ARPA
10-27-2012, 03:51 AM
Australian Recreational Pyrotechnic Association (or ARPA for short) is an organization that believes in the fun, legal, responsible and safe use of fireworks by passionate members of the community. We consider fireworks as art in the same way a painter uses canvas to reveal their artistic side- the sky is our canvas.
I have been thinking for a while that Victorian law (and the Australian laws in general) regarding fireworks are not only incredibly strict but also irrelevant in some areas as you class all types of fireworks the same despite the fact that a lot of firework devices are not large display type devices and contain only a small amount of pyrotechnic material, these smaller devices perform very differently to the larger display type fireworks.
What I am proposing is that some members of the community would be interested in establishing a fireworks club on a social level, that is to say an appropriate venue in which smaller class fireworks can be let off on set dates in a location away from residential areas, and which would have it's own strict rules for doing so. A separate license would be made available from workcover that allows this. I'm not talking about large display type fireworks here such as shells and large multishot cakes, I totally agree these such devices should only be used by professionally trained pyrotechnicians and in fact the recent injuries and deaths that have occurred in Victoria I have noted were caused by display shells, The smaller devices do not pose a risk of injury, the last 2 cases in which there was a fatality was due to professional fireworks being used by untrained operators. I believe your categorizing system in place is completely wrong because your including of all pyrotechnics devices into the one permit scope makes no sense. We are allowed rocket clubs & firearm clubs so why not a fireworks club that is controlled in the same manner as the afore mentioned clubs are.
My proposal is not about legalizing fireworks so anyone can get hold of them and let them off in a residential area. This proposal relates directly to an organized club that is licensed to let off fireworks at an approved venue that meets strict requirements. Members don't posses the fireworks in such that they have them stored at their house and can let them off at there own choosing, my proposal stipulates that a chosen remote venue which has a proposed locked magazine with various security features stores members fireworks there, which are acquired from a licensed supplier which adheres to appropriate transport regulations. Members of the club would only be able to access the fireworks on the approved night, and MUST be let off that night for example once every 2 months there is a club meet.
This is for enthusiasts, people that may have a current passion for fireworks and don't want to become professional and outlay the large costs and do not want to become a pyrotechnician for a job, also people who might remember the old days such as Guy Fawkes & Empire nights may want to relive those days. This is NOT for people who just want to blow things up, run a muck or cause trouble, membership would be conditional on certain requirements, mature people only would be allowed to join the club. Anyone doing anything stupid, disobeying rules would have there license/membership cancelled on the spot.
The proposed venue would not have surrounding residences for x amount of kilometers and would be far out of town, cleared of any fire risks such as long grass trees etc.
Two licensed pyrotechnicians I have spoken to think its a good idea and also believed it would be a good opportunity for them to test new products that they may wish to use in future shows. Professionally full licensed pyrotechnicians would also be encouraged to join and let of their larger display type devices in accordance to current workcover regulations.
The proposal includes the following well thought out conditions which would allow for optimal safety requirements:
- Members must be at least 18 years of age (possibly even 21).
- Under no circumstances will fireworks be let off on a total fire ban.
- The proposed venue would be completely clear of flammable vegetation or material, with a surrounding area completely cleared to a certain distance.
- Fully insured.
- Under no circumstances shall any fireworks be taken from the premises. All fireworks would be sold from a licensed supplier and delivered to the venue and locked in an approved magazine.
- Appropriate fire prevention devices would be available on site such as fire houses hoses & extinguishers.
- A licensed pyrotechnician could provide training at a few of the events for new members, to save on money a minimum amount of people would be required to be trained. They would then receive a certain Category license enabling them to become an active member of the club and use that category type fireworks at the approved venue. Professional pyrotechnicians are encouraged (and no doubt would enjoy attending) to attend the meets. The training would mainly focus on safety requirements and correct setting up, this would limit the time and cost of the training.
- Other various clubs would be encouraged to use the facility/location such as the firearms and rocket clubs.
- Strict time limits would also apply, fire works would only be let off on a Friday and Saturday night, with the cut off at 10pm.
- Absolutely no alcohol permitted on club premises.
- Appropriate safety devices would be available on site with medical kit and at least 2 members trained with medical certificate.
- All fireworks are to be shot by electronic means, therefore no member or viewing public can be injured by he fireworks as they are shot from a distance remotely.
- Background checks are performed by workcover to ensure any applying member is fit to hold a license.
- An area in which the fireworks are setup and fired can only be accessed by the licensed members, any attending audiences which are not members are allowed only into the designated viewing area which is set back a safe distance from the display.
- Local authorities and nearby residences notified within 1 month of each planned event.
- Anyone doing anything stupid, disobeying rules would have there license/membership cancelled on the spot.
- These types of clubs exist all over the USA & the UK and are very successful, safe & enjoyable clubs.
Before anything at all would proceed we need a good idea on numbers showing some interest would be needed, I already know of quite a few people who are interested in such a proposal. Yes this mainly a Victorian thing, but think of it as a stepping stone in the right direction for other states. Interstate members would be more than welcome and considering how cheap flights are interstate at the moment there wouldn't be a reason why you couldn't attend a few meets a year.
