Fireworks A-Z

Aerial - fireworks that explode in the sky!
We often use aerial fireworks in our displays, however we sometimes use just ground based fireworks to create an enchanting firework display. We can use Fountains that will spark up to 8M high, strobing fireworks, blindingly almost fluorescent lights of fire, along with Lancework to write messages and pictures in fire, along with much more.

Bengal
A Bengal is a large bore, slow burning, coloured or brilliant white flare (often strobing) used to illuminate trees, buildings or other features. We often hide the bengal from view so only the illumination it provides can be seen.

Cascade, the old word for a Firework Waterfall
Waterfall: A long row of flares are suspended, fuse down, on a rope, about 6 metres from the ground. A second, very fast fuse (quickmatch) ignites all the flares at once. The composition in the tubes contains more fuel than oxidiser which is ejected, still burning, from the case. Before the widespread production of Aluminium powder, a scintillating golden effect was achieved using powdered iron. Aluminium gives a brilliant white cascade effect. Sirotechnics often use waterfalls at wedding fireworks displays behind the lancework to add a beautiful white wall behind the bride and grooms initials.

Dangerous, when in the wrong hands
Fireworks are only dangerous when used incorrectly. Please make sure any fireworks you buy come with the British Standard BS7114 printed upon them. This ensures that your fireworks have been tested and classified to UK standards. Inferior fireworks, such as illegally imported fireworks are far more likely to cause you and your family harm.

Electronic Firing, what we do in all our displays
At Sirotechnics, we believe to fire a display electronically is the safest way, and with the risks associated with hand firing, why take the risk? Our firework displays will cost no more to be fired electronically than some companies will charge to use Portfires or Tamar’s.

Fuse
A fuse is used to light the fireworks. There are many different types of fuse, the most common of which is a Visco fuse. It is simply gunpowder contained within a string casing/tubing, coated in a lacquer which helps to keep it waterproof. If you take a piece of visco fuse and light it, and then insert the lit end into water, it will continue to burn underwater due to the displacement from the flame and the oxygen it gathers from the compound.

Gunpowder, without this there would be no Fireworks Displays
Gunpowder is a mixture of Potassium Nitrate, Sulphur and Charcoal which is milled, slightly damp, for many hours until a very intimate mix is produced. This is then pressed under very high pressure into cakes. The cakes are dried and broken up into sizes from a few millimetres to dust. This is sieved to obtain roughly the same particle size and then a little natural graphite is added and the grain powder is polished in a rotating barrel to produce a free flowing shiny, black, granular powder. 

Hardwork!
A lot of time and effort goes into every Firework Display we produce. On average for every minute of display there will be a minimum of 2 hours preparatory work. On large scale corporate musical displays this ratio might increase to 6 hours preparatory work per minute of display.

Igniter Cord, what we use to link fireworks together
Igniter cord is commonly known in the Firework Display world as PIC (Plastic Igniter Cord). We use this to, in effect, daisy chain multiple fireworks together. As it burns at a very reliable speed rate, we are able to use it to ignite fireworks bang on the second. When more accurate timings, down to a hundredth of a second are needed, we use an Electronic Igniter per firework, rather than linking them with PIC.

Jumping Jack, everybody’s old favourite
A Jumping Jack is a long narrow Kraft paper tube filled with gunpowder. It is rolled to flatten it then it is formed into a concertina and tied with string to keep this shape. When lit the straight sections burn slowly but each time the flame rounds a bend a sharp crack is produced and the firework flies off in a random direction. Jumping Jacks were great fun but joined a growing list the authorities considered too dangerous for us.

Kimbolton, one of the finest firework Manufacturers in the UK
Unfortunately, like many manufacturing industries in England, Firework manufacture was once prolific and profitable. With the introduction of Chinese importations, much firework manufacture was outsourced to China, resulting in the slow demise of our industry. Today, Kimbolton still manufacture fireworks for display use in the UK. We use many of their items to support the UK industry still surviving, and retail many of their consumer products – which we believe to be of excellent quality- online. Some people choose to fire thier own Wedding Fireworks, why not click here and take a peek at our Self Fire Displays.

