Pyrotechnics

Overview

Pyrotechnics are inherently dangerous and should only be handled by trained professionals. Most representation in film and television can safely be accomplished using visual effects in post-production. Because of this, and it not part of the school’s learning outcomes, the use of pyrotechnics on set is prohibited.

This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Flashboxes
• Flashpods
• Fireworks (see below)
• Explosives
• Squibs
• Blanks

Fireworks

With the exception of novelty fireworks, the use of consumer and professional fireworks are prohibited from use of UCF coursework and productions.

Novelty Fireworks

A novelty firework is a consumer firework containing very small amounts of pyrotechnic and/or explosive composition but does not legally fall under the categories of a daytime or nighttime fireworks. Such devices produce limited visible or audible effects.

Students are permitted to use novelty fireworks during production, but they can only be used as instructed by the manufacturer and not as improvised weapons or explosive. A Class-B fire extinguisher and a water bucket must be present on set and staged near the use of novelty fireworks. The bucket of water shall be used to douse the firework to ensure that there are no remaining embers.

They are not covered by our general liability insurance, so each use must be approved the instructor-of-record and the Risk Management Panel.

Novelty Examples Include:

• Party Poppers — a string is pulled to activate a small charge, confetti is then projected into the air and produces a report.
• Snaps — a small paper bag typically filled with gravel and a few micrograms of silver fulminate, it will produce a small report when thrown at a hard surface or stepped on.
• Paper Tanks and Vehicles — when lit, these small paper vehicles emit sparks that and move around on the ground, they commonly produce a loud report at the end.
• Ground Bloom Flowers — a small cylinder that spins on the ground and changes color in such a way that it resembles a flower.
• Snakes (Black snake) — a small, compressed pellet that, when lit, expands into a long snake-like object that leaves ash on the ground.

Sparklers are also permitted, but student productions are strongly advised to take caution when using them. They operate at very high temperatures when lit (1800°F to 3000°F) and can easily burn users or ignite flammable clothing, furniture, carpet, and other materials.

Safety Bulletin

Students should also familiarize themselves with the guidelines in the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee Safety Bulletin #16 – Recommended Guidelines for Safety with Pyrotechnic Special Effects.