Safe Fireworks Storage

This article contains advice on storing your fireworks safely at home along with the current legal limits for each class of consumer firework. If you’re confused by the terms 1.3G, 1.4G, HT3 and HT4 then start by reading the Fireworks Classifications guide.

Basic storage advice

Fireworks contain explosives! That might sound like a statement of the blindingly obvious, but you need to get into the mindset that you are handling and storing explosives and not toys.

When storing fireworks at home the main things to ensure are:

• The fireworks are kept away from any sources of heat or ignition
• The fireworks are kept dry

Sources of heat or ignition include heaters, naked flames and people smoking.

Never smoke while handling fireworks!

It is essential that your fireworks are kept dry. Beware of storing fireworks outside in sheds which can get damp and avoid anywhere with significant changes of temperatures including greenhouses, conservatories and lofts which could result in condensation. If you must keep your fireworks in the shed, wrap them up tightly in well sealed bin liners or plastic bags.

Some more useful advice:

• Store fireworks in their original packaging (mail order fireworks will be supplied in tough cardboard cartons)
• Do not store fireworks with any other flammable materials including petrol, oil or paint
• If there is a possibility of children or animals having access to the fireworks, keep them stored in a lockable container or cabinet

Make use of your fireworks supplier! Many retailers are happy to store your fireworks for you until closer to your display. This is by far the safest option.

Fireworks being stored in a retailer's licenced store

Firework storage – the legal side summarised

Your consumer fireworks will be classed for transport as either 1.4G (0336) or 1.3G (0335) by the UN.  Fireworks supplied in their own individual boxes (referred to as “cartons” in the trade) will have an orange hazard diamond on the side to indicate their classification. For loose items, consult your retailer.

The storage laws are governed by MSER (Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005) which determine the legal limits for Hazard Type 3 (HT3) and Hazard Type 4 (HT4) items. Generally speaking it is safe to assume that 1.4G fireworks are Hazard Type 4 and 1.3G fireworks are Hazard Type 3. This is the assumption used for the remainder of this article however you must consult your fireworks supplier for confirmation of the exact hazard types of the fireworks you are buying.

All storage quantities relate to the Net Explosive Content, or NEC of the firework. This is not the same as the firework’s gross weight. For example, a firework may weigh 5kg but the actual NEC may only be 0.5kg. Your supplier should be able to tell you what the NEC of your fireworks is. If not, it can be estimated to be around one quarter of the firework’s total weight as a worst case scenario to work from.

In short, the limits for storing fireworks at home without registration are:

Hazard Type 4 (usually 1.4G):

• Up to 5kg NEC – store for an unlimited time
• Up to 50kg NEC – store for up to three weeks
• Up to 250kg NEC – store for up to three consecutive days and in their place of intended use

Hazard Type 3 (usually 1.3G):

• Up to 5kg NEC – store for an unlimited time
• Up to 100kg NEC – store for up to three consecutive days and in their place of intended use

As you can see the limits for HT3 fireworks are considerably more restrictive.

Note: Where there is a mix of HT4 and HT3 fireworks they are treated as if they were all HT3. In practical terms this means if 99% of your fireworks are labelled as 1.4G and you have a single 1.3G firework then legally all of your fireworks would be viewed for the purposes of storage as 1.3G and therefore the limits for HT3 could apply.

Storing larger quantities or for longer time

If your storage of fireworks will exceed the above limits either in terms of time or NEC, or if you want to store fireworks for commercial reasons, you may be required to register your fireworks storage or apply for a storage licence. This is done with your local licensing authority. This will usually be either Trading Standards or the local Fire Authority and they will be able to advise you further.

Firework storage – the legal side in more detail

As stated above the law covering the storage of fireworks is The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005. Here is a link for further reading which is the legislation in its original form (some small amendments have been made since but there is not currently an on-line version of it). It is recommended to put the kettle on first as this is a very long document:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051082.htm

These regulations state that no person shall store explosives unless they hold a licence for their storage and complies with the conditions of that licence. For consumers there are, however, relevant exceptions to this.

If a person is storing less than 5kg NEC, in total, a licence is not required, and this quantity may be stored for an unlimited time.

The regulations also allow for the storage, without a licence, of no more than 50kg NEC of HT4 (usually 1.4G) explosives consisting solely of fireworks provided that the fireworks are stored for no longer than 21 days and are not for sale or for use at work. This, effectively, allows for non-professional consumers to store fireworks to use privately in the three weeks prior to bonfire night without a licence.

However, this DOES NOT apply to HT3 (usually 1.3G) fireworks.

The regulation regarding the storage of HT3 fireworks is that if a person is storing between 5kg NEC and 100kg NEC of fireworks these can be stored for up to 3 consecutive days without a licence, and must be stored in their place of intended use.

The same time restriction of 3 consecutive days applies if a person is storing between 50kg and 250kg of HT4 fireworks only.

Changes to the regulations

It must be stressed that fireworks laws and regulations can and do change. This article should only be considered as correct at the time of going to press (spring 2011) and is not a substitute for up to date advice from your fireworks supplier or local licensing authority.

Disclaimer: This article is intended as a guide only. It is your responsibility to ensure you store your fireworks legally and UKFR accepts no responsibility if the information here is wrong. Please consult the above links, your retailer or your local licensing authority if you require formal clarification of UK fireworks storage laws. This is NOT an official guide.

With thanks to the UKFR members who helped research and write this article.

Further information

If you are working through the beginner’s “Start here!” guide you can return to it here. Or, pick a new help topic from the menus at the top of the page.

When you are ready to buy fireworks have a look at UKFR’s Buying Fireworks guide for advice and the Buy Fireworks page for a listing of fireworks suppliers. Always give these companies priority with your fireworks cash (find out why).

If you want to ask for help or have any other questions, try the UKFR Fireworks Forum. Beginners are warmly welcomed and the firework community here is standing by to help you.