National Campaign for Firework Safety, Noisy Fireworks Survey

National Campaign for Firework Safety
Our aim is to promote the safe use of fireworks

Noisy Fireworks 2002

SURVEY OF FIREWORK SUPPLIERS ON THE INTERNET SELLING OVER
361 FIREWORK PRODUCTS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The National Campaign for Firework Safety have produced a major survey of firework suppliers selling a huge range of fireworks on the Internet. Of the 90 companies who now sell fireworks, many have never handled explosives before.

This is the most important survey that has been carried out for 20 years since we looked at the International Firework situation. Everyone reading this survey will be shocked by the hundreds of fireworks available through the Internet.

In 1997, the Government banned a number of fireworks, including some in the highest category in BS7114, category 4, which had previously been available. Among the firework banned in 1997 were, Aerial Shells and Maroons, Maroons in Shells, Maroons in Mortar, Bangers in all categories, & Mini Rockets and fireworks of erratic flight.

However, the Government allowed the firework industry to drive a coach and horses through their own regulations, by asking for dispensations from prohibitions. As a result, all the fireworks banned in 1997, were available in large qualities in 2001, and are still available, even down to the category 2 Banger, (750,000 found in a warehouse in one area alone) The Police and Trading Standards have said continually for 30 years that firework laws, as they now stand, are unenforceable.

Fireworks are now heard all of the year. Shops, who go against the industry's voluntary agreement, which is to sell fireworks three weeks before November 5 and a few days after, and a similar time for New Year's Eve, now sell to anyone, anytime. Last year the DTI admitted most firework problems were caused because of the retail sales of fireworks. The Minister for Consumer Affairs said she had received representations from over 337 MPs calling for new legislation on fireworks.

More and more of our members have voiced their concern over the 'loudness' of fireworks. Many of the readers letters in the newspapers, regarding fireworks, have said much the same, 'why do they have to be so loud'. It was this that caused me to ask for the survey to be carried out. In my contacts with the firework industry when the subject of noisy fireworks came up, I was told it was only a handful of fireworks involved.

The National Campaign for Firework Safety, was set up in 1969 to deal with all problems relating to fireworks. Injuries and fatalities not only to young children and teenagers, but to animals as well. Tens of thousands of injured children are now disabled adults. Not a penny in compensation has ever been paid to the people who have always been told by all Governments, it was okay to handle fireworks provided they followed the "firework code".

This is one of the most neglected subjects because of the "British Tradition" aspects of the problem. The Government is now looking at "what can be done" but their approach is not radical enough.

NOEL TOBIN - DIRECTOR NCFS
June 2002

Noisy Fireworks Survey

The National Campaign for Firework Safety carried out a survey on the selling of fireworks on the internet, with specific regard to the noise fireworks make.
Almost everyone agrees that firework noise is a serious issue.

The Scottish SPCA carried out a survey of vets in Scotland, called 'Fireworks and Animals'. It estimated that as many as 80,000 animals in Scotland were affected by fireworks.

The 'Banger' was banned in the UK because of its appeal was to the rowdier element who used the banger to cause nuisance. The Firework industry responded by introducing more and more fireworks, each one becoming more and more powerful than the one before. The noise got louder and louder. The Firework Industry are now going to withdraw the 'Airbomb' for the same reason that the 'banger' was banned. The time has come for all fireworks to be viewed by the level of noise it makes.

One firework supplier boasts his firework can be heard five miles away, (Supplier A)
The same supplier sells fireworks under the title of 'Midnight Mayhem'.

The survey has shown that all fireworks, apart from a few in category 1 of BS7114, are capable of being exploited by the firework industry, because of its capacity to make noise.

Many elderly people fondly remember the days of their youth when they collected for the 'bonfire', and stood outside the local pub with their guy, hoping for a penny. Then came November 5th, and if it was a school day, hurrying home, downing your tea and then go and sit by the 'bonfire'. At around six or seven o'clock, the parents would light the bonfire, and begin to roast potatoes. Fathers would proudly produce the box of fireworks, and then one by one the fireworks would be set off, until the last firework illuminated the sky. Then the children would run around to another 'bonfire' to see someone else's fireworks. Or the family would hold its own firework show in the back garden, father tightly holding the box of fireworks, until the last one was used. At around eight or nine o'clock one would go to bed, and there watch, from the bedroom window, the surges of rockets and the last glows of the bonfires throughout the district. By ten o'clock at night Bonfire Night was over for another year. Animals were brought out of their hiding hole and comforted.
It was a special time. It was one night of the year.
Sadly this is not the case anymore.

A lot of people say that the tradition of Guy Fawkes night should be retained, because it was special to them. "It was a special night. It was one night, it was harmless fun. If only the youth of today could enjoy 'bonfire night' as we did.", a phrase I have often heard. That time has gone, a lot of the dangers caused by fireworks were unknown.

Fireworks were a lot less powerful then, you were very unlucky if you were seriously injured by a firework. But times have changed. The attitudes towards fireworks and Bonfire Night has changed out of all proportion to those days gone by, and if we are to keep it, and if we want to keep it special, then we have to make changes.

In the main the largest complaint against fireworks after the injuries and fatalities it causes, is noise.

The noise not only affects domestic and wild animals alike, as the Scottish SPCA has proved, but it affects people as well. The elderly, lying in their beds terrified, the sick wondering when it will all quieten down so they can rest. The nervous, having their nerves shattered by the constant bombardment, believing that the noise is guns or bombs, cannot believe that they are fireworks, because fireworks were never that loud. Young children frightened out of their wits by the ceaseless barrage of noise.
And all in the name of fun.

The firework industry, if the industry is to survive, must take the noise issue very seriously. They must take the lead and set noise levels for all fireworks. It is they who have aggressively marketed fireworks purely on the basis of Bangs, Whistles, Screeches, and More Bangs, Louder Bangs and bangs that can be 'heard five miles away'. 'Bangs to awaken the dead'. This is the unacceptable face of the Firework Industry.
This is your industry. Shame, shame, shame on you all.

We are issuing this survey in three editions, so those who actually get pleasure out of spreading fear and terror amongst others in our society shall not gain from this survey.

Edition 1. Will contain all the information the researcher has gathered.
Copies of this edition may not be photocopied.

Edition 2. Will be a censored version of edition 1. Copies of this edition may be photocopied, and distributed freely. Indeed it is this copy that will be on the website of The National Campaign for Firework Safety www.cgsystems.co.uk/ncfs/index.html.

Copies of Edition 1, will only be made available by writing to,

The Director,
National Campaign for Firework Safety,
118 Long Acre
London
WC2 E99

The Director will distribute copies at his discretion.

