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Organising a Large Display

It is safer to attend an organised display than to arrange your own display.  Find organised displays in your area on our Bonfire and Firework Displays page.  However if you do feel the need to organise your own, ensure it is as safe as possible by following our guidance below - select the appropriate tab to read the guidance.

Bonfire

Share the load and keep the authorities involved

  • Running a display takes a lot of work, so try to share the load by planning ahead
  • Set up a committee whose members can each take responsibility for a particular task (including one person to be in charge of all safety arrangements)
  • Be clear on who will do what and when
  • Be sure each member has a photocopy of this guide and follows its advice
  • If possible, try to recruit at least one person with previous experience of firework displays
  • Remember - fireworks not marked with 'Complies with BS7114 Part 2 1988' are suitable for use only by professionals
  • The display should start and finish at the advertised times
  • You should inform the following organisations to ensure that they are aware of your event:
  1. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service
  2. Northumbria Police
  3. Your local authority:

Tyne and Wear Councils

Newcastle City Council, Sunderland City Council, Gateshead Council, North Tyneside Council, South Tyneside Council

Don't forget it's a busy time for the authorities - give them plenty of warning so that they can help you in time.

What can I do in advance?

As much as possible! As well as liaising with the local authority, police, Fire and Rescue and first aid organisations, you or your appropriate team member should:

  • Arrange for your fireworks to be delivered and stored securely (and circulate the manufacturers' general instructions to your team)
  • Arrange for you and your team to be trained in the various tasks for the night, including all emergency drills
  • Arrange for first aid posts to be manned by qualified people. Borrow or hire special clothing (bibs, jackets etc) to identify you and your team on the night
  • Arrange some form of public address system - as a safety measure, not just for commentary. A loud hailer will do as a bare minimum
  • Arrange for fire extinguishers, buckets of water, buckets of sand and metal litter bins to be available on the night
  • Check that plenty of electrical torches will be available on the night, with full batteries
  • Publicise the fact that spectators are not allowed to bring their own fireworks (including sparklers) and will not be admitted if they do so
  • Prepare all necessary signs
  • Make absolutely sure that you'll have enough people available on the night (including some cover for illness)
  • Draw up a detailed checklist of tasks and indicate who is responsible for each one
  • Check whether you are adequately insured to cover any firework-related injuries to those present at the display
  • Vet any traders you allow on the site
  • Animals can be terrified of fireworks. Warn your neighbours and local farmers in advance so that they can keep pets indoors and take other necessary precautions

Information adapted from Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform leaflet  

The location


How much space?

  • As much as possible
  • Allow at least 50m x 20m for your firing area. Beyond this, you will need a dropping zone for spent fireworks of 100m x 50m in the downwind direction
  • Spectators should be kept back on the opposite side from the dropping zone at least 25m from the firing zone

What's the best site?

  • A clear and well-mown area, free from obstructions well away from any building, trees and hazards like overhead cables, with as many safe entrances and exits as possible. These must be away from the firing area and dropping zone.

  • Make sure that all entrances and exits are well lit, clearly signposted and kept free from obstructions.

  • Clear away any undergrowth or very long grass.

  • Have plenty of (metal) litter bins around the site.

  • Make sure you can cater properly for disabled spectators.

  • Watch out for any animals likely to be housed nearby.

What about car parking?

Falling fireworks can cause damage so site any designated car parking well away from your display area and dropping zone, and upwind of the display. Signpost any car park clearly and make sure that the entrance is quite separate from pedestrian access. Do not permit parking anywhere else.

 

How do I organise spectators?

  • Proper crowd control is essential and needs good planning

  • Arrange for some stewards to be responsible for just this - at least one steward for every 250 spectators. Their job won't be finished until the display is over, and the site has been cleared and made safe

  • Your stewards should be easy to identify, perhaps wearing flourescent bibs or jackets

  • Be certain that your team knows what to do in an emergency and have practised safety drills

  • Spectators must not be allowed into your display area. If they do encroach, stop the display immediately. Prepare and erect signs to clearly show the area.

  • Beware of overcrowding - seek advice from the Police and follow it

  • Fireworks and alcohol don't mix. This will make crowd control more difficult

  • None of the organisers should have alcoholic drinks

  • Do not allow spectators to enter the site with their own fireworks - even sparklers. Make sure there are signs explaining this at all entrances

 

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Warning

You should be aware that the CAA has guidelines for organisers of major events using fireworks near airports.

