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March 2005
Pyro 102- Safety Analysis in accordance to Regulations
By Marsha Mueller
Welcome back to our examination of the use of pyrotechnics in Worship services. As discussed in the previous article, the use of pyrotechnics in your facility takes careful planning and consideration. While research into Insurance, Fire Authorities, and Qualified Personnel were topics for the preceding article, the following points assist you to perform a Safety Analysis of the space you perform in while trying to determine which effects you may wish to use.
Regulations play a very important role in a Safety Analysis of the use of pyrotechnics. The National Fire Protection Association publishes NFPA 1126, Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics before a Proximate Audience. It is available either in hard copy or by download from www.nfpa.org, by calling 1-800-344-3555, or by writing to NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, PO Box 9101, Quincy, MA, 02269-9101. This standard is written and updated by fire officials, pyrotechnic manufacturers (Luna Tech, Inc. included), and other scientists, specialists, and authorities. This standard is often the basis of local and state regulations.
While NFPA 1126 covers a large range of issues, from general material such as definitions, transportation and storage requirements, and requirements for pyrotechnicians and permits, the Use of Pyrotechnics chapter shall be our first reference, as it covers some of the basic safety precautions.
Separation Distances to Audiences
Horizontal Clearance- Fifteen feet from the device to the audience, but not less than twice the fallout radius. This means that if you are using an effect which in testing has been shown to create sparks or glowing particles in excess of 15', you may have to increase this distance. No flaming or glowing particles are allowed within 10' of the audience.
Concussion Mortars- Twenty-five feet horizontally, and vertically. This effect creates a concussive boom, and you can often feel the sound wave hit your body. This effect must be used with caution, and special licensing is required for the materials for this effect.
Airbursts and other overhead effects- May be used over the audience when the airburst occurs at a minimum height of 3 times the diameter of the effect (i.e., a 10' diameter airburst must be suspended at least 30 feet above the nearest floor), and no burning or glowing particles fall below 15' above the floor. (Again, the nearest floor, don't forget choir risers or other platforms.) It is also listed in NFPA 1126 that 'the airburst must be suspended by a minimum 30 gauge metal wire that is attached securely to a secure support acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction'. These limits also apply to pyrotechnically propelled confetti cannons and airburst, as well as other effects mounted over the audience.
Vertical Clearance- The distance from where the device will be used or mounted, to overhead properties, equipment, or structures. You must pay attention to the ceiling! If you have a 25' ceiling, you are likely to be able to use most effects rated for 20 feet or less, which encompasses a wide range of available pyrotechnic devices. If you have a lower ceiling than this, you become quite limited in what you may use, though there is still a wide variety of effects available within this vertical clearance.
Manufacturers include vertical clearance information for all effects, either by marking each device or including the information in the instructions for the device. DO NOT accept this as the final word on the performance of the device. Always order extra product for demonstration to your authority having jurisdiction, as well as product testing in a safe (outdoor) area to determine true performance characteristics. The budget for this excess product cannot begin to pay for an incident causing damage or injury. True performance characteristics must be kept in mind when determining placement of the pyrotechnic devices, performers, technicians, and the audience, as well as the physical walls, floor, and ceilings around them.
If you are not able to meet these distances, you will have to limit your effects only to items your fire authority approves. There is an exception written in the standard to this point. Your pyrotechnician or pyrotechnic supplier should be able to recommend items for use in limited space.
Keep in mind that pyrotechnics are a three dimensional medium, and you must consider the space 360 degrees around the device, as well as the space above and below the device.
It is helpful to use the following exercise. Visualize a sphere around each device. This sphere should have the device in the center, the outer edges should be at least 15 feet from the center, and the top of the sphere should be at least the vertical safety clearance height (determined by the true performance characteristics, remember) of the device. Does the upper surface of the sphere need to be expanded to enclose the entire effect when it is fired? Is the floor solid, or is there something beneath it? Keep this sphere in mind as you consider the effects you desire, and where you would like to place them.
For each effect, consider the following questions. Does the outer edge of the sphere touch an audience seat or other structure? Does the top of the sphere touch overhead objects, such as curtains, overhead beams, or other structures? Does the side of the sphere touch anything? Are there items projecting into the space of the sphere? Is an actor or other participant within the sphere while the device is fired? This will help to determine if effects could be used where you would really like them, or if staging or scenery must be changed.
Once you have determined these measurements, you are ready to begin considering specific pyrotechnic effects for your show. You must also consider further factors of the physical space with safety analysis, which shall be outlined in the next installment of Pyrotechnics for Worship.
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