The home of pyrotechnics and special effects since 1977

FAQs

 

Are there any requirements regarding receiving delivery of pyrotechnics?

This will vary State by State.

Le Maitre is allowed to ship 1.4 pyrotechnics to anyone, however the recipient may need an Import License

Some States require a Distribution and Import License however before the product can be used.

In all instances you should contact your local Fire Department to identify the requirements for your specific State.

 
 

Do I need a license to use Flame Machines?

In most US States you will need a license.

In the first instance you should contact your local Fire Department to see what is required in your jurisdiction, as it will be the State Fire Marshall's Office that issues licenses.

In addition your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) must approve each time before any flame products can be used.

 
 

Do I need a license to fire pyrotechnics?

In most US States you will need a license, but it does vary.

In the first instance you should contact your local Fire Department to see what is required in your jurisdiction, as it will be the State Fire Marshall's Office that issues licenses.

In addition your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) must approve each time before any pyrotechnics can be used.

 
 

How do I dispose of old pyrotechnics?

For small amounts of pyro (except Plastic Maroons and Microdets) you have 2 options:

1. You can attempt to fire the device outside at a safe distance.

2. You can immerse the device in a bucket of water for 24 hours. You should pierce any paper tops so that the water can easily permeate the device.

 
 

Where can I find the safety distances for your products?

You can find the safety distances for individual products in the specs boxes on the product pages of this website and also on the product or box label. These are the minimum distances set at the time of CE Certification where the testing was performed on an Outdoor Test Facility*.

These safety distances need to be taken into account along with any other factors that come up as part of your risk assessment. These many include actors/performers, the audience, scenery, props etc.

When this has been completed you may decide that you need to allow greater safety distances than those indicated. The risk assessment should always involve a test firing of the product in controlled conditions to familiarise yourself with the effect.

The angle of firing, also found in the specs boxes, should always be adhered to.

Safety distances given by Le Maitre only relate to the product when it is fired in an upright position and firing at different angles will obviously alter these distances and must be taken into account.

*Please note that a person with specialist knowledge (T2 user) can set their own minimum safety distances, provided that they have taken due consideration of the hazards and risks that any deviations they make might have. This is at the discretion of the T2 user and Le Maitre accept no responsibility in this case.

 
 

Will mobile phones or radios set off pyrotechnics?

No, there is not enough RF power in a hand-held radio device to induce enough current to blow an igniter bridgewire. We recommend that you keep all electrical devices away from pyrotechnics when they are being hand-held or loaded.

 
 

Will static electricity set off pyrotechnics?

There is a possibility that static electricity could ignite pyrotechnic compositions. Static discharge could cause the igniter to fire if the static discharge is directly across the fuse head of the igniter. A spark from body to ground through a composition could theoretically ignite pyrotechnic compositions. Common sense should be used: grounding yourself by touching a screw on a plug socket before handling pyrotechnics and avoiding wearing lots of synthetic clothing would minimize the risk of static problems.

 
 

Will pyrotechnics set off smoke alarms?

Yes. Some venues have the ability to set their fire alarm to performance mode. This isolates the smoke detectors in the performance area, but leaves the rest of the building protected. If the fire alarm does not have a performance mode, isolating the smoke detectors in the building can usually be done for the duration of the performance so long as the break glass call points are still active and that the venue staff are aware that the smoke detectors have been isolated. THE FIRE ALARM MUST NEVER BE SWITCHED OFF. You should always check with the venue to determine their procedures for isolating the fire alarm

 
 

What does 1.4G and 1.4S mean?

These warning diamonds relate to shipping and now also have relevance to storage.

The 1 means class 1 (explosives) the 4 is the hazard type. 4 means "Substances and articles that present no significant hazard".

The G and S are the compatibility groups. The definitions are:

G - A substance which is an explosive substance because it is designed to produce an effect by heat, light, sound, gas or smoke or a combination of these as a result of not-detonative self-sustaining exothermic chemical reactions, or an article containing such a substance. Or an article containing both a substance which is explosive because it is capable by chemical reaction in itself of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as could cause damage to surroundings and an illuminating, incendiary, lachrymatory or smoke-producing substance.

S - Substance or article so packed or designed that any hazardous effects arising from accidental functioning are confined within the package unless the package has been degraded by fire, in which case all blast or projection effects are limited to the extent that they do not significantly hinder or prohibit fire-fighting or other emergency response efforts in the immediate vicinity of the package.

 
 

I want a specific product made that you do not offer - can you help?

Yes, we have a dedicated team of pyrotechnic research professionals based at our Peterborough factory who will be able to build an effect to your specifications. Please note however that this process can be a lengthy one and we will only be able to proceed if the project is financially viable.

 
 

Can I use a pyro controller I built myself?

You should not use a home made controller unless it has been approved by us. There are many safety features built into our controllers to prevent accidental ignition. If you have an accident when using a home made firing system, the HSE will probably prosecute you. A home made firing system will not pass a local authority inspection.

 
 

How should I safely store pyrotechnics?

Storage requirements of pyrotechnics vary from State to State.

NFPA 1126 recommends that 1.4 pyrotechnics are stored in a locked cabinet. However local State requirements do differ so in all instances you are advised to check with your local Fire Department.

 
 

What is the warranty cover and procedure for hardware?

The Warranty Period
The warranty covers you for 12 months from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase/sale must accompany any warranty claim.

Parts & Labor Warranty Cover
The warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship related to manufacture.

What Is Not Covered?
The warranty does not cover damage as a result of abuse, poor maintenance or incorrect fluids*

*Only Le Maitre fluids should be used. Alternative fluids can damage equipment and will invalidate the warranty.

Warranty Returns Procedure
Obtain an RA (Return Authorization) number from our Service Department. The RA number must be clearly marked on the external packaging. Without this we cannot process your return.

Shipping is freight pre-paid to Le Maitre USA. Following repair, Le Maitre USA will pre-pay the return shipping back to your facility. If an express return shipment is required, this should be advised in advance and you will be required to cover the difference in cost.

Le Maitre USA Warranty Contact Details
For all warranty issues please contact our Service Department at service@lemaitreusa.com or call 702-843-5080.

 
 

Why do pyrotechnics use so much packaging?

As a manufacturer Le Maitre would like to be able to do away with any unnecessary packaging – both from a green perspective and of course from a cost perspective. Unfortunately due to the requirements of the Classification and Labelling of Explosives for Transport and Storage, soon to be superseded in the Manufacturing and Storage of Explosive Regulations 2014 (MSER), we are required to use inner “receptacles” made from paper, plastic, board, metal or wood to name a few for Classification purposes. This is required to allow for damage to outer packaging and possible spillage.

Some products, such as our Flames, are packaged in a plastic receptacle. This is required to enable us to ship anywhere in the world under Packaging Instruction E135, which is also a requirement for IATA and IMDG Shipments under the UN Rules. Product cannot be transported without the correct packing method being employed.

Many other products require a more robust inner pack to protect them from the rigours of transport also.

Wherever possible Le Maitre does try to be as green and cost effective as possible, but in the case of packaging and transport we are required to abide by the legislation that exists.

 

We have placed cookies on your computer to help make this website better. For more information please click here

By continuing to use this site or closing this panel, we'll assume you're OK to continue. You can view our full privacy policy here