Clarification on the Sale & Use of Articles Pyrotechnic 

In response to requests from numerous government agencies and code enforcement entities, the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) offers the following clarification regarding Articles Pyrotechnic UN0431, 1.4G and Articles Pyrotechnic UN0432 1.4S, as well as UN0336 1.4G Fireworks, For Professional Use Only.

The American Pyrotechnics Association 87-1C Standard for Construction, Classification, Approval and Transportation of Entertainment Industry and Technical Pyrotechnics, incorporated by reference in 49 CFR §171.7, is a recognized industry standard for the construction, classification, approval, and transportation of entertainment industry and technical pyrotechnics.

The APA further submits that products approved and classified under 49 CFR §171.7 (which incorporates by reference APA Standard 87-1C) are not regulated by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Therefore, UN0431 1.4G and UN0432 1.4S Articles Pyrotechnic for technical purposes or UN0336 1.4G Professional Use Only products permitted under APA Standard 87-1C shall be used only by qualified operators in compliance with NFPA 1123 & 1126 as appropriate, or in accordance with established state and local regulations.

These products shall not be sold to, distributed to, or used by consumers.

November 2022

Fire Service Emergency Response 

Emergency Response for Consumer Fireworks
Emergency Response for Display Fireworks

A fire or explosion can have serious consequences at a fireworks manufacturing plant or warehouse, or if a vehicle transporting fireworks is involved in an accident. Therefore, knowledge of the appropriate emergency action to be taken by the fire service or emergency response personnel in the event of an incident is critical. 

In the event of fire or explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant, all employees are instructed to immediately evacuate the site.

Fire service and emergency responders should never attempt to fight a fire that has reached buildings used for manufacturing.

Consumer fireworks (1.4G) contain limited amounts of powder per item. A fire involving sealedshipping cartons of consumer fireworks will burn for an extended time, as the fire spreads through the unburned cartons. Individual items will ignite and burn, and the fire may get quite intense, but large-scale testing by the government and the fireworks industry has shown that there should not be a mass explosion.

In the event of a fire involving consumer fireworks, the fire service or emergency responders should direct their efforts primarily to preventing the spread of the fire, although a fire involving only consumer fireworks can normally be extinguished by water deluge, if necessary. Keep all non-emergency personnel away from the fire area.

As with any fire, avoid breathing the smoke from a fireworks fire. The smoke, however, should not pose an unusual health hazard.

When display fireworks or aerial shells (1.3G) are involved in a fire situation, it is very serious and could result in a mass explosion. Fire service and emergency responders must evacuate the plant and/or warehouse and surrounding area immediately.

Never attempt to fight a fire involving display fireworks.

For additional information, refer to Emergency Response Sheets for Consumer and Display Fireworks.