ISO 21583:2020

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 21583
First edition
2020-09
Firework displays — General guidance
Artifices de divertissement — Lignes directrices générales
Reference number
ISO 21583:2020(E)
©
ISO 2020

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ISO 21583:2020(E)

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© ISO 2020
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Types, safety distance and categories of fireworks displays . 3
4.1 Types of fireworks display . 3
4.2 Safety distance. 3
4.2.1 General. 3
4.2.2 Factors that should be considered for the determination of safety distances. 3
4.2.3 Determination of safety distance . 4
4.3 Categories of firework display . 4
5 Operating technology of fireworks displays . 4
5.1 Personnel . 4
5.2 Site . 4
5.3 Operation plan . 5
5.4 Products, equipment and auxiliary materials and tools . 7
5.5 Installation . 7
5.5.1 Installation of articles . 7
5.5.2 Installation of mortars . 8
5.5.3 Loading, connecting and testing of shells. 9
5.6 Ignition . 9
5.7 Suspension or termination of displays .10
6 Safety management .10
7 Risk analysis .11
Annex A (informative) Reference Data of Safety Distances .12
Annex B (informative) Categories of Fireworks Displays .15
Annex C (informative) Internal Distances and Examples of Installation of Shell Mortars .16
Bibliography .23
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/ directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/ patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso .org/
iso/ foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 264, Fireworks.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/ members .html.
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

Introduction
This document is intended to provide guidance on the organization of fireworks displays carried out by
professionals in countries where such events are not fully covered by national legislation or industry
codes of practice.
The target readership for this document is the following:
— the parties involved in fireworks displays;
— the designing, operating and management personnel for fireworks displays;
— the relevant authorities in charge of monitoring fireworks displays.
The recommendations of the present guidance were drawn up with a view to improve the approach of
public safety where national provisions may be inadequate. In no case they are a full guarantee against
the hazards and risks of the use of fireworks. Other practices may exist leading to better results and
possible revisions of the present guidance. Organizers and operators of fireworks displays should be
aware that the proposed recommendations are only a step on the way toward better practices and that
only risk analyses can lead to maximize public safety in real and foreseeable conditions of firing, taking
into account local culture and risk acceptability and the conditions that prevail when the display is
fired. The examples given in this document are provided reference for the countries where they may be
applicable.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 21583:2020(E)
Firework displays — General guidance
1 Scope
This document provides guidance on the operation of fireworks displays by professional teams of
people with specialized knowledge. It is not applicable to the use of theatrical pyrotechnic articles
on stage, in filming locations, or any other locations. It is not applicable to displays that involve only
fireworks of categories 1, 2 and 3.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
fireworks displays
operations that are carried out at certain site and time, with choreography and design, by professional
personnel handling and firing a certain number of fireworks such as display shells, batteries and
combinations, lance fireworks, special fireworks, etc.
Note 1 to entry: This definition is also applicable to hand-fired fireworks.
3.2
display operation
operations that are related to fireworks displays (3.1) including installation, loading, connecting, firing
system test, firing control and after show check and clean-up
3.3
electric firing device
device that delivers the firing electric current to the electric igniters of the fireworks
3.4
electric firing system
system that includes the electric firing device (3.3) and commands and controls the whole sequences of
fireworks displays
3.5
electric igniter
electric igniting element that consists of leading wires, chips or bridge wires, ignition charge, protective
paint, varnish or cover and short circuit caps or twisted bare conductors at the ends of the leading wires
3.6
effect radius
maximum horizontal distance to which the firework effect expands from the burst point
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

