Licence - explosives
ListenA person storing in excess of 250 kg HT4 and 100 kg of HT3 will need a licence.
Apply for a new registration licence or storage licence using the forms on the HSE website.
Please ensure you have read the guidance notes before completing the application forms.
Please return the form and payment to the Trading Standards Team at Bracknell Forest Council and not the HSE.
What the law says
The Explosives Acts 1875 and Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 make it an offence not to comply with the following requirements.
Any person who stores fireworks must take appropriate measures:
- To prevent fire or explosion
- To limit the extent of fire or explosion including measures to prevent the spreading of fires and the communication of explosions from one location to another
- To protect persons from the effects of fire or explosion
Risk assessments (RAs)
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) and the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) both require risk assessments to be undertaken.
Therefore a risk assessment should be undertaken but is only required to have been recorded if there are more than five people employed at the business.
Some useful guidelines have been produced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and are available on their website: Fireworks in shops: Retailers’ risk assessment checklist and Storing and selling fireworks safely.
Method of storage
Methods of storage are as follows:
- An ISO freight container
- A dedicated store room
- A fully enclosed substantial (small gauge) wire mesh compound (and still in transit packaging)
- A demarcated area for an amount not exceeding 75 kg, in their sealed/resealed transport packaging (this is not appropriate for small shops)
- A substantial cupboard, cabinet, container or display case
The containers the fireworks are stored in must be clearly labelled as storing fireworks. If the fireworks are stored inside an ISO freight container the label should be an orange diamond with a black 4 (the 4 refers to the category). Category 4 is retail fireworks.
Manufacture of fireworks
Manufacturing of fireworks includes their repair, modification, dismantling etc. and anyone doing this requires a licence.
Registration for storage
A person registered with the local authority can store:
- Up to 250 kg of fireworks of HT4
- Up to 100 kg of fireworks of HT3
Please note this is a net weight
Fireworks must be in containers each holding no more than 12.5 kg.
The amount of fireworks that can be kept on the shop floor is dependent on the size of the shop and goes up to 75 kg.
Floor area of sales area (square metres) | Quantity of Explosives (kg) |
Not exceeding 20 | 12.5 |
Not exceeding 40 | 15 |
Not exceeding 60 | 20 |
Not exceeding 80 | 25 |
Not exceeding 100 | 30 |
Not exceeding 150 | 35 |
Not exceeding 200 | 40 |
Not exceeding 250 | 45 |
Not exceeding 300 | 50 |
Not exceeding 350 | 55 |
Not exceeding 400 | 60 |
Not exceeding 450 | 65 |
Not exceeding 499 | 70 |
Equal to or exceeding 500 | 75 |
Separation distances
Persons storing over 250 kg fireworks must maintain separation distances between stores and other buildings, thoroughfares etc.
If storing over 75 kg in a building adjoining a dwelling, further fire precautions are necessary such as installing a fire detection system.
The Fireworks Regulations 2004
A notice must be displayed where fireworks are supplied or exposed for supply stating:
- It is illegal to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 18
- It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place
When can you sell?
Fireworks can only be sold between:
- 15 October - 10 November
- 26 - 31 December
- Three days prior to and including Diwali and the Chinese New Year.
 |