How do I let the fireworks off?


  • With great care at all stages
  • Recruit people with previous experience of firework displays. Have as few people as possible actually involved with the fireworks
  • Do not allow smoking by your team when fireworks are being handled, or at any time during the display
  • Unpack fireworks with great care and well away from any open fire, naked flame or flammable material. Remember that they are fragile and can easily be broken. Keep fireworks in a secure box which is kept closed
  • Before lighting any firework, read the instructions on it carefully (by torchlight)
  • Make sure that the wind and the display are angled away from spectators
  • For lighting display type fireworks, a device called a Portfire is often provided by the manufacturer. Use Portfires when available and always light fireworks at arm's length. Keep unused Portfires in a metal or wooden box and never carry them in pockets
  • Alternative forms of safety lighter, such as a slow match, are often available
  • Never use matches or lighters for lighting fireworks at a display. If any firework fails to go off, don't go back to it. It could still be live, and could go off in your face. Half an hour is the absolute minimum time to wait before you consider approaching it again
  • A sudden change of wind could cause fireworks to fall dangerously among spectators. In very windy weather, you should consider putting off the display altogether, however disappointing that may be

What about a bonfire?


  • If, after careful consideration, you do decide to have a bonfire, make one person responsible for it, from early planning to final clearing up
  • Don't site it too near your display or firework storage area
  • Keep the height of the bonfire under six metres, preferrably under three metres at semi-public events. Build it to collapse inwards as it burns.
  • Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion
  • Check immediately before lighting that there are no animals or even young children hidden inside
  • Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they're duds
  • Don't burn dangerous rubbish (eg aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture)
  • Remove any rubbish from your bonfire area in advance so there's nothing that can be thrown onto the fire on the night
  • In dry weather, damp down the bonfire site. Remove the top layer of turf and replace it when the site is cold. Any debris left over from preparing the site should be placed well away from the bonfire
  • Do not build bonfires on peat, as peat fires can spread underground and emerge some distance away
  • The bonfire should not be lit before the fireworks display unless the display is sufficiently far removed
  • A barrier at a distance of 11 times the bonfire's height will keep spectators far enough away. In strong winds, flying brands from the bonfire will go further, in which case you must move the barrier further back.

Make your display a success

  • Remind the public not to bring their own fireworks to the event Keep sparklers away from fireworks by having a separate area cordoned off
  • Do not give sparklers to under 5s and wear gloves when handling them
  • Ensure spent sparklers are out by putting them in a bucket of water
  • Good publicity is essential. If possible, appoint a publicity officer who will be in charge of press and advertising the event. Distribute flyers / posters around the local area
  • Have other events during the display like competitions, fancy dress, a licensed bar, hot food, disco etc.

Firefighting equipment

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service can advise on adequate fire-fighting equipment, which could include:

  • water fire extinguishers

  • a hose (if mains water supply is available)

  • buckets of water

  • buckets of sand

  • fire beaters

  • a fire blanket.

When it's all over

  • The work for you and your team doesn't finish when the last firework goes off
  • Spectators need to be cleared safely from the site
  • Bonfire needs to be put out completely
  • Gather spent firework cases
  • Clear the site and ensure it is safe for people and animals to use again

Gathering spent fireworks


  • With a torch, use tongs, or some other suitable tool and wear strong gloves
  • Don't allow any children to collect firework cases
  • Burning the spent cases is potentially dangerous and should be done with great care only after all your spectators have gone
  • If any fireworks look as if they haven't gone off at least half an hour after the display, douse them in a bucket of water and ask the Fire and Rescue Service for advice
  • Aerial shells should be doused in a bucket of water and then buried deep in the ground
  • Finally, empty all the litter bins, remove any other rubbish, take down all your signs and leave the site as clear as possible and completely safe. You might want to go back the next morning to check everything in daylight
  • If any outside organisations are present at your display - Fire and Rescue Service, Police, first aid etc - don't forget to 'sign off' with them at the end of the evening
Guidance for Registered / Licensed Storage of Fire
Guidance for Registered / Licensed Storage of Fire - [90 KB] Guidance note outlining key legislation for the registerred/licensed storage of fireworks. [pdf] [27kb]