Firework storage safety - is there any?

[Digga]

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

[Digga]

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.

[Digga]

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.

[Digga]

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.

[Digga]

Here's one theory you can file under 'forget': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsVhMnPM64

No idea where the hell it came from.