Lancework - writing with fire!
Lancework is the art of writing with fire and is one of our firework display specialities. We purchase our Lances from Dean Fireworks, who are experts in this field. With a close relationship with our supplier, we are able to produce unique Lancework set-pieces such a colour changing Lances, a speciality that you will struggle to find elsewhere. A benefit to us in this respect is that we manage to have very vibrant colours. Many people today use what are known as smokeless lances. Although still of a good quality, they are less bright, and unable to achieve such vivid colours. In fact, White is un-achievable; instead they use a Ti-Nitrocellulose fountain to achieve a similar effect. Dean Firework’s quality speaks for itself.

Mine, an effect we like to use at the start of a firework display.
Mines essentially consist of a case or tube which contains a gunpowder charge at the bottom and stars and effects above this charge. Ignition is either instantaneous or after the display of a small fountain fixed through the top of the case. On firing a mine a bouquet of stars/effects is projected upwards which, being at low level can be very impressive. The variety is endless and includes whistles, hummers, schreechers, bangs, coloured and tailed stars.

Oxide, the fuel for the firework stars.
A pyrotechnic oxidiser is a substance which, when heated, gives off oxygen. All fireworks contain oxidisers and this enables them to burn the fuels they also contain. In gunpowder the oxidiser is Potassium Nitrate. In coloured stars the oxidiser is usually Potassium Perchlorate which burns at the higher temperature required for colour production. Fireworks would work in space where there is no oxygen.

Portfire, the lighter that burns whatever the weather!
A Portfire is a firework type used to ignite other fireworks. It is essentially a small fountain that you can hold in your hand. It burns extremely hot at the tip allowing you to light all types of Firework fuse from them. We believe them to be the best form of ignition available to the public, and as such, supply them free with every Self Ignition Firework Pack.

Queen, because our leader loves fireworks too!
Did you know that many years ago, Brocks Fireworks held a weekly display at Crystal Palace in London attracting thousands of people and dignitaries from all over the world? Our then Leaders were regular visitors.

Roman Candle, multi shot firework producing comets and bombettes.
Roman Candles are great for adding height to your display. Generally they fire higher than a cake. This is due to the length of the candle which acts as a mortar. Speed is gathered in this tube by the star or bombette, forcing it high into the sky. Roman candles are great additions to Wedding Fireworks as they are relitively quiet and full of colour. Infact a favourite of ours is a red glittering tail candle which can be used to accompany any Firework Display.

Sparkler, we all love them, but wear gloves!
Make sure you let the wire cool before picking them back up. A bucket of water or sand is a great place to put your spent sparklers in whilst they cool down. Sparklers can be as hot as 1000 Degrees Celsius, you can melt precious metals with that heat. Sirotechnics are able to supply sparklers as heavily discounted rates for your Firework Display. Please contact us for further information. 

Titanium, a composite in fireworks used to impart brilliant silver sparks to the flame.
Many of the loudest bangs you hear at a Firework Display will be known in the trade as Tit-Salutes (Titanium Salutes). Whilst primarily a bang, you will also see a very bright silver flash at approximately the same time, this is the Titanium within the firework burning extremely quickly. And yes some conversations do sound a little rude!

Ultimate, Firework Displays.
You are on the right website!

Variety, its what we always try to achieve with our products and firework displays.
All our firework displays are different, except of course, you see one of ours and request the same one again, it has been done before!

Willow, a beautiful hanging effect in the sky.
Willows are often used to end Firework Displays as they create a huge long lasting canopy in the sky. The name Willow comes from the fact that the charcoal used in the composition for the flame was originally derived from the Willow family of trees.  There are many similar firework effects also used often known as Brocades, Time rain and Snowflake. 

Xylene used as a solvent for gluing plastic shells and to mix whistle compositions.
Traditionally the casing for shells, were made from compressed cardboard and paper. Today, many of the Chinese shells we get in the UK still comprise of this method of manufacture. More recently in Europe and America, companies have been using plastic casings to make the hemis which form the shell. These are still biodegradable, but take longer to perish. They are less time consuming to make and can be joined together very quickly with xylene as opposed to the traditional lengthy process of wrapping the shell in paper mache strips. 

We are really struggling now, if you think of anything firework related please drop us an email.