Supplier (A)

Surveyed 122 fireworks

'Make it go with a real BANG!!!' is this company's slogan.
His display pack of '*******' Includes
25 SHOT ***** colours, crackles & bangs galore
61 SHOT ***** barrages of rapid fire into the night skies
61 SHOT ***** reports crackles to exploding comets
36 SHOT ***** 36 shots stars, crackles and bangs
36 SHOT ***** 36 shots of whizzes and bangs
19 SHOT ***** 19 shots to its peak of bangs & crackles
**** ROCKET a German super cascading rocket with a titanium bang
***** ROCKET the awakening for any display!!

crackles & bangs galore
barrages of rapid fire into the night skies
36 shots of whizzes and bangs
the awakening for any display!!
a titanium bang

The same supplier suggests twilight as the time to set his '********' which includes much the same as his ****** Kit and some more,
25 SHOT **** ejecting multiples of colours, crackles and whizzes
25 SHOT **** have your pace makers ready!
36 SHOT ***** CAKE a success last year - ejecting noise, colour & crackles
36 SHOT ***** CAKE a barrage of dragon's eggs howling whirls
19 SHOT ***** CAKE a superb double effect cake with reports
102 SHOT **** CAKE 102 shots of star wars fighting each other
**** ROCKET a German super cascading rocket

have your pace makers ready!
a superb double effect cake with reports
102 shots of star wars fighting each other

Their expensive Kit includes many of the above as well as the following:-
2 X 2 STAGE ***** double performance fountain and giant eruption
2 X 25 SHOT ***** not for the weak hearted!
2 X 25 SHOT ***** colours, stars and air bombs
2 X 49 SHOT ***** colours, crackles and air bombs
2 X 25 SHOT ***** coloured burst and air bombs
2 X 100 SHOT **** single ignition, coloured stars, whistles and reports
2 X 100 SHOT **** guaranteed to upset your neighbours!
1 X 100 SHOT **** a winner for 2000, everything you can imagine!
2 X 36 SHOT ***** 36 shots - stars crackles and bangs
2 X 150 SHOT **** single ignition of everything you can imagine!
2 X 200 SHOT **** flash, crackle and bang - true build up to the finale
2 X 200 SHOT **** 200 white pearls that burst with noise
2 X 200 SHOT **** 200 squealing coloured fireballs into the night skies
2 X 100 ********* the biggest, meanest battery of loud bangs
2 X ****** 37 big shots of colour and noise, an extraordinary illusion
2 X 60 SHOT **** powerful battery of air bombs and comets
1 X ****** 112 madness - nuclear holocaust
********* full of colour and bangs!(!)! As name suggests
******* ROCKET an awakening for the dead!
****WITH NOISE a fabulous range of multi effects
********* a fabulous range of multi effects
3 X **** ROCKET large red bursts to silver tracer comets - double effect
******* ROCKET an awakening for the dead!
******* ROCKET shellburst rocket with silver tails, with a report
******* ROCKET loud report
******* ROCKET starburst rocket
******* ROCKET amazing new effects to a spider starburst
2 X * Assorted ROCKET super starburst rocket with a loud burst!
******* ROCKET a super canopy of assorted shellbursts
2 X **** ROCKET 2 tier rocket, superb double effect with LOUD report!
2 X **** ROCKET giant crackling silver burst to changing whistle snakes
2 X ****** a colossal burst with a report of various colours
2 X LARGE DISPLAY ROCKETS

"Enormous bangs guaranteed ......"

Enormous Bangs Indeed.
'Nuclear Holocaust'
'Awakening for the Dead'
'Powerful Battery of Air Bombs'
'LOUD Report'
'the biggest, meanest battery of loud bangs', and there is two of them.
'not for the weak hearted!'
'guaranteed to upset your neighbours'
'assorted shellbursts'

This Kit Contains:
2 x 36 SHOT **** 36 shots of clustering crackles and colours
2 x 190 SHOT *** new - an assortment of everything you can imagine!
2 x 61 SHOT**** red stars to crackles
2 x 61 SHOT**** crackles to stars
2 x 19 SHOT**** large exploding coconuts
2 x 16 SHOT**** silver whistling comets
2 x 49 SHOT**** colours, crackles and airbombs
2 x 19 SHOT**** 19 shots of colour pearls and flying fish
2 x 100 SHOT*** extremely loud, 100 bangs to coloured stars
2 x 100 SHOT ***silver whistling comets with a spider burst
2 x 100 SHOT ***guaranteed to upset your neighbours
2 x 100 SHOT *** a winner for 2000, everything you can imagine
2 x *** CANDLES bombettes with rising tails to glittering comets
*******ROCKET silver tail, red, green and silver stars
*******ROCKET silver tail and shellburst of yellow & violet stars
****** ROCKET silver tail, red, green and silver stars
****** ROCKET multi effect of stars with huge canopy of glitter
****** ROCKET not for the weak hearted - the bang can be heard 5 miles away!
****** ROCKET golden glittering with blue stars
****** ROCKET rising with a silver tail displaying a burst of red stars
****** ROCKET rising silver tail shellburst of yellow & violet stars
****** ROCKET silver trail, golden glittering stars
****** ROCKET silver tail, red, green and silver stars
****** ROCKET silver tail, red, green silver stars
****** ROCKET silver tail, coloured bombettes & golden rain
****** ROCKET silver tail, red and blue stars
****** ROCKET silver trail, gold flashing stars
****** ROCKET silver trail, silver spinners, tracers & gold stars
****** ROCKET a super chrysanthemum starburst rocket
COLOUR ROCKET a large canopy of assorted stars to crackles
****** ROCKET a large canopy of multi colour stars
****** ROCKET a large canopy of assorted stars to crackle
****** ROCKET - the bang can be heard 5 miles away, not for the weak hearted!

the bang can be heard 5 miles away
extremely loud, 100 bangs to coloured stars
not for the weak hearted - the bang can be heard 5 miles away!

A smaller less expensive kit, well within the price range of many includes,
2 x 6 Colour & Noise 8 Shot ****** CANDLES ejects stars whistles and assorted spirals
19 SHOT ******** a multi effect colours barrage
MED. 19 SHOT ****whistles and whistles high into the night skies
MED. 19 SHOT**** WITH REPORT coloured comets with reports
MED. 19 SHOT ****loud thunderous reports
5 ****AIR BOMBS how loud? LOUD!!
*****MINE a fountain then erupting explosion
********* a fountain then erupting explosion
********* coloured comets and an explosion
56 SHOT *** AIRBOMB BARRAGE multi air bomb battery
25 SHOT **CAKE a multi effect roman candles shooting stars

loud thunderous reports
how loud? LOUD!!
multi air bomb battery
whistles and whistles high into the night skies
coloured comets and an explosion

And now we come to the noisy fireworks, £40 and under,
NOISE CAKES, AIR BOMBS & BARRAGE
******* AIR BOMBS: The loudest meanest, biggest air bomb. Guaranteed to stir the depths of hell!
******* I can proudly say that this is the loudest bang we have! A 25 shot air bomb one after the other enormous Devastating bangs, we have been reported for its noise. Beware!
******* 25 shot very, very loud air bomb. Not for the young or weak hearted
56 SHOT AIRBOMBS: A barrage of seven 14mm 8 shot candles fused together
96 SHOT ****** Rapid fire of 96 loud reports
******** Red/Green with reports, amazing air bomb cake
*****AIR BOMB This was a winner for 2000 the loudest yet a 64 shot air bomb cake that howls with laughter
******** New air bomb cake, coloured pearls to loud 64 shot air bombs
******** A 64 shot Sadam Hussein's dream come true.
**** 100 SHOT: Green star to loud report

The loudest meanest, biggest air bomb. Guaranteed to stir the depths of hell!
I can proudly say that this is the loudest bang we have! A 25 shot air bomb one after the other enormous Devastating bangs, we have been reported for its noise. Beware
25 shot very, very loud air bomb. Not for the young or weak hearted
Rapid fire of 96 loud reports
the loudest yet a 64 shot air bomb cake that howls with laughter
A 64 shot Sadam Hussein's dream come true
New air bomb cake, coloured pearls to loud 64 shot air bombs

Under the title of Ground Mines there are these fireworks,
******MINE Starts with a fountain a large explosion of crackles
***** Starts with a fountain then a large burst of coloured comets
****** MINE Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of bangs
****** MINE Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of colours
2 STAGE ****MINE Crackling / or multicolour burst followed by air bomb burst
4" MORTAR MINES Large mines, an explosion of various effects, hummers, silver cascades, screamers

Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of bangs
Crackling / or multicolour burst followed by air bomb burst
Starts with a fountain a large explosion of crackles

These fireworks are definitely within pocket money reach, are these worse than bangers, or are they bangers by another name?
These fireworks can be bought for under £6.00
19 SMALL BARRAGES: ********19 howling bangs one after the other
19 SHOT MEDIUM BARRAGES: * 19 loud reports
****7 SHOT: Silver comet tail star burst
****8 SHOT: Silver comet tail with bang
***** Nice busy 96 shot cake
***** Strong whistling fountain
**** 64 Roman candle produces a loud whistle effect tail with bangs
*******MINE Starts with a fountain one large explosion of crackles
MINE******* Starts with a fountain then a large burst of colour comets
*****An erupting volcano
*****32 shot Roman candle with 4 colour effects
******CAKE: 19 shot Roman candle spinning large spiral whirls with red and green star centres
AIR BOMBS: The loudest meanest, biggest air bomb. Guaranteed to stir the depths of hell!!
***** The famous twin burst ultra sonic, earth moving sound barrier boom!
*****210 shot multicolour barrage of flittering stars high up
***16 SHOT: Silver tail to crackling burst, amazing effects from a small cake
****** MINE: Starts with a fountain and one all mighty explosion of bangs
******MINE: Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of colours

These fireworks are under £8,
7 BUNDLE CANDLE *****140 shot multicolour glitter 21" long
*****A superb 25 shot cake - emits showers, crackles and whistles
*****WITH REPORTS: A superb 25 shot cake, shoots stars, comets with bangs
**** 25 shot very, very loud air bomb. Not for the young or weak hearted
**** 61 shots of howling comets to crackling splendour
**** 61 shots of colours to crackling comets to starbursts
**** 61 shots of noisy, spinning, crackling effects to exploding stars
56 SHOT AIRBOMBS: A barrage of seven 14mm 8 shot candles fused together
**** A 61 shot, colour, whistle, crackle and loud bangs, new this year a super cake
** 100 SHOT: Crackling comet to colour mine, 100 shot powerful cake
****** SHOT: Silver spinning spirals, triangle shape - 21 explosions with large starburst
***** TO LOUD REPORT: 25 shot cake very loud bangs with stars
**** I can proudly say that this is the loudest bang we have! A 25 shot air bomb one after the other enormous Devastating bangs, we have been reported for its noise. Beware!
**** 25 shot very, very loud air bomb. Not for the young or weak hearted

These fireworks are under £18,
96 SHOT *****Rapid fire of 96 loud reports
*******Red/Green with reports, amazing air bomb cake
****AIR BOMB: This was a winner for 2000 the loudest yet a 64 shot air bomb cake that howls with laughter
******* New air bomb cake, coloured pearls to loud 64 shot air bombs
*******A 64 shot Sadam Hussein's dream come true.

The loudest meanest, biggest air bomb. Guaranteed to stir the depths of hell!!
The famous twin burst ultra sonic, earth moving sound barrier boom!
New air bomb cake, coloured pearls to loud 64 shot air bombs
25 shot very, very loud air bomb. Not for the young or weak hearted
A 25 shot air bomb one after the other enormous Devastating bangs
A 61 shot, colour, whistle, crackle and loud bangs, new this year a super cake
21 explosions with large starburst

GROUND MINES
A Mine is a large pot that is buried in the ground, starts off a fountain then explodes into one almighty explosion of various effects - can be up to 35 ft high!
These fireworks price range is from £4 to £18,
****** MINE: Starts with a fountain a large explosion of crackles
******MINE: Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of bangs
*****MINE: Starts with a fountain & one all mighty explosion of colours
2 *****GROUND MINE: Crackling / or multicolour burst followed by air bomb burst
4" MORTAR MINES: Large mines, an explosion of various effects, hummers, silver cascades, screamers

one all mighty explosion of bangs
multicolour burst followed by air bomb burst

Supplier (B)

26 fireworks surveyed

can supply you with,
***** 56 Shots. Ariel Blitz of Crackle and Loud Flash Bangs.

***** 28 Shots (approx. 150 mini shell bursts). NOISE orientated multi coloured Barrage of exploding Bombette Stars reaching incredible heights up to 90 feet.

***** This contains TWO complete Displays
Display No 1 - 100 shots Whistle, Crackle, Colour Changes, Bangs plus Silver Fish Grande Finale.
Display No 2 - 100 shots Red to White Flitter and Whistle, Green Star to Green Starburst, Bangs and Crackle Grande Finale.

***** A complete Firework Display lasting approx. 3 minutes.
147 shots - Seven Comets to Shellbursts, (Red, Silver and Blue alternate) all repeated five times and Bangs plus Finale of seven Silver/Green to Titanium Salute all with Crackle

Within three minutes 147 shots/bangs with seven extra big ones at the end!

***** A complete Firework Display lasting approx. 3 minutes.
147 shots - Red, Green and Blue Pearls with Crackle, Blue and Red Bees to Colourburst, Red, Green and White Bouquet with Crackle. Bouquet Tail with Burst, Rapid Finale, Whistle with Crackle and Thunderflower Burst.

***** 100 shots blue tail to silvery glitter, green pearl and purple pearl with report and silver swirls, red comet tails with red and green pearls with report.

***** 120 shots 7 comets to shellbursts with angled effect, (gold red silver blue green bees and whistle) all repeated. Finale of silver/green 7 titanium salute all with crackle

120 shots/bangs, with seven extra large bangs to finish off

***** 147 shots red, green and blue pearl with crackle, blue and red bees to colour burst, red, green and white bouquet with crackle bouquet tail, with burst, rapid finale, rapid finale, whistle with crackle and thunder flower burst.

*****Cone Large Gold Conic Fountain reaching heights of up to 20 feet with Loud Crackle and Thunderclaps.

An extra large bang/thunderclap only 20 feet from the ground

Mine ***** 30 Second colourful Fountain precedes a sudden single explosive burst with whistle filling the sky with Golden Serpents

In the space of thirty seconds this screeches and then bangs

***** 30 Second colourful fountain precedes a sudden single explosive burst of reports filling the sky with Coloured Dragons.

In the space of thirty seconds this screeches and then bangs, a lot of them

Mine ***** 30 Second colourful fountain with a sudden single explosive burst of Golden Tailed crackling Meteorites.

75mm Mortar Mine An assortment of pre-loaded Mines in mortar tubes with multiple effects. A firework of short duration, but spectacular effects. Orders for more than one will contain a variety of different sensational effects with coloured stars and noise up to 60 feet high. Needs to be partially buried into the ground.
A FIREWORK FOR THE ENTHUSIAST.

100mm Mortar Mine A larger cousin to the 75mm Mortar Mine with even more spectacular effects. Probably the largest Mortar Mine available to the Public. Orders for more than one will contain a variety of sensational different effects with coloured stars and noise up to 60 feet high. Needs to be partially buried in the ground.
A FIREWORK FOR THE PYROTECHNICIAN.

