How are fireworks made and how do technicians stay safe?

Fireworks are made using different chemical combinations that are set on a timer. Technicians stay safe as they light fireworks off by a complicated combination of technology, timing, practice, and common sense.

That being said, almost everyone loves watching the huge city or private displays. Still more people light their own fireworks off, particularly on the fourth of July, but on other days as well. However, fireworks are still a mystery for most viewers. Let’s look more deeply at how fireworks are made and how firework technicians stay safe.

Fireworks during New Years Eve in Sydney, Australia. Have you ever wondered how fireworks are made?

The Basics of Firework Creation

Firework construction is full of trade secrets, but we do know the basics. In essence, it starts with black powder or flash powder. Different minerals are added in to create different colors. Stars and special effects are created with paper, plastic, and different chemicals.

All of this is placed into the shell or tube in a very specific order so that the proper effect will light up the sky at the right time.

Safety 101

Fireworks technicians stay safe by using and maintaining a very strict set of protocols. When done professionally, fireworks generally don’t cause accidents. The majority of injuries happen with newer users who light off fireworks a few times a year.

The protocols vary from place to place, but for all big cities, coordination with city maintenance is a must. Facility or park maintenance teams may also need to be consulted, depending on the location where the fireworks will be shot off.

Why and When to Leave it to the Professionals

Most fireworks are much better handled by the professionals, especially the larger mortars and shells. These people go through a rigorous training process and spend months designing the displays that the rest of the world sees once in a while.

In brief, they know how to do it. And the rest of the world is a brighter place for fireworks and firework technicians.

Want to keep reading?

Should technicians get maintenance safety certifications?

Safety should be the primary concern for maintenance technicians - they are the employees who place themselves in dangerous situations

View Article

Tips on Safety Maintenance: Keeping Your Crew and Machinery Safe

Maintenance work differs greatly from day-to-day operations—every task is unique, and there is typically little room for automation.

View Article

When do I need to hire a reliability engineer? How does reliability affect safety?

If you want to take proactive steps towards maintenance and you have enough data to analyze, you can benefit from hiring a reliability engineer.

View Article

4,000+ COMPANIES RELY ON ASSET OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Leading the Way to a Better Future for Maintenance and Reliability

Your asset and equipment data doesn't belong in a silo. UpKeep makes it simple to see where everything stands, all in one place. That means less guesswork and more time to focus on what matters.