3.7
firing spot
place where a firework or group of fireworks is set and fired
3.8
firing zone
area where several firing spots (3.7) are located
3.9
operation zone
area where the operators carry out all operations that are necessary for preparing and setting up the
fireworks display (3.1)
3.10
safety distance
minimum distance(s) of persons or flammable materials or obstructions from the article in the direction
of the effect to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable
Note 1 to entry: The notion of acceptable “risk” depends on national regulations and/or national best practices.
3.11
firing safety distance
minimum distance between the firing zone (3.8) and the operators of the fireworks display (3.1), taking
into account the possible special protections that are set up
3.12
hazard zone
protection zone
area that is determined by the envelope of all safety distances of all the firing spots (3.7)
3.13
security zone
area where the access of unauthorised persons is forbidden by local authorities
Note 1 to entry: A security zone can be defined for the setup of the show and another security zone can be defined
for the firing of the show.
Note 2 to entry: The security zone extends beyond the operation zone and may be merged with it (e.g. during the
setup) or with the hazard zone (e.g. during the firing).
3.14
product group
several products to be fired in a sequence in a firing spots (3.7) and located at the same firing spot (3.7)
3.15
internal distance
minimum distance between products or product groups (3.14)
3.16
ground fireworks display
fireworks display (3.1) where no projected and/or propelled fireworks are fired
Note 1 to entry: For example, lancework, fountains, waterfalls, wheels etc.
3.17
aerial fireworks display
fireworks display (3.1) where projected and/ or propelled fireworks are fired
Note 1 to entry: For example, shells, rockets, batteries and combinations, Roman candles, aerial wheels etc. An
aerial fireworks display may include the firing of ground effects (for example, lancework, fountains, waterfalls,
wheels etc.).
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

4 Types, safety distance and categories of fireworks displays
4.1 Types of fireworks display
Fireworks displays are classified into two types, ground fireworks displays and aerial fireworks
displays.
4.2 Safety distance
4.2.1 General
The meaning and interpretation of “safety distance” vary according to the countries and their local
understanding of acceptable risk. It must be kept in mind that, whatever their definition and their
calculation rules, the objective of determining safety distances is to reduce the risk to as low as
reasonably practicable according to local cultures and rules.
4.2.2 Factors that should be considered for the determination of safety distances
4.2.2.1 Performance characteristics of products
The burst height of different types of firework products is one of the main factors considered to
determine safety distances, but not the only one. The burst height is subject to the type and size of
firework products. The higher the burst height, the larger the safety distances required. Other
performance factors that could determine safety distances are the noise level of fireworks, the
possibility of projections, the nature, type and weight of fallouts (e.g. rocket sticks), the nature of effects
(e.g. multi-break shells).
The burst height of firework products (especially shells, rockets and aerial wheels) may be subject to
limitations by local regulations.
4.2.2.2 Product installation methods
The products for fireworks displays may be installed vertically or obliquely, which is an important
factor to be considered to determine safety distances. If the products are installed obliquely, the safety
distances shall be increased accordingly in the direction of firing and may be reduced in the opposite
direction. Appropriate software, charts or coefficients should be made available to calculate the safety
distances for fireworks that are installed obliquely.
4.2.2.3 Environmental conditions
The environmental conditions for fireworks displays include wind speed and wind direction, which affect
safety distances to a certain extent. The safety distance in the downwind direction should be increased
according to the wind speed, as well as to the type and performance of fireworks. It may be done by
application of a given additional percentage to a standard safety distance determined in reference
conditions (e.g. vertical firing with a tolerance of ±Y° and wind speed smaller that X m/s). The additional
percentage to be applied to the safety distance should be determined on the national basis, taking into
account the local definition of safety distance, the level of risks acceptable and experience, etc.
The safety distance in the upwind direction may be reduced according to real conditions.
It should be reminded that wind speed measurements close to ground level give underestimated values
of the wind speed profile along the shell trajectories. Weather forecasts may be a useful source of
information in the preparation of fireworks displays.
If a weather front is approaching at display time, particular protection must be taken if there is a sudden
change in wind strength or direction.
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4.2.2.4 Other factors
Protection measures, constructions and natural geomorphic environment should be taken into
consideration, and the safety distances may be changed accordingly, depending on real conditions
of firing.
4.2.3 Determination of safety distance
The safety distance should be determined by considering the factors specified in 4.2.2, and in some
countries the manner the safety distance should be calculated is defined by local regulations and/or
agreed professional best practices
For information, Annex A gives examples of safety distances calculated in calm atmosphere according
to the methods of various countries. These methods may change in the future and the displayed values
don’t replace the obligation of determining safety distances according to the applicable and possibly
updated methods in real conditions of use.
4.3 Categories of firework display
According to the calibre and quantity of display shells of similar effect on the same firing conditions,
batteries and combinations to be fired in fireworks displays, fireworks displays may be classified in
categories, see Annex B for information.
5 Operating technology of fireworks displays
5.1 Personnel
The personnel involved in fireworks displays should be a team of persons with specialist knowledge.
Applicants to such knowledge assessment may participate in the preparation of fireworks displays
provided that they are placed under the responsibility of persons with specialist knowledge with the
appropriate limitations in the tasks they are allowed to carry out.
The setup and the firing of the fireworks displays should be placed under the responsibility of a person
who has the appropriate specialist knowledge and the appropriate license (in the countries where local
regulations require it).
When the size of the firework display justifies separate firing zones, each zone should be placed under
the responsibility of one person who have the appropriate specialist knowledge and refer to the person
responsible of the whole display or have been given the appropriate delegations to take every necessary
decision.
Each country may refer to the local regulations for the specialist knowledge and corresponding training
to be required for the setting and firing of fireworks displays.
5.2 Site
5.2.1 The site where the firework display is to take place should be a large unobstructed area in
the foreseen directions of trajectories and effects of all projected / propelled fireworks to be used. As
mentioned in 4.2.2.4, some characteristics of the site may be used for their screening effect allowing to
reduce safety distances in the desired or required directions.
For aquatic fireworks, moisture-protection measures should be taken for functioning in the
expected effect.
When the firing of fireworks is authorized indoors, the area should be clean, flat, well-ventilated and
non-flammable. The distance between the firing spot and the audience should meet the requirements
on safety distances of 4.2. The presence of a roof should give a limitation to the effect height of projected
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