Roman Candle Cakes
25 Shot ***** 25 Shots. Green Pearls which burst into a very loud report. VERY LOUD - NOT FOR THE VERY YOUNG
***** 37 Shots. Whistling Spirals with Green, Red and Silver Starbursts and Bangs.
***** 21 Shots. Green Stars which burst into Silver Crackle and Loud Bangs.
***** 25 Shots. Crackling Coloured Stars bursting into multi coloured Starbursts with Loud Bangs
***** 7 Large Shots. Ariel Large Rocket type Shellbursts to Gold Stars and Bangs
***** Green Stars with Silver trail bursting to large Green Starbursts. VERY LOUD BANGS
***** 36 Shots. Whistles bursting to multi coloured Starbursts and 'flying bees' effect
***** 36 Shots. Blue to Silver and Red to Silver Stars both with Starbursts and 'flying fish' effect
***** 25 Shots. Ground to Air Fire Trails with Whistle, multi coloured Starbursts. VERY LOUD BANGS
***** 19 Shots. Golden Tailed Stars, Ground to Air, bursting into Loud Crackle and Golden Palm Tree Effect.

VERY LOUD - NOT FOR THE VERY YOUNG
37 Shots. Whistling Spirals with Green, Red and Silver Starbursts and Bangs.
25 Shots. Crackling Coloured Stars bursting into multi coloured Starbursts with Loud Bangs
7 Large Shots. Ariel Large Rocket type Shellbursts to Gold Stars and Bangs
Green Starbursts. VERY LOUD BANGS
multi coloured Starbursts. VERY LOUD BANGS

Small Signal Rockets (1oz) A good alternative to the Zinc Rockets at less than half the price of its German Cousin. Each rocket produces a thunderous report and silver flash.

Large Signal Rockets (2oz) A good, well finished alternative to the Zinc Rockets, competitively priced. In our opinion, one of the loudest rockets on the market. Each rocket produces a MASSIVE thunderous report with a silver flash

***** A Set Piece Kit to make your own exciting Flying Pigeon to add movement and interest to your display. Now with screeching and whistle effects ejecting coloured sparks. The pigeon flies four times back and forth along a 75 ft rope.

a thunderous report
a MASSIVE thunderous report
screeching and whistle effects

Do not confuse with Maroons and Signal Rockets used by Lifeboat men and ships in distress.

Supplier (C)

28 fireworks surveyed

Can supply you with,
***** Air Bombs Packet of four traditional single air bombs.
***** Six different colours and effects, good value 18 shot barrages.
***** A larger version of the above with some more assorted colours and noise.
***** A popular 24 shot with heavy sky burst reports.
***** One of the meanest, loudest air bombs around (pack of 4)
***** 24 fireballs from hell burst into the night sky!
***** Three 24 shot barrages. The Martians invade with mighty fighting machines and the skies are filled with spectacular colours and noise!
***** This barrage emits a fantastic display of 56 very loud flash reports.
***** Colourful barrage shooting 56 bright white glitter fireballs into the air, changing to red, green, gold and blue.
***** 72 air bomb effects spitting flames of fury.
***** An effective 325 shot multi-fireball roman candle barrage which ends in bursts of colour.
***** 200 shots of rapid fire colour pearls and star bursts intermixed with loud reports. A good finale firework.
***** An amazing 66 shots of six sensation effects rise slowly from depths of the Labyrinth!
***** Spits and snarls 37 big shots of colour and noise creating an extraordinary illusion.
***** A real big, mean, spectacular battery. 500 shots with a range of effects, colour bursts, comet tails, whistles, crackles, an loud air bombs. Super finale.
***** A fine selection of 12 assorted barrages.
***** Like a Nuclear Holocaust as this 112 shot barrage vents it's might and ferocity.
***** Hell fire and damnation from this big multi-effect firework display. Air bombs, starbursts, crackles, colours, towers of fire.
***** 56 shots of lightning and thunder.
***** 36 shots of airburst stars and bangs.
***** A big 19 shot ejecting stars and big bangs with flitter.
***** Another new big 19 shot firework ejecting red stars and loud bangs.
***** 19 shots of noisy and pretty different coloured noisy air bursts.
***** 100 shots of multicoloured sky burst stars with comets.
***** 49 big shots of various colours, explosions, crackles.
100 Shot ********* The name describes this 100 shot cake. A very effective firework, well worth the price as part of a large display.
***** Fan shaped ejecting shots left right and centre. Colours, whistles, pretty, noisy with comet tails.
***** A pretty, noisy 108 shots fan shaped firework with an effective loud surprise ending

traditional single air bombs
A popular 24 shot with heavy sky burst reports.
One of the meanest, loudest air bombs around (pack of 4)
24 fireballs from hell burst into the night sky!
200 shots of rapid fire colour pearls and star bursts intermixed with loud reports
This barrage emits a fantastic display of 56 very loud flash reports.
72 air bomb effects spitting flames of fury.
A real big, mean, spectacular battery. 500 shots with a range of effects, and loud air bombs
A fine selection of 12 assorted barrages.
Hell fire and damnation from this....display. Air bombs, starbursts, crackles, colours, towers of fire.
56 shots of lightning and thunder.
36 shots of airburst stars and bangs.
Like a Nuclear Holocaust as this 112 shot barrage vents it's might and ferocity.
49 big shots of various colours, explosions, crackles.
noisy 108 shots fan shaped firework with an effective loud surprise ending

Supplier (D)

52 fireworks surveyed

is no different in his approach to selling,
***** This general display pack includes, multishot batteries, mines & salvos. A display without excessively loud bangs.
32" Shell Burst Rockets (magnesium colours, gold & silver, with report)
46" Giant Shell Burst Rockets (Various colours, massive star burst canopies)
36 Shot Barrage - Red Shell Bursts
70mm Ground Mines (commencing with fountain) - colour crackle & bursts
Battery of 7 x 14" Whistle & Bang Roman Candles
19 Shot Battery - Multicolour Shell Bursts
Giant (28mm Calibre) 8 Shot Roman Candle - Silver tail to multicolour shell bursts

A display without excessively loud bangs.
multicolour shell bursts
7 x 14" Whistle & Bang Roman Candles
46" Giant Shell Burst Rockets (Various colours, massive star burst canopies)

***** Supersedes the ******* pack with more rockets, larger candle barrages & five very impressive salvo-repeaters.
2oz Flash Maroon Rocket (very loud flash report to start the display)
32" Shell Burst Rockets (magnesium colours, gold & silver, with flash burst)
70mm Ground Mine - Thunder Stars
70mm Ground Mine - Crackle Stars
Battery of 7 x 14" ******* Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" Whistle Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" ******* Roman Candles
19 Shot Salvo - Multicolour Bursts with Palms
19 Shot Salvo - ******* Bombettes
36 Shot Repeater - Whistles, Stars Burst & Bangs
36 Shot Repeater - Red or Blue Mini Shells

***** Top of the range display with our very best 4oz rockets - with massive star canopies, high powered FX mines, larger candle barrages & super salvos.
2oz Flash Maroon Rockets (a loud report to start and end the display)
32" Shell Burst Rockets (magnesium colours, gold & silver, with report)
46" Giant Shell Burst Rockets (massive star canopies, single and & multicolour bursts)
46" Giant Shell Burst Rockets with stars & noise effects
Battery of 7 x 14" Artillery Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" Whistle Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" Humming Star Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" Gold Comet Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 18" Candles - Crackling Comets
High Power 65mm Mines - Glitter Stars to Flash Reports & Screeching Stars
Two Stage (Double Break) Mines - Colour to Thunders & Crackle to Thunders
19 Shot Salvo - Multicolour Bursts with Palm Centre
19 Shot Salvo - Gold Crackle, Silver Spirals & Tadpoles
Giant (28mm Calibre) 8 Shot Roman Candles - Coloured and Strobing Shell Bursts with Rising Silver Tails

very loud flash report
Whistles, Stars Burst & Bangs
a loud report
with report
high powered FX mines, larger candle barrages & super salvos
Colour to Thunders & Crackle to Thunders
Multicolour Bursts with Palm Centre

