Firework storage safety - is there any?

Firework storage safety - is there any?

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Digga

Original Poster:

40,201 posts

282 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Out walking the dogs up on the hills overlooking Stafford last night and at first I wondered why an organised bonfire and firework display was being held quite so early. Sadly, it transpires this was a fire in a firework factory, there are two people in hospital, others with minor ailments and injuries and two missing. Today there are numerous businesses suffering forced closure, due to the ongoing hazard and cleanup.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffor...

It could actually have been worse - the site is close to the West Coast Main Line.

Whilst this one is close to home, I am aware there have been a number of other firework store/factory fires in recent years.

I had a quick look for regulations but could not see any specifics with regard to manufacturing and storing large quantities of fireworks - other than the plain fact you need a licence - and wonder whether:
a.) there are guidelines and measures to isolate the stores so fires cannot spread and,
b.) whether they need review

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Most shops selling fireworks will have a sign somewhere saying that they're licenced. Years back Woolworths had them kept in a locked room which was separate to the main store room and in metal boxes (from memory). The fact that at the one you're talking about someone has been arrested suggests to me that all the fire rules in the world might not have helped.

Digga

Original Poster:

40,201 posts

282 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
From what I see, the fireworks stored are not in metal boxes. I can't find any rules specific to this, but this does not exactly fill me with confidence: http://www.firework-review.org.uk/safe-fireworks-s...

I can't see that in this warehouse, with the speed the thing went up, that there could possibly be any fire-proof containers. Friends of friends on FB were there - one of them working at the place - and said they had to move very swiftly to get out. Not good.

It seems a major failing to me if that is the case. I own a factory and just to keep a few tins of pain thinners in the shop we have to have a lockable metal storage chest.

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
it probably comes down to known risk for the fire brigade. in your place, as mine all the flamables are kept together, the firebrigade is careful around there, etc. All the metal boxes in the world aren't going to put the fireworks out: the unit is essentially the metal box, the firebrigade stands back. Woolworths and other shops don't normally stock fireworks, hence they need their special metal box. Same applies to the factory/distributors of the paint thinner etc: its not kept locked away beyond being in a known flammable place.
Without knowing whats gone on, for some one to be arrested it sounds like theres a level of intent and so preventing the fire will be harder.

Vaud

50,282 posts

154 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Woolworths haven't stocked them for years wink

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Vaud said:
Woolworths haven't stocked them for years wink
I haven't worked there for years either wink

Digga

Original Poster:

40,201 posts

282 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
mcdjl said:
Without knowing whats gone on, for some one to be arrested it sounds like theres a level of intent and so preventing the fire will be harder.
I don't disagree with that, aside from this, the firms' parent company Stafford Plastics Limited, looks as though it is being wound up - any business fire in such circumstances is a bit suspect.

However, even with intent, there should be measure to at least slow if not prevent the spread of fire.

To my mind, eyewitness comments and the numbers of people caught up in the fire suggest
a.) a very rapid escalation of the fire and
b.) little to no isolation of the stored goods from fire

I actually know the industrial unit fairly well - know who owns it - and wouldn't say it is anything other than an ordinary crinkly tin shed type place - like a million other such premises and the one I work in too. Not ideal for confining a fire like that.


FurtiveFreddy

8,577 posts

236 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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Digga said:
From what I see, the fireworks stored are not in metal boxes. I can't find any rules specific to this, but this does not exactly fill me with confidence: http://www.firework-review.org.uk/safe-fireworks-s...

I can't see that in this warehouse, with the speed the thing went up, that there could possibly be any fire-proof containers. Friends of friends on FB were there - one of them working at the place - and said they had to move very swiftly to get out. Not good.

It seems a major failing to me if that is the case. I own a factory and just to keep a few tins of pain thinners in the shop we have to have a lockable metal storage chest.
Put fireworks, or any relatively low power explosive, into a sealed metal box and you have then effectively made things much worse if they do accidentally ignite. Same principle as a pipe bomb.

Fireworks factories/storage areas often look very ramshackle because the buildings are purposely designed and constructed in a way so as not to confine any accidental ignitions.

Having said that, they should be sited in the middle of nowhere, just in case...

Digga

Original Poster:

40,201 posts

282 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
FurtiveFreddy said:
Having said that, they should be sited in the middle of nowhere, just in case...
This one most certainly was not - a quick Google maps for "Tilcon Avenue, Stafford" will illustrate.

Back in 2006 two firefighters were killed in a firework factory fire in Essex. I know of two other fires besides this. Seems to me a pretty dangerous business to not be well isolated.

I realise confining the detonations will risk them being more concentrated and powerful, but you would think there were better screening, partitioning or containment methods than merely having the things in cadboard boxes on shelves and racks.

FurtiveFreddy

8,577 posts

236 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Agreed, the location isn't exactly isolated.

Without knowing more detail, it's difficult to say if they were doing anything wrong in terms of the storage. It'll come out in the wash presumably.

Digga

Original Poster:

40,201 posts

282 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Here's one theory you can file under 'forget': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsVhMnPM64

No idea where the hell it came from.

mcdjl

5,438 posts

194 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Digga said:
Here's one theory you can file under 'forget': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsVhMnPM64

No idea where the hell it came from.
I wish I had an imagination that good!

FurtiveFreddy

8,577 posts

236 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Digga said:
Here's one theory you can file under 'forget': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsVhMnPM64

No idea where the hell it came from.
So, the Pope has a cat on his head and his head catches fire so the eagle flies off with a rabbit.
And that means the end of the world is nigh?

Have I got that right?

TheRealFingers99

1,996 posts

127 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
My mum used to live about 400 yards (as the crow flies) from there! Thought the street name was familiar. I think the nearest dwelling is probably 200 yards away.

Not sure how you'd contain them practically. Metal boxes would tend to keep out sparks and flames, but restrict the possibility of seeing what was happening inside and generate shrapnel if the lot did go up. An inert atmosphere would prevent external sources of combustion, but there would be a significant asphyxiation risk to anyone working there and not prevent combustion through static, etc.

CamMoreRon

1,237 posts

124 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Digga said:
Here's one theory you can file under 'forget': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsVhMnPM64

No idea where the hell it came from.
Seems legit.

laugh

FurtiveFreddy

8,577 posts

236 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
An alternate theory:


THX

2,348 posts

121 months

Friday 31st October 2014
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First year I've had to keep fireworks in the house, so, for safety, I've kept them all in a bath full of cold water.

I've even locked the bathroom door (from the inside, I climbed out the window) just to stop the kids from pinching one and sneaking off to their friends house. Little Devils, never can be too careful LOL.

I'll dry them out in the oven turned down low nearer bonfire night.

Foppo

2,344 posts

123 months

Friday 31st October 2014
quotequote all
Iam very carefull with fireworks had a banger if that is what you call them exploding in my face.

New years eve I was a young kid.Luckily shut my eyes as it exploded.Burned face and plenty of pain.>smile

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
quotequote all
The Lewes fire was spectacular and visible from miles away. Seem to recall the owner of the site was detained at her majestys pleasure as well.

It would seem sensible for those facilities to be in remote locations so that they only affect themselves. I would be surprised if many insurance companies are happy with insuring them in populated areas due tot he likliehood of claims from neighbours etc.

TVR1

5,460 posts

224 months

Saturday 1st November 2014
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Shinobi said:
I work closely with the industry and despite what the media is saying, we have no firework factory's in the UK. .
I think Brocks Fireworks would disagree