Firework Frequently Asked Questions
On this page we hope to answer all your firework questions. We explain all the different types of fireworks, what the names mean and the best way to use / display them.
| Aerial | Any firework which produces an effect in the sky, as opposed to a ground based effect. (Variation is the Aerial Repeater, which has multiple shots in the firework tube). |
| Ball rocket | Any rocket that has a ball shaped head, common effects from these are rings. |
| Barrage | Several fireworks linked together in a single package, most usually Roman candles or mines, they are fired from a single fuse / ignition. Once lit the barrage sends up tens or hundreds of aerial shots. Most barrages will combine different effects to give a good display in a single firework. Also known as cakes, barrages are a very popular form of firework, as they give an impressive display with minimum work. Barrages should always be fired on a firm flat surface, some larger barrages must be partially buried in the ground to prevent them falling over. |
| Battery | A battery is a collection of fireworks assembled together and fused in sequence. Often used as an opener or a finale to a professional display. |
| Bees | Effect caused by stars randomly swarming around resembling a swarm of bees |
| Bengal | A pyrotechnic coloured flare |
| Bombettes | Bombettes are stars which end with an explosion |
| Bouquet | Multiple breaks of small chrysanthemums in a single aerial burst. |
| Break | The burst of an aerial shell causing the effects and colours. |
| Brocade | Visual effect produced in the sky, spider like or a tail like effect, bright and glittery and often gold coloured. |
| Cake | see Barrage |
| Candle | A roman candle is a cardboard tube, which shoots out stars, comets or other aerial effects. Candles vary in size; generally a larger candle will produce a larger effect. Candles should be firmly buried in the ground or stable box of sand. Candles can also be secured to a short post buried in the ground with at least 2 strong cable ties. Always follow the directions on the firework. |
| Category 1 fireworks | Indoor fireworks as defined by British standard 7114; part 2. |
| Category 2 fireworks | Garden fireworks as defined by British standard 7114; part 2. All Category 2 fireworks have a 5 metre safety distance. |
| Category 3 fireworks | Display fireworks as defined by British standard 7114; part 2. All category 3 fireworks have a 25 metre safety distance. |
| Category 4 fireworks | Fireworks defined in the British Standard as being not suitable for sale to the general public. |
| Catherine Wheel | The most popular name for wheels type fireworks. |
| Chrysanthemum | The chrysanthemum shell emits its stars in a perfect circle and the brightness grows as the circle grows in size. |
| Comets | Also called comet tails, a comet is a star which leaves a glittering trail behind it. |
| Cone | Any cone shaped fountain |
| Dragon eggs | Clusters of crackling sparks in the air. |
| Falling leaves | An aerial effect that consists of glowing embers that tumble slowly in the air, flickering back and forth as they fall back to the ground. |
| Fan Cake | Any barrage where some of the tubes are arranged at angles so the shots are fired at an angle creating a fan shaped display, as opposed to straight up vertically. |
| Floral Pattern | An aerial pattern that resembles a flower with points of light that streak outward from the centre of the break. |
| Fountain | A ground based firework that emits showers of sparks and sometimes emits audible effects such as whistle and crackles. Fountains and cones should always be fired from a firm flat surface. |
| Girandola | Wheel shaped firework that spins horizontally in the air then explodes |
| Mine | Usually starting with a small fountain which helps to build the anticipation for the main effect; the mine will give a sudden eruption at ground level, shooting into the air and normally accompanied by a loud bang. The effect is that of a shower of stars moving upward in an inverted cone. |
| Mortar | A re loadable tube, sealed at one end for firing shells and mines. |
| Palm Tree | Aerial effect that takes the shape of a palm tree. Shoots up with a tail then has a willow or branch effect. |
| Pearl | Star that burns with just one colour. |
| Peony | Stars that fly outward then start to descend, the most common effect. |
| Pistil | Tentacle type break that flies out in different directions with a small number of limbs but thick coverage. |
| Popcorn | A loud silver spherical shaped display with crackling effect that breaks in huge numbers all at once to fill the display with a sky full of crackling brightness. |
| Portfire | A long thin tube which burns with a bright flame, generally reliable and windproof, used to ignite other fireworks. |
| Report | The technical term for a bang. |
| Rocket | An aerial device attached to a guiding stick and propelled into the air by a rocket motor. |
| Roman candle | see candle |
| Salute | An effect usually produced with flash powder - a single loud report and flash. |
| Saturn Shell | A ring that forms around another ring or ball. |
| Serpents | Snake like wriggling that tails rise erratically into the air, often used with an accompanying sound effect, usually a screech. |
| Single Ignition | See barrage or this article. |
| Stars | Glowing balls of fire and coloured light, used in Roman candles and the bursts of mines and rockets. They can change colour in flight. |
| Wheel | A firework that spins round a fixed point. The effect is that of a sparkling wheel. |
| Willow | Aerial effect of falling sparks, with a slow descent that represents the weeping willow tree |
Please take care with fireworks, please follow the Fireworks Safety Guide on this page. The Firework Warehouse has a huge range of Fireworks for sale at our shop in St Helens.