'Battery of 7' has seven times the power/noise of one firework

*****
2oz ***** Rocket (very loud flash report to start the display)
32" *****Rockets (various magnesium colours, with report)
36 Shot Barrage - *****
70mm Ground Mines (commencing with fountain) - Thunder Eruption, Crackling Stars
Battery of 7 x 14" ***** Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" Whistle Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" *****Roman Candles
Battery of 7 x 14" *****Roman Candles
19 Shot Salvo - Crackle, Silver Spinners & Tadpoles
19 Shot Salvo - Red & Green Bombettes & Bees
19 Shot Battery - Orange with Silver Crackle
70 Shot Star Battery - Multicolour
16 Shot Battery - Wriggling Screechers
16 Shot Battery - Silver Tail to Loud Green Star Bursts

very loud flash report
Thunder Eruption, Crackling Stars
Wriggling Screechers
Loud Green Star Bursts

***** The premier barrage pack, six large calibre 19 shot ground repeaters lasting 45 seconds each.
***** - Towering gold crackling stars
***** White flitter tail to loud maroon
***** Silver to blue burst with crackle
*****Silver tails, multicoloured stars & crackle
*****Loud rising whistles with final bangs
***** Gold rising trails with golden shower

to loud maroon
with crackle
Loud rising whistles with final bangs

This is six fireworks in one, 19 shots/bangs in 45 seconds, 6 times.

*****
Pure Noise! 100 shots of thunderous cannon fire. Probably the loudest firework ever sold.

This is a firework. Where is the beauty?

***** includes
150 x 20mm comet stars and titanium salutes
30 x 25mm golden rain comets and shell bursts
30 x 25mm silver tails and multicolour bursts
24 x 30mm silver tails to mixed shell burst effects
24 x 30mm large multicoloured bombettes

Super Candles
Six extra large batteries of 19 x 20" candles for the bigger display.
*****- 152 shot red, white & blue
***** 140 shot colour to titanium bangs
*****152 shot silver comet cascade
*****152 shot gold crackle
*****134 shot whistle, crackle, bang
*****142 shot spinning silver buzzers

*****120 shots, giving a superbly choreographed aerial display with coloured comets, multiple star-burst effects, glitters, bees, pearls, crackles, whistles & a thunderous finale. Duration over a minute and a half.

120 bangs in 90 seconds!

***** The ultimate rocket pack; five giant 8oz sky-missiles with a massive payload and sensational effects.

Supplier (E)

118 fireworks surveyed

is much, much, more of the same
Cakes/Roman Candles/Barrages
***** Assortment of coloured bursts
***** Loud whistling tails with bangs
8 Shot ***** Varied Effects, Noise, Colour & long burning
16 Shot Cake ***** Assorted Effects, Noise and Colour
16 Shot Cake***** Assorted Effects, Colour and Noise
16 Shot Cake ***** Assorted Effects, Colour, Noise & mini-mines
9 *****Whistling colour balls and stars
***** Green stars into Silver crackles with report
25 Shot Cake ***** Very loud bangs (not for the young)
***** Silver trail with burst and crackles
***** Brilliant effects of crackling comet tails
***** Colour & Noise with quickening finale
*****whirls with red and green stars
*****Colours and whistles
*****Crackling stars
*****Cluster of Red/Green Spiderlets
*****Wriggling serpents/bursts/stars.
25 Shot Cake *****Bright flash with loud bang or colours
*****Never ending barrage of whistles and bangs
***** 6 different effects, Stars, Whistles, Bangs
*****Coloured stars, whistles and loud bangs
*****Violet stars with glitter and loud bangs
*****Squeals and Noise
*****Green sea serpents wriggling (low noise)
*****Mother of all noise
*****Blitz of colour and noise
*****Very loud flash report
*****white, green crackling thunder
***** Frenzy of noise
*****Heavy noise report
64 Shot Airbombs Never ending noise and colour
***** Coloured pearls and loud reports
70 Shot ***** Cake Mixed Noise
***** Red stars and whistles
***** Whistles and buzzing
*****Whistles & Bangs giving good effects
*****Whistles, Stars, Bangs, 4 coloured effects
*****Colour/Whistles/Crackle/Airbombs
90 Shot ***** Cake Mixed Effects
*****Twinkling/Strobing/Crackling Stars - Bangs
*****Loud whistles and Crackling missiles
***** Coloured tailed Bombettes quickening finale
***** Assorted effects fired in multiples of four
*****Multiple effects with spectacular finale
*****Colour and noise
36 Shot Cake *****Whistles bursting to multi-coloured stars
*****Triple bursts full of colour
***** Red tailed star with report
*****Crackles, whistles with reports
***** Large shots, double effects, colour and noise
*****Very noisy effect
***** Multitude of spectacular effects
***** Red stars into white snowball thunderclap
*****Mixed Noise Effect

Loud whistling tails with bangs
Green stars into Silver crackles with report
Very loud bangs (not for the young)
Bright flash with loud bang or colours
Never ending barrage of whistles and bangs
Coloured stars, whistles and loud bangs
Violet stars with glitter and loud bangs
Squeals and Noise
Mother of all noise
Blitz of colour and noise
Very loud flash report
white, green crackling thunder
Frenzy of noise
Heavy noise report
Never ending noise and colour
Coloured pearls and loud reports
Very noisy effect

Mines/Fountains
***** Mine Whistle followed by bang or crackles
*****Mines Asst. Bangs, whistles, star effects
***** Mine (Assorted) Bangs/Whistles/Crackles
***** Mines (5 Pack) Silver/white Fountain to R/G/B mine effects
***** Triple shot red-green stars, whistles & bangs
***** Mine Coloured fountain thunderous
*****Whistles followed by colour or bang
Two ***** Mine Crackle Thunder Two stage effects
***** Triple Burst, crackle, report

Whistle followed by bang or crackles
(Assorted) Bangs/Whistles/Crackles
Triple shot red-green stars, whistles & bangs
Whistles followed by colour or bang
Triple Burst, crackle, report

Pre Loaded Mine In Mortars
75mm *****Real power with colour noise
75mm *****Real power with crackle
75mm ***** Real power with whistles
100mm **** Mortar Seriously powerful thunder

Real power with colour noise
Real power with whistles
Seriously powerful thunder

Cones And Fountains
World of Colours Wonderful Colours/crackles not too loud
Large Cone Crackling Volcano effect with crackle
Hell Fury Multi-coloured stars, with thunderclap crackle

crackles not too loud
Volcano effect with crackle
with thunderclap crackle

Bouquets
5 Bar Crackle 18mm x 5 Crackling candles
Candle/Fountain Bouquet Coloured burst and fountain
Blockbuster Candles 3 bar Comet tailed bombette Asst.

5 Crackling candles

Wheels
*****Bright colour and raucous roar
3 Wheel Pack Coloured wheels with whistles
*****Wheel Gold sparkles and loud whistles
3 Ass. Size Wheel Pack Coloured wheels with whistles

raucous roar
loud whistles

These are the old fashioned Catherine Wheels brought to the 21st Century

Airbombs
***** (3 pack) Extra loud reports
***** 5 double shots stars and bangs
***** Stars and Bangs
*****(4 pack) 8 shot 2 airbombs and 2 crackling comets
*****Airbombs Very loud indeed
*****Loudest/meanest airbomb
*****

Extra loud reports
5 double shots stars and bangs
Stars and Bangs
Very loud indeed
Loudest/meanest airbomb

The firework industry are phasing Airbombs out, once they have sold all their stock. In the meantime......

