create green, Copper halides to create blue and Potassium to create purple. The Brightest ‘Stars’ are created using Aluminum and are named ‘Mag Stars’ for their impressive effect!
There can be a stunning spectrum of colours created by fireworks which is the result of using differing chemical compounds; these are known as ‘Pyrotechnic Stars’ or just ‘Stars’. These stars compose of a fuel to create the combustibility of the firework, an oxidizer which will usually produce oxygen needed to help the firework burn, a binder which holds the chemical pellets together, a chlorine donor which helps strengthen the colour and a colour producing chemical. Compounds used for these colour effects include Strontium and Lithium to create red, Calcium to create orange, Barium to create green, Copper halides to create blue and Potassium to create purple. The Brightest ‘Stars’ are created using Aluminum and are named ‘Mag Stars’ for their impressive effect!