and/ or propelled effects. In any case, the use of fireworks of categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 indoors should be
submitted to local restrictions.
5.2.2 Safety distances are determined as specified in 4.2.
5.2.3 If appropriate, local regulations should be considered for the width of safety evacuation
passageways.
5.3 Operation plan
5.3.1 Display operation plan may consist of technical design plan and/or organization and
implementation plans.
5.3.2 Technical design plan may include the following content:
a) Description of category (if any required by local regulations), types and corresponding quantities
of firework articles (including calibres of shells and other projected or propelled articles), total net
explosive content of the whole display, time, site and event theme of firework display;
b) Layout diagram of the display site showing firing zones and corresponding firework products;
c) Basic information of display equipment and firing methods;
d) Hazard zone, security zone and operation zone (see Figure 1) for protection of public and property;
e) A risk analysis is strongly recommended. Risk analysis may be mandatory by national regulations
in some contexts (See Clause 7).
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Key
1 hazard zone 5 operation zone
2 firing spot 6 audience
3 security zone 7 safety distance
4 firing zone
Figure 1 — Hazard zone, security zone, operation zone, firing zone and firing spot
5.3.3 Organization and execution plans may include the following content:
a) Description of the organizing team that shall be set up to take charge of safety, security, traffic
control, firefighting, emergency operations; the composition of such team may depend on the
category of firework display within the categorization system that is used locally for fireworks
displays;
b) Onsite personnel assignment, position and responsibilities from setup to clean-up and
corresponding specialist knowledge recognition (where appropriate or required by local
regulations);
c) Safety measures for transporting, storing and safekeeping firework products and relevant
equipment before, during and after the firework display;
d) Safety and security measures including firing safety distance for handling and setting up firework
articles, firing the display and cleaning up the firing and operation zones;
e) Emergency measures for accident management for the operators. Emergency measures for the
public may be determined by local services in charge of public protection such as firemen and first
aid organizations with the possible help of the organizing team;
f) Display execution plan, including personnel assignments and responsibilities, operation
procedures, on site safety management measures and contingency plans, etc.
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ISO 21583:2020(E)

