What is the Law on Arranging Firework Displays?

Pyrotechnics Legislation in England and Wales

Sep 4, 2009

There are strict laws about the purchase and use of fireworks in the UK. So how can an event organiser make sure a pyrotechnic display doesn't fall foul of the rules?

England’s traditional day for firework displays is Bonfire Night on November 5th which commemorates the failure of Guy Fawkes to blow up Parliament in the 1600s. But in recent years, pyrotechnics have become a more and more common part of many other celebrations such as weddings and cultural festivals. So just what is the legislation in England and Wales about the sale and use of fireworks?

Where and How Can Fireworks be Purchased?

Legislation introduced into England and Wales in 2004 put restrictions on the sale of fireworks and introduced the concept of “licensed” dealers and an “open” season where any retailer who was not licensed could sell fireworks. It also introduced the concept of “adult” fireworks and an age limit on the possession of such adult fireworks.

The new law also brought in a general period of pyrotechnic curfew between 11pm and 7am when it becomes an offence to let off fireworks with exceptions for New Year’s Eve, Bonfire Night, Diwali and Chinese New Year as these are considered traditional fireworks display times. Details of the curfew start times for those days are given below.

Firework Curfew Extensions and Open Firework Retail Selling Season

Any retailer wanting to sell fireworks all year round needs to be licensed by the local Trading Standards Department. The only times when non-licensed shop keepers can sell fireworks are based around traditional firework display dates. The following list gives those annual days and times:

What are Adult Fireworks and the Offences Associated with Them?

Adult fireworks are classed as any firework except caps (e.g. for cap guns), the snap strip found in Christmas and other types of crackers, novelty matches, slithery serpent type indoor fireworks, throw down fireworks and most sparklers. It is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of adult fireworks in a public place.

Parts of the old Explosives Act of 1875 are still in force – including the section which says that it is an offence for anyone (not just under 18s) to let off fireworks in the street, any public place such as a park or a beach, a highway or thoroughfare. A back garden is not classed as a public place.

What are the Penalties for Breaking Fireworks Law?

The law gives guidance as to the type of penalty that can be applied to anyone found breaking it. In the case of breaking the curfew times, the penalty is a fine up to a maximum of £5000 or six months imprisonment or both. Charges may also be brought under breach of the peace legislation.

Penalties applied for lesser incidents of firework misuse include issuing a Penalty Notice for Disorder. This is a fixed on the spot fine of, currently, £80.00. If youngsters, particularly, continue to misuse fireworks in public places, then other measures such as Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or Acceptable Behaviour Contracts may be used.

Making Sure Firework Celebrations are Lawful

Anyone organising a firework display for an event should make sure the pyrotechnics are sourced from licensed fireworks suppliers and that the timing and place of the display is in accordance with the rules. Given the safety issues and potential legal minefield, it’s probably best to hire professional firework display operators to make sure the show goes with a bang rather than the clang of a prison cell door.

It should be noted that this legislation applies to England and Wales only. Other countries or jurisdictions may, and probably do, have different rules. Event organisers may also be interested in the article The Dangers of Sky Lanterns which highlights the implications and safety issues of using chinese lanterns at celebrations.

The copyright of the article What is the Law on Arranging Firework Displays? in Large Scale Entertaining is owned by Elaine Findlay. Permission to republish What is the Law on Arranging Firework Displays? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.