There are good reasons why Burners say “Happy New Year!” when the Man burns. Yes, your year comes to revolve around Burning Man after a couple of trips out to the desert. But the more obvious reason is that the thing blows up like New Year’s Eve to the power of the Fourth of July. For that, we can thank world-class pyrotechnics experts, and you don’t live to be one of those unless you practice the craft of exploding things very carefully, using the following guidelines.
Pyrotechnics Definition
Pyrotechnics refers to the art, craft and science of fireworks, which includes any explosives or projectiles. All pyrotechnic special effects material used in any artwork or performance must consist of consumer fireworks [1.4G Class C, UN0336] or less.
Absolutely NO HOMEMADE FIREWORKS, nor DISPLAY (PROFESSIONAL) FIREWORKS [1.3G CLASS B, UN0335] or higher, will be permitted in any artwork or performance.
Safety Guidelines for Pyrotechnics
Allowed Uses of Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics may only be used at Burning Man in art installations and performances on the open playa that have been registered with the Art Department and approved by the Fire Arts Safety Team (FAST).
ABSOLUTELY NO PYROTECHNICS SHALL BE USED WITHIN THE CITY OR CAMPING AREA.
Consumer Grade Fireworks Only
Fireworks used in these projects are limited to consumer grade [1.4G Class C, UN0336] fireworks. This includes fountains (also known as gerbs), sparklers, night displays or cakes.
For reasons of safety and event stipulations we do not allow the use of display grade [1.3G class B, UN0335] fireworks.
No pyrotechnics made by anyone other than a licensed manufacturer of consumer grade pyrotechnics will be permitted on site. This is due to the unknown reliability and consistency of the product, which could prove harmful to participants.
Fireworks Debris
Burning Man encourages artists to consider using fireworks that create the least amount of debris. For instance, firecrackers create a lot of debris, but magic whip (sometimes referred to as firecracker rope) creates very little debris. Multi-shot devices or cakes are filled with small cardboard discs that are projected and spread for great distances. When choosing products for display, choose devices with the least amount of wrapping, inserts, foils and other potential debris. Post-display, the entire fallout area must be promptly swept for debris before it is trampled into the playa surface or is blown away by the wind.
Storage of Pyrotechnic Material
All pyrotechnic material must be securely stored. FAST will work with you to provide a place for safe storage of your product onsite.
Preparation and Assembly of Pyrotechnic Devices
Wherever pyrotechnics are being prepared, assembled or placed, a surrounding 100′ (30m) zone free of open flame, spark-producing equipment, smoking or storage of combustible materials must be enforced.
Pyrotechnic Operators and Assistants
- Pyrotechnic special effects operators must be 21 years of age or older. Technical assistants only need to be 18 years old.
- Only people familiar with the safety considerations and hazards involved are permitted to handle pyrotechnic materials.
- All personnel involved in setting up or firing the show are required to wear fire resistant clothing and personal head, eye and hearing protection.
- All personnel involved in setting up or firing the show must be trained in the use of fire extinguishers.
- No carelessness, negligence, or unsafe conditions with pyrotechnics shall be tolerated.
- Do not drink alcohol, take drugs, or smoke when working with pyrotechnics.
Safety Perimeters
An appropriate safety perimeter is required for both set-up and firing of a pyrotechnics show. A member of FAST will advise on the correct perimeter size.
You will need a minimum of one front-line person on your perimeter crew for every 15 feet of the perimeter’s circumference.
Plan to establish the perimeter early enough to allow plenty of time for preparation of the burn, bearing in mind that things rarely go according to plan on the playa.
Make sure that members of your perimeter crew can be easily identified and distinguished from other participants by providing day-glo safety vests for them to wear over their jackets or other outerwear.
The artist and their Fire Safety Liaison agree that the safety perimeter shall be of such size that no pyrotechnics, flame, spark or fallout will cross or land outside the perimeter, nor enter, go over, under, on, or around the audience.
Please be sure to read the detailed information about setting up and managing a perimeter in the Safety Perimeters section of the Open Fire Guidelines.
Fire Extinguishers
Artist and their Fire Safety Liaison agree to have an adequate number of the right types of fire extinguishers on hand during show set-up to extinguish accidental fires.
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all products used in the pyrotechnic display must be available at the installation when the show is being set up, to guide clean-up activities in case of a material spill, and to provide to emergency medical personnel in case of accidental exposure.
Shooting the Show
- Artist agrees that the pyrotechnics display will not start until all performers, safety monitors, and participants are in place and ready, and FAST has granted approval in the form of a signed pyrotechnics laminate.
Safety sweeps are required:
- Before the show starts to identify hazards that may have developed since the pyrotechnics were placed;
- After firing but before perimeter release to identify and mitigate undetonated pyrotechnics or other hazards.
Questions
Here are email addresses where you may direct questions concerning:
Art installations in general: art@burningman.org
Open Fire: fire-art@burningman.org
Flame Effects: flame-effects@burningman.org
Pyrotechnics: pyro@burningman.org
Registration and Approval
Read all about how to register your pyrotechnics project and get it approved.