Rocket Packs
*****Rockets Shriek with a report
***** Whistling airbomb rockets
*****Flash burst, stunning effects
***** Flash burst, large star burst
***** Crackling with reports
*****Rocket Assorted colours
***** Large rockets pack ~ assorted coloured bursts
*****Golden trail two different colour bursts
*****colour burst, with loud report
***** Large coloured burst with crackle
*****Whistling assent, stars and noise

Shriek with a report
Whistling airbomb rockets
Flash burst, stunning effects
Crackling with reports
colour burst, with loud report
Whistling assent, stars and noise

Rockets Individual
*****Assorted effects star, crackles, bangs
***** Burst with a bang
***** Assorted effects quality burst
***** Super loud
*****Very large star burst effect
4 oz. Rocket Powerful zinc rocket colour burst
6 oz Rocket Breathtaking performance
*****Massive effects, excellent burst
2X***** Silver crackle burst to multi-whistling snakes
***** Red burst to silver tracer comets
*****Double burst colour report
Double Break Rocket Double burst colour reports

Burst with a bang
Super loud
crackle burst to multi-whistling snakes
Double burst colour reports

Single Ignition ~ Standing Displays
*****Cake 8 mine effects or 19 bombettes
*****Thunderous canon fire ~ Noise
***** Green stars and loud air bombs
*****Full of colour and bangs
***** Cake Whistles, Stars, Crackles and Bangs
***** Whistles, hummers, screeches, colour and salutes
*****Large red, green, silver and blue stars followed by spiders, shellbursts and bangs
***** Colour sequenced mines with bombettes
***** Coloured sequence bombettes
***** Crackling comets and titanium salutes
*****Various effects firing at different angles
***** Cake starting with fountain progressing to star candles and bombettes, finishing with a series of mines
***** starting with fountain progressing to star candles and bombettes, finishing with a series of mines

Thunderous canon fire ~ Noise
Green stars and loud air bombs
Whistles, Stars, Crackles and Bangs
shellbursts and bangs
Colour sequenced mines with bombettes
Crackling comets and titanium salutes

Supplier (F)

44 fireworks surveyed

sells fireworks because they are noisy. He, perhaps, typifies the firework industry's attitude.

Here are descriptions of his display kits

*******
We were beginning to think the European Firework Commissioners had given up the quest for a European standard for fireworks. Perhaps they had found more important matters to concentrate on such as straightening bananas or banning British chocolate. Just when we thought it was safe to creep back into our garden and fire off a Noisy Finale the Commission suddenly showed slight signs of life! After seven years of deliberation they have issued draft documents on sparklers. You will recall that amongst many wondrous ideas is a noise limit on fireworks. The Noisy Finale (not to mention the Very Noisy Finale!) could be under threat! At this rate though it could be several more centuries before there are any further signs of life. But why be complacent? Buy one while you can. Or better still, several of them!

*******
Suitable only for displays, definitely not for use in your back garden! A satisfyingly noisy barrage of screechers and coloured tailed titanium salutes. Not suitable for those living next to an EU commissioner.

*******
A spectacular barrage of red white and blue comets followed by a volley of crackling comets. (OK so it has a bit of noise at the end!) Suitable for a large garden or display use this new firework should keep us in the good books of those wonderful people at the EU.

******* Fountain Mine Pack
These mines have a silver fountain before erupting into the air from ground level. They then produce a shrill whistle before erupting again with a different effect.

100mm Mortar Mine- Colour to Crackle
100mm Mortar Mine- Coloured Thunders
100mm Mortar Mine- Displaying Red to Crackle
100mm Mortar Mine- Displaying Thunders
100mm Mortar Mine- Displaying Whistles
100mm Mortar Mine- Whistles
29mm ***** Candle - Multiple Effects
29mm ***** Roman Candle
29mm ***** to Crackling Bombette
29mm ***** Bombette
29mm *****salutes produce rolling thunder!

Coloured Thunders
Displaying Whistles
Whistles
salutes produce rolling thunder!

Noisy, Very Noisy and then Rolling Thunder

Supplier F will then offer you items such as
5-***** of Whistle Serpent Bangs
70 Shot ***** - Noise & Colour
75mm Mortar Mine - Coloured Thunder
Battery of Four Whistles and Flash Candles
*****A mammoth cake produce 61 x 30mm bombettes in a Bombardment of Seven 20mm Bombettes
Bombardment of Seven Flashing Thunder Candles
Bombardment of Seven Whistle and Flash
***** - Whistles And Crackles
Double Break Fountain Mine - Displaying Colour Then Thunder
***** 70 Whistles and Buzzers
***** - 70 Noisy Shots
Fountain Mine - Displaying Coloured Thunders
*****- 100 Sequenced Starshells
*****Rockets - Assorted Colours And Effects
***** Roman Candle
*****36 Colour Sequenced Bursts
*****37 Crackling Serpents
Mine - Coloured Thunders
***** Rockets - Huge Star Bursts
***** 36 Reports - 36 Crackles And Bangs
*****7 Red Aerial Shells
*****Candles - Noisy Fusillade
Rockets - Huge Bursts
*****Display Cake, 144 Whistles,
***** Coloured Bouquets
*****Cake Noise and Colour
*****Cake Noise And Colour Effects
*****Cake Colour And Noise Effects
*****90 Noisy Effects From China
*****Candles - Multiple Effects
*****Cake 100 crackling comets and twice producing different colours and effects.
*****Coloured Crackling Comets

70 Whistles and Buzzers
70 Noisy Shots
36 Reports - 36 Crackles And Bangs
90 Noisy Effects

This supplier boasts membership of
Members of The CBI Explosives Industry Group, Members of The British Pyrotechnists' Association and
The Firework Makers Guild

Supplier (G)

15 fireworks surveyed

is equally lacking in modesty regarding fireworks

*****Candles 28mm Giant Red Comets to Very LOUD Titanium Reports, 8 shots per candle
***** 28mm Giant Silver Serpent Spinners to Large Red & Green Star Burst with Report
25 shot *****Alternate Red and Green Stars to loud Reports
25 shot *****Cake Red & Green Comets, Blue & Silver Fish, Silver Whistles and Crackling Stars!
37s *****Cake Crackling Tail Comets to Bursts of Red, Green, Blue and Crackling Stars
19 shot *****Cake Large Pink & Green Tipped Silver Comets transforming to Silver Spinners followed by LOUD Titanium Reports
37 shot *****Cake Electric Blue Mines with Giant Green Comets Changing to Green Crossettes followed by Multi Bloom Silver Crackle Stars and a Final LOUD Titanium Report
25 shot *****Cake Fires in Banks of 5 Producing Giant Red Comets Bursting to Red Tipped Silver Glitter Palm Effects
25 shot *****Cake Fires in Banks of 5 Producing Giant Green Comets that Burst into Multi Blooming Crackle Stars
*****Cake 200 shots! Red & Green Comets, Red Chrysanth's, Green Chrysanth's, Blooming Crackle Stars and Ending with 10 Titanium Salutes
80mm *****Mine Starts with a 2 metre high Silver Fountain Erupting to Silver Comets and Loud Titanium Reports
80mm *****Mine Double Effect Mine with Initial Eruption of Gold Crackle Tail Comets then a Whistle delay followed by a Second Burst of Silver Titanium Reports
25 shot ***** Alternate Red and Green Stars to loud Reports
25 shot ***** Cake Double Silver Spinning Whistles & Crackle Stars
37s *****Cake Crackling Tail Comets to Bursts of Red, Green, Blue and Crackling Stars

Very LOUD Titanium Reports, 8 shots per candle
loud Reports
Final LOUD Titanium Report
Ending with 10 Titanium Salutes

Supplier (H)

24 fireworks surveyed

***** Massive 270 Shot cake with a run time of over 3 minutes and weighing nearly 10KG. This Huge cake is truly a display in its own right and is suitable for any occasion.

