Z11's THEATICAL PYRO
GLOSSARY
HERE ARE SOME OF THE TERMS THAT YOU MIGHT HEAR WHILE WORKING IN THE FIELD OF THEATRICAL PYROTECHNICS.
THESE TERMS ARE ARE BASED ON TERMS USED AND HEARD WHILE WORKING IN THIS FIELD OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS. THEY ARE ALSO BASED ON TERMS THAT CAN BE FOUND IN THE BATF (BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND FIREARMS) AND NFPA (NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION AGENCY 1126) TERM GUIDES .
THIS LIST OF WORDS AND DEFINITIONS IS IN NO WAY COMPLETE, OR REPRESENTITIVE OF THE OPINIONS OF ALL WORKERS IN THE FIELD OF THEATRICAL, OR OTHER TYPES OF PYROTECHNICS.
Air burst. A
small device that is suspended in the air above a stage, which
creates an effect that simulates outdoor aerial fireworks shells.
Airbursts do not produce hazardous debris.
Approved. Accepted by the authority having
jurisdiction
Assistant. A person that works under the
supervision of the pyrotechnic operator
Audience. Spectators viewing a performance
Authority having jurisdiction. Any individual
having the responsibility of approving equipment, an
installation, or procedure. An office or an organization may also
be involved, rather than a single individual.
BATF. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
The governmental organization which provides federal laws,
regulations, and licensing for use, manufacture and storage of
pyrotechnics in the United States.
Binary System. A two-component pyrotechnic
system. These items are shipped as separate ingredients: an
oxidizer, and a fuel. The ingredients do not become a pyrotechnic
material until they are mixed. These systems, when mixed are
almost always flash powder. Flash powder, when mixed equals a
total of no more than one ounce, or 30 grams of powder.
Black powder: A low explosive also known as
"traditional gun powder".
Black powder is sometimes used in theatrical pyrotechnic flash
pots to produce a dim orange flash, and lots of lingering smoke.
It is not recommended for indoor use do to the fact that it
produces a small amount of carbon monoxide when burned.
Bridge wire. A fine wire usually made from a Nickel/Chromium alloy (aka Nichrome), Steel, or Tinned Copper which heats or explodes when a specific electric current is applied to it's ends. The heat causes a pyrotechnic device to ignite when positioned for that purpose.
Color Pot. Usually refers to a tube which is filled with pyrotechnic material that produces a colored flame when ignited. This is quite often a preloaded effect.
Colored Smoke.
A chemical composition which produces dense clouds of colorful
smoke when ignited. An effect used in some indoor displays or
even daylight outdoor fireworks displays.
Concussion effect. A pyrotechnic effect that
produces a loud jarring shock for dramatic effect. Theatrical
concussion should not be confused with standard concussion do to
the fact that theatrical concussion produces a much smaller
effect than standard concussion. In theatrical pyrotechnics, this
effect is also known as a "sonic Boom".
Concussion mortar. A device specifically
designed and constructed to produce, and contain a loud noise and
a violent jarring shock for dramatic effect without producing any
damage. In theatrical pyrotechnics, this is also known as a
"Maroon", "Cacoo" or "Sonic Boom
pot".
Day Box. A portable magazine that is used for temporary storage of pyrotechnic materials.
Detonation. A
term very commonly misused. This term has very little place in
the Theatrical Pyrotechnic vocabulary, but is commonly used when
it should not be. It is an extremely rapid chemical reaction
where the reaction flows in the direction of the unreacted
material at supersonic speed. This causes a shockwave producing
explosion. Concussion Mortars are typically the only time the
phenomenon is seen. The idea that a Concussion Mortar produces a true
Detonation is actually commonly argued.
Electric match. A device containing a small
amount of pyrotechnic material that ignites when a specified
amount of electric current flows through the leads (sometimes as
little as 1.5VDC). An electric match is used to initiate
pyrotechnic flash pots, and pre-loaded devices such as Air
Bursts, Gerbs, etc. They are often incorrectly called squibs
(usually by Class B Pyrotechnic operators).
Fallout area. The area in which any hazardous
debris falls after a pyrotechnic device is fired. The fallout
area is defined as a circle that, in turn, is defined by the
fallout radius.
Fallout Radius. A line that defines the fallout
area of a pyrotechnic device (effect). The line is defined by two
points. The first point is at the center of the device. The
second point is the point most distant from the center of the
device at which any hazardous debris from the device can fall.
Fire (v.). To ignite pyrotechnics by using an
electric match, single strand electric bridge wire, or by some
other means. Theatrical pyrotechnics are almost always fired
using an electrical current.
Firing system. The source of ignition for
pyrotechnics. In an electrical system, it is the source of
electric current used to initiate electric matches or other types
of igniters. Generally, the electrical firing system has some or
all components, such as primary key switch, test circuits,
continuity testers, cables, isolated transformers, built in power
supply, and switches to control routing of current to various
pyrotechnic devices.
