Overview 

This standard is about designing and creating an explosive or pyrotechnic effect safely. This may relate to firing single or multiple charges and testing circuits.

It assumes you already have experience of physical special effects and need to apply this specific area of expertise to your work.

You will need to know about the dangers involved with using different explosive materials, the ignition and extinguishing methods and the health and safety management which surrounds this work area.

This standard is for those who create explosive or pyrotechnic special effects.


Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. create explosive or pyrotechnic effects that meet the brief, budget and production requirements
  2. identify and use pyrotechnic or explosive techniques that are most appropriate for the job
  3. source, purchase, store and transport explosive and pyrotechnic materials in compliance with current legislation and regulations
  4. provide and maintain required documentation
  5. calculate current, voltage, resistance, power, with parallel and series circuits using accurate information
  6. select and use firing systems and ignition sources 
  7. prepare charges in mortars to boost or reduce explosive effects
  8. design chemical and explosive mixtures that simulate the desired scale
  9. document all aspects of risk assessment and risk management
  10. ensure safety zones are specified and adhered to by all cast and crew
  11. maintain the health and safety of cast and crew
  12. ensure cast and crew use the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the job
  13. stop a shoot with immediate effect when you consider it unsafe to proceed
  14. specify all safety requirements with clear firing position and line of sight to the effect
  15. create effects that satisfy directorial requirements
  16. consider sustainability and the environmental impact of the effects
  17. liaise with enforcing authorities to ensure all legal protocols have been adhered to
  18. make sure that all materials used are disposed of in line with legal and production requirements
  19. confirm that locations or sets are restored to their required state providing documentation as required
  20. check and confirm that suitable and is present
  21. provide alternative solutions within budget and schedule when effects cannot be produced to original design or budget


Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. script breakdown, budget and production requirements for explosive and pyrotechnic effects
  2. health and safety regulations and legislation relating to explosive and pyrotechnic materials including: storage, licensing, transportation, purchasing and manufacture licensing
  3. enforcing authorities and other relevant bodies you need to liaise with and the legal protocols you need to comply when using explosives
  4. how to convert a script idea into reality through using explosives or pyrotechnics
  5. the dangers involved with different types of explosive material and products available commercially and how they can be used
  6. the general principles of using minimum force to achieve a visual result
  7. basic safety relating to using explosives including: means of initiation, avoidance of inadvertent initiation, suitable storage, safe handling and working practices
  8. the importance of communicating with production and other departments
  9. the most appropriate film speeds to use for the effect, particularly with miniatures and different scales
  10. how to create an impression of a full scale effect with miniatures
  11. the environmental considerations and the effect on a location both during testing and execution
  12. how to design basic electrical circuits for use with pyrotechnics
  13. how to use mortars to isolate and direct charges, and control power
  14. how to dress an explosion to add visual impact
  15. the impact of bullet hits on people and
  16. specialist constructs and materials in pyrotechnic miniature work
  17. how to control and supervise an effect on set
  18. the safe operating positions for special effects crew on set
  19. how to make sets safe post effect
  20. the procedure for dealing with misfires and making safe
  21. the different protective clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for cast and crew
  22. how to ensure the camera is appropriately protected
  23. how to communicate evacuation protocol and maintaining escape routes in case of emergency or accident
  24. possible alternatives to pyrotechnics and when they can be implemented, including: air mortars, air line bullet hits and mechanical rigs
  25. how to liaise with and advise fire service and paramedics
  26. the appropriate levels of special effects staff coverage to ensure the safety of cast and crew