******ROCKET PACK An Ideal Golden Jubilee Garden Jubilee pack, requiring a 5 metre Spectator distance, containing 32 Awesome Garden Rockets complete with launchers, goggles and 5 portfires.

***** ROCKET PACK Contains 18 Huge Shell Break Rockets and the Awesome new Rocket Volley, which launches 7 Rockets simultaneously.

*****CAKE PACK A selection of six Monsterous 200 shot Moon Cakes. Boasting varied and spectacular effects, these cakes are lit from a single fuse and last nearly 2 minutes.

80mm MORTAR MINE ***** A Massive pre-loaded mortar Mine, containing a huge cluster of whistling stars which are ejected high into the sky producing a spectacular column of silver stars which then spin. Short duration but Brilliant effect !!

80mm MORTAR MINE ***** A Massive pre-loaded mortar Mine, containing a huge cluster of crackling gold stars which are ejected high into the sky producing a spectacular column of gold with green bees and very loud crackling. Short duration but Unusual and loud

80mm MORTAR MINE***** A Massive pre-loaded mortar Mine, containing a huge cluster of airbombs which are ejected high into the sky producing a column of thunderous stars. Short duration but Very loud !!

30mm *****CANDLE This enormous candle fires 8 huge vivid comets with long glittering tails well over 120 ft high and bursts with a spectacular peony burst. Fantastic effects candle !!

***** 6 oz ROCKET A Huge Display Rocket which sprints high into the sky and then bursts into a massive shell burst of vivid colour. Brilliant !!

100 SHOT *****CAKE A New large diameter circular cake from Blue Moon. Offering a Multitude of spectacular and vivid effects, together with an excellent run time of nearly a minute. Great value for money !!

***** This German made Thunder Rocket is huge and offers a very impressive specification, with a 7" head and utilising aluminium motor technology. As the name suggests, this Rocket is Very Very Loud !!

*****19 SHOT CAKE A New 19 Shot Bombette Cake which fires mini shells high into the sky, each exploding into a huge burst of light, colour and effects. With an excellent run time of 45 seconds, this firework is a must for any display. Spectacular !!

***** ROCKET PACK A fantastic selection of medium to large Garden Rockets, each producing a vivid burst of noise, colour and effects. Superb performance and value for money

***** This German made display Rocket offers mammoth proportions and impressive specifications, with a 9" head and utilising aluminium motor technology. This Rocket rises with a silver tail and bursts into a giant Silver Willow with Emerald tips !!

***** This German made display Rocket boasts mammoth proportions and offers impressive specifications, with a 9" head and utilising aluminium motor technology. This Rocket rises with a silver tail and bursts into a giant Gold Spider with gold tips !!

***** ROCKET This German made display Rocket boasts mammoth proportions and offers a very impressive specifications, with a 9" head and utilising aluminium motor technology. This Rocket bursts with Red Strobing Stars and a circle of Titanium flashes !!

***** ROCKET This all new Rocket Volley fires 7 Display Rockets simultaneously from one fuse. Each one rising high into the sky and bursting with a spectacular Brocade effect. Awesome !!

200 *****CAKE This New Circular Monster of a Cake from Blue Moon, comes in 6 Awesome effects, and has an outstanding run time of nearly 2 minutes. Absolutely Stunning!!

100 SHOT *****This huge piece lasts around 45 seconds and ejects 100 comets high into the sky which burst into brilliant red electric crackers. Superb effect !!

100 SHOT ***** The highly acclaimed Titanium Report cake never fails to impress. This awesome cake launches a bombardment of 100 comets consecutively high into the sky, each one bursting with a mind blowing Thunderous Silver Flash. Very Very Loud !!

100 Shot ***** This cake offers a superb specification, lasting approximately 45 seconds and firing a bombardment of Whistling Stars, Crackling Comets and Thunderous Reports. Frantic and very entertaining !!

*****64 SHOT CAKE A Brand New cake for 2001 boasting a huge specification. This cake fires 64 x 30mm bombettes high into the sky each bursting with a vivid and colourful canopy burst and with a run time of 50 seconds you will be impressed !!

***** 90 SHOT CAKE A brand New cake for 2001 from Blue Moon. This superb cake fires a bombardment of 25mm bombettes high into the sky, each bursting with a spectacular mini shell burst. With a run time of 50 seconds this cake is Fantastic !!

***** This Huge 184 shot Single Ignition Cake lasts nearly 3 minutes and fires an unrelenting Torrent of Multi-Colour Stars, Whistling Comets, Coloured Comets, Crackling Comets, Titanium Reports, finishing with a volley of 30mm Bombettes. Totally Awesome !!

100 comets consecutively high...., each one bursting with a mind blowing Thunderous Silver Flash. Very Very Loud !!
Titanium Reports, finishing with a volley of 30mm Bombettes. Totally Awesome !!
this Rocket is Very Very Loud !!
Short duration but Unusual and loud

Findings

Fireworks, by their nature are noisy. They are chemicals that when ignited emit a sound.

Fireworks are traditional, noisy fireworks are not.

There is a glorification in many of these firework suppliers, who revel in the fact their fireworks makes a noise. 'Can be heard 5 miles away', 'Guaranteed to upset the neighbours', 'Awaken the dead', 'Not for the faint hearted'. Phrases such as these are repeated time and time again throughout this survey of 8 firework suppliers, picked at random, offering for sale some 361 fireworks, from the internet.

'Not for the very young', 'Not for the weak hearted', are tongue in cheek, the industry's way of sticking two fingers at the general public. Meaning if you complain then you are by definition, weak hearted. Though how the very young children, the sick and the elderly can fail to hear and not be affected by these explosions, the industry does not say.

The Scottish SPCA survey stated that their first recording by a vet on a firework related case was early September and continued until the survey ended in December. The 'Read all about it' section of the National Campaign for Firework Safety's website has incidents throughout the year. Many now confine their pets from early September until well into January because of the fear of fireworks. They are not afraid of sparklers, and other fireworks in Category 1 of BS 7114, they are not weak-hearted at the sight of a well constructed display, of which there are many up and down the country. They are fed up with the continual bang, bang, bang, of people who set off fireworks late at night so they can spread fear and terror amongst their fellow men.

One can only imagine how animals in the wild react to the noise. Theirs is a terror beyond imagination. The dog that ripped it's own face off through fear of the noise of fireworks. Can you begin to imagine the fear, the terror that made the poor dog in an attempt to block out the noise of fireworks, made it oblivious to the physical pain of it's face being torn off. This was a breed of dog renowned for its fearlessness, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Other animals may die in less fearful circumstances but die they do. Many unrecorded instances such as hedgehogs, wild birds, feral cats, plus many many more are often forgotten. They deserve better from us.

The fireworks standard reply is 'killjoy', to those who advocate a change in fireworks. It is the so called 'firework enthusiast' who are killing the joy out of many peoples daily lives, day after day, night after night. Firework noise happens 24 hours a day.

What noisy fireworks must do to the many wild animals that are on the outer circle of our everyday lives, I dread to think. How can you prepare these animals for the noisy barrage of assorted bangs that are coming, unceasing night after night for months on end..