5.4 Products, equipment and auxiliary materials and tools
5.4.1 Products should conform with the requirements of ISO 25947 and ISO 26261 standard series or
local standards and/or rules as appropriate for the country of use.
5.4.2 Firing equipment such as mortars, mortar racks, electric firing device, electric firing system etc.
should satisfy the intended use of fireworks and comply with relevant quality standards if any.
5.4.3 Auxiliary materials (e.g. protection bags and foils) and tools (e. g. knives, cutters and staplers
etc.) should be compatible with the intended use of fireworks and conform with relevant quality
standards if any.
5.5 Installation
5.5.1 Installation of articles
5.5.1.1 Firework articles should be installed at the firing spot as required by the display design and in
compliance with the user’s instructions and, for category 4 fireworks, with the applicable best practices
that are part of the specialist knowledge of authorized users or with the local rules of the country where
firework articles are installed.
5.5.1.2 Combinations and batteries should be installed on flat surfaces according to display design
requirements and fixed if it is required by user’s instructions.
5.5.1.3 Shot tubes should be installed according to display design requirements and be fixed on an
appropriate stable support by taking certain measures according to user’s instructions.
5.5.1.4 The framework that is required for the firing of ground fireworks, such as lancework fireworks,
wheels, waterfalls etc., should be installed by persons with specialist knowledge and the fireworks should
be fixed firmly to that framework. The resistance of the framework to the wind should be assured. The
ignitability of the surrounding area should be taken into account, leading to possible specific measures to
prevent ignition and propagation of accidental fire.
5.5.1.5 Roman candles have to be fixed firmly on an appropriate stable support at the intended angle
in a way which takes into account the recoil effect during the functioning. If shooting obliquely, the safety
distance should be increased according to the inclination angle.
5.5.1.6 Rockets should be fired from a specific frame which guides them safely at the very beginning
of their flight. This guiding should be as loose as possible not to interrupt or slow down the take-off.
Before installing the rockets, a visual examination of the guiding stick should be made to detect possible
bending, breaks and damages to the fixing of the stick to the rocket.
5.5.1.7 Aerial wheels should be fired from a specific equipment which guides them safely at the very
beginning of their flight. This guiding should be as loose as possible to assure a free and stable rotation of
the wheel before it takes off.
5.5.1.8 For aquatic fireworks, the range over the water should be taken into consideration to determine
the shooting angle of these articles, to ensure the trajectories and effect expansion remains within the
designated hazard zone on water.
5.5.1.9 Firing special designed firework articles such as girandolas should meet relevant safety
requirements specified by the manufacturer.
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5.5.1.10 For preventing firework articles from accidental or untimely fire transmission, internal
distances may preferably be set between firework articles within product groups under normal
conditions, see Annex C for reference. In special circumstances, e.g. limited space as in the case of firing
fireworks from barges, internal distances may be set according to real conditions.
NOTE Internal distances between fireworks within product groups reduce the risk of failure transmission
between a defective firework and the surrounding ones, but do not eliminate that risk. Indeed, the larger the
distance, the smaller the transmission risk. For shells and fireworks that project pyrotechnic units (Roman
candles, shot tubes, mines …), the mechanical characteristics of mortars and tubes (type of material, thickness,
breaking mode …) play a more important role in the prevention of failure transmission.
In the case of powerful fireworks, appropriate protection measures (e.g. screens) may also be placed
between fireworks within product groups for the same purpose.
5.5.2 Installation of mortars
5.5.2.1 Shells should be fired from mortars according to 5.5.2.1 to 5.5.2.7. The mortars for spherical
and cylindrical shells may be fixed in stable racks or buried up to at least half their height into sandy soil
or large containers filled with dry sand. The second technique is recommended for large calibre shells
and/or when mortars that are likely to project fragments (in case of shell explosion) are used.
5.5.2.2 For vertical firing, the bottom of shell mortar, combinations and batteries should be totally
placed into full contact with the flat ground or a flat interface.
5.5.2.3 If the mortar is shooting obliquely, the space between the bottom and the ground or interface
should be stuffed with mechanically resistant materials, and the requirements of 5.5.2.4 should be met.
5.5.2.4 The installation of shell mortars should conform with the following requirements:
a) Shell mortars shall be secured firmly and stably in racks or appropriate supports with proper
degree of tightness, so as to avoid falling down or falling apart from the rack or their support during
the firework display; mortars should not disrupt adjacent mortars if they do fail in a rack;
b) Shell mortars (Φ ≤ 153 mm) installed in racks refers to Annex C, and may be mixed with mortars of
other calibres (Φ ≤ 153 mm);
c) Shell mortars (Φ ≥ 178 mm) installed in racks should be fixed separately according to respective
internal distance and respective rack design, see Annex C;
d) It is recommended t
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