Come and support the cause: http://ausrpa.blogspot.com.au/
I have been thinking for a while that Victorian law (and the Australian laws in general) regarding fireworks are not only incredibly strict but also irrelevant in some areas as you class all types of fireworks the same despite the fact that a lot of firework devices are not large display type devices and contain only a small amount of pyrotechnic material, these smaller devices perform very differently to the larger display type fireworks.
What I am proposing is that some members of the community would be interested in establishing a fireworks club on a social level, that is to say an appropriate venue in which smaller class fireworks can be let off on set dates in a location away from residential areas, and which would have it's own strict rules for doing so. A separate license would be made available from workcover that allows this. I'm not talking about large display type fireworks here such as shells and large multishot cakes, I totally agree these such devices should only be used by professionally trained pyrotechnicians and in fact the recent injuries and deaths that have occurred in Victoria I have noted were caused by display shells, The smaller devices do not pose a risk of injury, the last 2 cases in which there was a fatality was due to professional fireworks being used by untrained operators. I believe your categorizing system in place is completely wrong because your including of all pyrotechnics devices into the one permit scope makes no sense. We are allowed rocket clubs & firearm clubs so why not a fireworks club that is controlled in the same manner as the afore mentioned clubs are.
My proposal is not about legalizing fireworks so anyone can get hold of them and let them off in a residential area. This proposal relates directly to an organized club that is licensed to let off fireworks at an approved venue that meets strict requirements. Members don't posses the fireworks in such that they have them stored at their house and can let them off at there own choosing, my proposal stipulates that a chosen remote venue which has a proposed locked magazine with various security features stores members fireworks there, which are acquired from a licensed supplier which adheres to appropriate transport regulations. Members of the club would only be able to access the fireworks on the approved night, and MUST be let off that night for example once every 2 months there is a club meet.
This is for enthusiasts, people that may have a current passion for fireworks and don't want to become professional and outlay the large costs and do not want to become a pyrotechnician for a job, also people who might remember the old days such as Guy Fawkes & Empire nights may want to relive those days. This is NOT for people who just want to blow things up, run a muck or cause trouble, membership would be conditional on certain requirements, mature people only would be allowed to join the club. Anyone doing anything stupid, disobeying rules would have there license/membership cancelled on the spot.
The proposed venue would not have surrounding residences for x amount of kilometers and would be far out of town, cleared of any fire risks such as long grass trees etc.
Two licensed pyrotechnicians I have spoken to think its a good idea and also believed it would be a good opportunity for them to test new products that they may wish to use in future shows. Professionally full licensed pyrotechnicians would also be encouraged to join and let of their larger display type devices in accordance to current workcover regulations.
The proposal includes the following well thought out conditions which would allow for optimal safety requirements:
- Members must be at least 18 years of age (possibly even 21).
- Under no circumstances will fireworks be let off on a total fire ban.
- The proposed venue would be completely clear of flammable vegetation or material, with a surrounding area completely cleared to a certain distance.
- Fully insured.
- Under no circumstances shall any fireworks be taken from the premises. All fireworks would be sold from a licensed supplier and delivered to the venue and locked in an approved magazine.
- Appropriate fire prevention devices would be available on site such as fire houses hoses & extinguishers.
- A licensed pyrotechnician could provide training at a few of the events for new members, to save on money a minimum amount of people would be required to be trained. They would then receive a certain Category license enabling them to become an active member of the club and use that category type fireworks at the approved venue. Professional pyrotechnicians are encouraged (and no doubt would enjoy attending) to attend the meets. The training would mainly focus on safety requirements and correct setting up, this would limit the time and cost of the training.
- Other various clubs would be encouraged to use the facility/location such as the firearms and rocket clubs.
- Strict time limits would also apply, fire works would only be let off on a Friday and Saturday night, with the cut off at 10pm.
- Absolutely no alcohol permitted on club premises.
- Appropriate safety devices would be available on site with medical kit and at least 2 members trained with medical certificate.
- All fireworks are to be shot by electronic means, therefore no member or viewing public can be injured by he fireworks as they are shot from a distance remotely.
- Background checks are performed by workcover to ensure any applying member is fit to hold a license.
- An area in which the fireworks are setup and fired can only be accessed by the licensed members, any attending audiences which are not members are allowed only into the designated viewing area which is set back a safe distance from the display.
- Local authorities and nearby residences notified within 1 month of each planned event.
- Anyone doing anything stupid, disobeying rules would have there license/membership cancelled on the spot.
- These types of clubs exist all over the USA & the UK and are very successful, safe & enjoyable clubs.
Before anything at all would proceed we need a good idea on numbers showing some interest would be needed, I already know of quite a few people who are interested in such a proposal. Yes this mainly a Victorian thing, but think of it as a stepping stone in the right direction for other states. Interstate members would be more than welcome and considering how cheap flights are interstate at the moment there wouldn't be a reason why you couldn't attend a few meets a year.
Come and support the cause: http://ausrpa.blogspot.com.au/