Fixed Production. Any production performed
repeatedly in only one geographic location.
Flare. A pyrotechnic device that is designed to
produce a single source of intense light for a defined period of
time.
Flash Pot. A device used with flash powder that
produces a flash of light, smoke, sparkles, audible report (boom
or bang) or combination of these effects. The flash pot is
capable of directing the effect in an upward direction.
Flash powder. A specific pyrotechnic material in
a fine powder form composed of fuel(s) and oxidizer(s). The
powder is used in a flash pot and creates effects such as a flash
of light, smoke, sparkles, audible report (boom or bang) or a
combination of these when ignited.
Fuel. Combustables or chemical-reducers such as, but not limited to: sulfur; aluminum powder; iron powder; charcoal; magnesium powder; magnalium powder; gums; & organic plastic binders, are fuels and ingredients of pyrotechnic materials. The Chemical B Portion of a Binary Flash Kit is the Fuel Portion.
Gerb. A cylinderical preload device typically made from a heavy walled cardboard/paper casing that is intended to produce a controller spray of sparks with a reproducible and predictable duration, height, and diameter. This device contains a controlled "explosion" similar to a rocket motar, due to the fact that it has a nozel or "choke", however it is held in place by a holder, and the jet sprays upward or at an angle.
Hazardous Debris. Very rarely found in any devices used in indoor (Theatrical) Pyrotechnis, it is any debris that is produced, expelled, or projected by the functioning of a pyrotechnic device, that is capable of causing personal injury or unpredicted property damage.
High Voltage. A pyrotechnic control system which uses an AC (Alternating Current) Power Supply. This power supply is usually a 110v - 120v power supply coming from a wall outlet.
Holder. Any device used to hold a pyrotechnic device or material other than a Mortar.
Igniter. An electrical, chemical, or mechanical device normally used to fire pyrotechnics.
Ingeredient. A chemical used to create a pyrotechnic material.
Integral Mortar. A preloaded mortar containing pyrotechnic materials and intended for a single firing only.
Isolated Power Supply. An ungrounded power supply that provides electricity, in which both output wires are isolated from ground. Usually a high voltage (110v -120v) power supply.
Lift Charge. Usually only found in Fireworks, not Theatrical Pyro, it is a composition in a pyrotechnic device that propels (lifts) the effect the effect into the air when ignited. A lift charge is often traditional Black Powder (Gun Powder)
Low Voltage. A pyrotechnic control system that uses a DC (Direct Current) power source. The source is usually a battery or battery pack which puts out anywhere from 1.5v - 24v.
Magazine. Any building, structure, or indoor container used exclusively for the storage of explosive materials.
Manufacturer. An individual who performs the following: Preparation of pyrotechnic material(s) and loading or assembly of any pyrotechnic device.
Mine. Rarely used in indoor pyrotechnics, a Mine is a preload device that projects multiple pellets of pyrotechnic material (Ofter called 'Stars') that produce colored flames or sparks.
Mortar. A tube or pot-like device used to direct and control the effect of pyrotechnic material.
NFPA. National Fire Protection Association
Oxidizer. Usually an oxygen-rich, ionically bonded chemical that decomposes at moderate to high temps. Where such a chemical decomposes, it realeases oxygen. In covalent molecules containing halogen atoms. An oxidizer is an ingredient in pyrotechnic materials. (eg. the white chemical <A> portion of a Binary Flash Powder Kit)
Salute Powder. (aka Sonic Flash Powder, aka Extra-Fast Flash Powder, aka Concussion Flash Powder) Formulated to produce an extra loud concussive effect without necessarily producing as much light as common Theatrical Flash Powders.
SFX. (aka Special Effects) Audible and/or visual effect used for entertainment purposes often used to create an illusion in stage, theatre, video or film.
Smoke Pot. A device that is either preloaded or loaded just before use. It is loaded with a composition that produces white, or colored smoke. Flash Pots are sometimes used as Smoke Pots.
Squib. A small amount of a pyrotechnic base charge which is preloaded into a metal tube, or cardboard casing and is ignited by a perminently placed electric match. These devices are used in several applications. a common use is a 'Bullet Hit', which simulates a slug from a gun as it hits a person or object in movie special effects. Electric matches are often called Squibs, when in fact, an Electric match is only part of a Squib.
Stars. Small balls or tube shaped masses of mixed and hardened pyrotechnic compositions that are projected from devices such as aerial shells, roman candles, and mines. These devices are typically used only outdoors, however, there are some small mines manufactured from large indoor settings. Stars burn while in the air producing colorful flame. They are what give aerial fireworks their colors.
Water Fall. Similar to a Gerb, but usually without a "choke". These are held in place upside down in rows of several pieces from stage trussing. The multiple devices fire simultaniously, creating a downward shower or sparkly "water fall" of sparks. Most often seen outdoors, this effect can be performed indoors safely in some situations.
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