PRE-LOADED & BINARY SYSTEMS
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS A COLLECTION OF FACTS AND OPINIONS OBTAINED OVER THE YEARS THROUGH EXPERIENCES THAT I (ZACK PERCELL) HAVE HAD. MUCH OF THE INFORMATION IS OPINION, AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THOSE EXPERIENCED IN THE FIELD OF THEATRICAL PYROTECHNICS.
BINARY SYSTEMS
A Pyrotechnic Binary System is one that uses 2 part flash powder that is not completely made until the compounds of chemical are mixed at a job site minutes prior to a performance. The flash powder is loaded into a flash pot, which has been equipped with an igniter. The powder is placed into the flash pot so that it covers the igniter. The flash pot is hooked up to a controller which sends an electrical signal to the flash pot. The flash pot sends that signal to the igniter. The igniter transforms the electrical current into heat energy, which creates a small explosion. That small explosion ignites the flash powder, creating the desired effect.
PRE-LAODED PYRO
A Pre-Loaded System is one that uses devices that have a pre-determined amount of pyrotechnic composition (often flash powder) already in them. They often have an igniter in place as well. Some pre-loaded systems are called "Bare Wire" effects. These Effects have the igniter lead wires coming from a certain area of the paper or cardboard casing. This plugs into a "Pod", or base. A controller gives an electrical signal which heats the internal igniter to the point of a small explosion, firing the pre-loaded device.
COMPARING THE TWO
There are advantages and disadvantages to both
Binary and Pre-Load systems. As far as safety is concerned, there
have been several arguments over which is the safest. The argument that Pre-Load is the safest comes from the fact that
Pre-Loaded devices do not need to be "handled" as much
as Binary Systems. Pre-Loaded flash pots, for example, have the
flash powder already mixed in them, so that you do not need to
"handle" or even ever see the flash powder.
The argument that Binary Systems are safer comes from the fact
that you are not dealing with an actual explosive substance until
the flash powder is mixed. Since Binary flash powder is
non-hazardous until it is mixed, prior to the performance, some
say that is actually the safest way to do things.
Shipping and storage are an issue as well.
Pre-Loaded devices must often be shipped with certain Hazardous
Materials restrictions. This adds to cost and time for shipment.
Special storage is also required by federal law when it comes to
these systems. The BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) requires a special storage magazine be used when
keeping most of these items. (However, your State or Local
Authorities may not have such restrictions)
Storage restrictions of this sort do not apply to Binary Flash
Powder.
Set-up for Pre-Loaded systems is significantly faster than it is for Binary systems. In setting up a Pre-Loaded system, you only have to worry about hardware. With Binary Systems, you have hardware (Flash Pots, cords, controller(s)), as well as Software (Flash powders, and igniters). In some conditions, it could also be said that Pre-Loaded systems are easier to set up.
Once Pre-Loaded systems are set up, you have less
flexibility than you do with Binary systems. Example: You have rehearsed an effect for your magic act, which requires a sparkle
flash effect. You practiced with the smallest Sparkle Flash
Pre-Load available. You get to a room where you will be
performing, but it is a smaller room than you expected. You know
that it would be safe to do the Sparkle Flash effect in that room
if it were just a little smaller. It would probably work the way
it is now, but you don't feel very comfortable trying. Well, you
remember that the Cardinal rule in Pyro is "When in doubt,
leave it out." And you don't do the effect.
Well, if your system were a Binary System, you would be able to
adjust the size of the effect by choosing the amount of flash
powder to use in the flash pot. You may even have the opportunity
to test the effect out before your audience shows up.
In almost every case, Pre-loaded systems will be quite a bit more expensive than a Binary System. Pre-Loaded Effects often cost as much for a single effect as a Binary kit would cost that would give you up to 10 effects. The hardware for Pre-Loaded systems is often considerably more expensive as well.
It is from weighing out the above information that I have decided that Z11 Pyro Supply will continue to specialize in the manufacture of Binary Theatrical Pyrotechnic Systems. It is my goal to do what I can to take the knowledge I have obtained over the past several years, and create products along the lines of Binary Pyro that will make the art a much simpler, safer, and much more affordable addition to your current situation.