Beyond the Launch: A Safety Checklist for Display Day

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You’ve done the hard work of planning. Your site has been selected, your permits are approved, and the fireworks are on location. Now, it's showtime. But the planning doesn't stop when the sun goes down. The operation of the display itself is governed by a strict set of safety rules designed to protect everyone involved.

Based on Chapter 8 of the NFPA 1123 code, here is a plain-English guide to the essential safety procedures and responsibilities for the day of the show.

The Chain of Command: Who's in Charge?

On the display site, there is a clear command structure. The **Operator** is the person with overall and primary responsibility for safety. It’s the operator's job to determine how many assistants are needed to run the show safely and to ensure all assistants are trained for their specific tasks. While the **Sponsor** (the group paying for the show) arranges for things like fire protection and crowd control monitors, the operator is the ultimate authority on all safety matters during the display.

Gearing Up: The Right Attire for the Job

Working in a fireworks discharge site is serious business, and it requires proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Anyone present in the discharge area while fireworks are being fired must wear the following gear:

Head protection
Eye protection
Hearing protection
Foot protection
Cotton, wool, or similarly flame-resistant, long-sleeved, and long-legged clothing

Additionally, there are strict rules about ignition sources. All smoking materials, matches, or lighters are prohibited within 50 feet of any area where fireworks are present. The only open flames allowed are the specific tools used to ignite the fireworks, like fusees or portfires.

During the Firing: Eyes on the Sky

A crucial role during the display belongs to the **Spotter**. This person (or persons) has one main job: to watch the flight and behavior of the fireworks. They are the second set of eyes ensuring everything is functioning as intended and that hazardous debris or duds are falling into the designated fallout area.

If a spotter detects any unsafe condition—like debris falling toward the audience—they must be in direct communication with the **Shooter** (the person igniting the fireworks) to signal them to cease firing immediately until the situation is corrected.

When to Postpone or Stop the Show

Safety always comes first. The operator or the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) must halt or postpone the display if any hazardous condition exists. According to the code, these conditions include:

Lack of Crowd Control: If the crowd is not staying in the designated spectator area and poses a hazard, the show must be stopped until the situation is resolved.
Adverse Weather: If high winds, heavy precipitation, or other bad weather conditions create a hazard, the display must be stopped until conditions improve.
Emergency Intrusion: If any emergency personnel need to enter the fallout area or security perimeter for any reason, the display must be halted until the situation is resolved and the area is clear again.

After the Finale: The Cleanup and Misfires

The job isn't done when the last shell bursts. The post-show procedures are critical for safety.

If a shell fails to fire from its mortar (a "dud"), that mortar must be marked, and no one should approach or handle the misfired shell for **at least 15 minutes**. After the waiting period, the unfired firework must be carefully handled, often by dousing it with water, and then disposed of according to the supplier's instructions.

Finally, the entire crew must conduct a search of the fallout area to locate any unexploded shells. For a show at night, this inspection must happen immediately after the display and then **again at first light the following morning** to ensure no hazardous materials are left behind.