The firework industry agreed the banger should go, but the firework industry then replaced it with a multi-banger in the shape of multi-shot airbombs 25 'devastating bangs' in one firework. I cannot see the difference between 25 bangers and one firework with 25 bangs. They are now discussing taking the airbomb of the market. Our survey has shown that almost all fireworks, that are capable of making a noise have been exploited by the firework industry. Rockets, Roman Candles, Mines, Cones and Fountains, even Catherine Wheels can be made extra noisy. It is not the ordinary general public who are asking for more and more noise. It is a mindless few who are pandered too, by the firework industry.

Surely now is the time to look at fireworks and judge them by the level of noise they make. If it is against the law to hold a noisy party, which may only affect ten or so houses within its immediate vicinity, and it is legal to inflict noise from a firework in a five mile radius, which may contain many thousands of people, then something is wrong.

NB Black Cat Fireworks. Several fireworks named in this survey are traded under the name of 'Black Cat'. See addendum

The survey was carried out between March 15th and March 20th 2002.

Peter Wilson

Fireworks Glossary

Banger single tube containing gunpowder producing a report (bang) often following emission of sparks

Barrages when, usually four, Candles are fused together and sent skyward

Bombette Candles fire shells into the sky which explode into starbursts.

Bombettes shells which explode in the air in starbursts.

Cakes are fireworks which are made up of a number of different tubes fused together sometimes in the shape of a cake. The tubes usual contain all sorts of different colours and effects, and/or noise units Duration: typically 30 secs

Candle see Roman Candle

Candle Batteries usually contain four roman candles fused together.

Candle Bombardments usually contain seven candles fused together.

Candle Bouquets consists of roman candles strapped to a wooden frame in a fan shape.

Combination assembly including several elements each corresponding to one of the devices listed above in any combination, with a single point of ignition

Comets produce stars with long trailing tails

Cones see Fountain

Display Mines are much larger more powerful mines suitable for larger public displays.

Double Break Mines erupt once, then screech and then erupt a second time.

Fountain showers of sparks or coloured flame emitted from a tube which has the effect of a steadily increasing volume of sparks and noise. Duration: 10 - 30

Fountain Mines have a silver fountain delay before the mine erupts.

Gerbs a large Fountain

Ground Mines fired from the ground, mines begin with a small fountain and conclude with a single or multiple eruption of stars and effects

Lancework a pictorial representation of a message or image, sometimes with additional effects Duration: typically 45 secs

Mine device fired on the ground, containing a single propellant charge and pyrotechnic units (e.g. stars or noise units) which ejects all the pyrotechnic units in a single burst producing a widely dispersed visual and/or aural effect Duration: approx. 3 seconds

Portfires are slow burning hand-held fireworks used to light other larger fireworks. Burning time is about five minutes

Rocket self-propelled device with stick for stabilisation of flight which ascends, which can be followed by report and/or ejection of pyrotechnic units producing a visual and/or aural effect Duration: approx. 3 secs

Roman Candle single or multiple firings, often from a single tube, of stars, bombettes (mini star bursts) and/or noise units Duration :10 - 45 secs

Safety Lighters are glowing pieces of wick and are used to light smaller fireworks.

Setpieces a static combination of, usually, fountains to produce a latticework pattern of sparks Duration: 25 - 45 secs

Shellburst a rocket that bursts like a shell.

Shells are fireworks which are fired from a Mortar Tube buried in the ground. The shell is fired from the tube to a great height when it then explodes. Now banned for sale to the general public.

Sparkler wire coated along one end with explosive composition and designed to be held in the hand or fixed in the ground which emits sparks Duration 30-60 seconds

Starburst a rocket that bursts like a shell.

Volcanoes see Fountain

Wheel device which is designed to rotate around a fixed point which rotates, emits sparks and flames, with or without aural effect Duration: 10 - 60 seconds

Other words for Bang,
burst, crackle, eruption, explode, explosion, flash, maroon, report, salute, shellburst, shot, thunderclap, thunder,

Barrage a number of, usually four
Battery a number of, usually four or seven
Bombardment a number of, usually four or seven
Crackles small repeated explosions
Roar a number of repeated explosions
Salvo a number of repeated explosions

Other Noises
Howling Whirls, Laughter, Raucous, Screech, Shriek, Whistle, Whizzes

This is Local London 9 November 2001: Dog tore its face off in terror at fireworks
A terrified dog ripped its own face off because of the noise of exploding fireworks.
The 11-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier called Rocky had to be put down because of the seriousness of his injuries and fears he would do it again.
Now crippled widower Stan Abbey, 77, from Dartford, has lost his only friend who he shared meals and cups of tea with.
Speaking about the decision to put his dog down, Stan, from Farnol Road, on the Temple Hill Estate, said: "I felt like a bloody murderer.
"It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make. I didn't know what to do. He used to sleep on my bed but since he's gone I've been on my own at night. It's like a morgue, so quiet. Although sometimes at night I think I can hear him."
Rocky was cremated at a vet's surgery. They offered to send his ashes home but Stan couldn't face it.
He added: "Rocky is irreplaceable. He was such a character. He used to mimic me. Sometimes stealing the butt end of my cigarette from the ash tray and letting it hang from his lip. All I've got now is a photo."
Rocky was in Hazel Court Kennels when the fireworks went off, as Stan was in hospital having a hip operation.
Hazel Court Kennels manager Ian Bond said: "A lot of breeds of dog go hysterical with firework noise. Their brains just go. It's a bit like epilepsy."
Stan's daughter Pamela Turley, 47, of Kingsley Avenue, Dartford, said: "It's awful people are allowed to let off fireworks the whole time. They should only be let off at special organised events. Animals can find it really distressing." Mrs Turley, has no complaint with the kennel.

Irish Independent 9 October 2001 Hallowe'en warning as four children injured
Four children have been injured, one seriously, from highly dangerous illegal fireworks sweeping the country in the run-up to Hallowe'en. All the children suffered hand injuries in the past seven days from the fireworks and last night a leading plastic surgeon warned other youngsters would be maimed in coming weeks.
Gardai confirmed that the Black Cat bangers, made in China, are on sale in this country and that they are "extremely dangerous" and can explode the second they are lit.
Other dangerous makes of bangers are also on sale on the black market they have slow fuses and have also injured unsuspecting children who, thinking they have failed to detonate, have picked them up again.
The National Safety Council expressed concern yesterday that children living in border counties are able to get bangers from across the border in the North, where they are legal.
Most of the fireworks imported into Ireland and sold illegally are of "dubious origin" and do not meet any safety standards, a spokeswoman said.
Dr Patricia Eadie, consultant plastic surgeon attached to Crumlin children's hospital and St James's hospital in Dublin, told the Irish Independent that two 12-year-olds were admitted to Crumlin and two teenagers to St James's within the past week with hand injuries from bangers. All were boys. One 16-year-old from a border county almost blew off his thumb and left index finger from fireworks bought in the North. "He will have functional difficulties with his hand for the rest of his life," said Dr Eadie, who performed surgery on the youngsters. Two of the boys sustained hand injuries from bangers which exploded after they were placed in jam jars.
Dr Eadie said she expected other children to be injured over the next few weeks and urged parents to be vigilant.
A Garda spokesman said the Black Cat and other dangerous bangers, which caused a spate of serious injuries last year, were once again being sold illegally in the run-up to Hallowe'en.
"They explode in your hand, will blow off the hand, fingers or other body parts and can go off prematurely. They are very dangerous," he said.

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