Firework Glossary

• Aerial Shell - The most common type of firework at displays - this is a spherical firework that is fired into the sky from a tube and then after a set delay it bursts and ignites the contents which scatters stars out
• Black Match - Slow burning fuse used to light fireworks. Burns at around 1 inch per second
• Cake - This contains several tubes linked together with fuse so they fire in sequence to produce various effects. These can contain dozens or thousands of small individual shells to produce many different effects. They are named cakes because the container is generally in a circular shape like a cake.
• Category 1 Fireworks - Low hazard fireworks (indoor fireworks)
• Category 2 Fireworks - Medium Hazard fireworks (most fireworks you can buy in the shops)
• Category 3 Fireworks - High Hazard fireworks (Fireworks that require a safety distance of 25 metres to be observed).
• Category 4 Fireworks - Very High Hazard fireworks (Used in firework displays - CAT 4 fireworks can only be purchased and used by qualified pyrotechnicians).
• Catherine Wheel - This firework is often used for home garden fireworks rather than professional displays. It is nailed to a post and spins rapidly emitting sparks and loud whistles
• Chrysanthemum - Similar to a Peony but the stars leave trails - this can make the circle of stars get brighter as the circle expands to produce a great effect
• Fountain ? This firework is in a tube shape and produces an upward shower of sparks, these fireworks can last for quite a long time to produce a good low level effect
• Mortar - A tube used for firing aerial fireworks such as shells
• Peony - These produce a spherical spread of coloured stars but with no trails. (see also Chrysanthemum)
• Quick Match - a fast burning fuse used to light several fireworks at the same time. Burns at around 1 Kilometre per second.
• Roman Candle - This is a long tube-shaped firework that fires several stars into the air.
• Stars - the bright burning objects that make the firework affects you can see. These can be various colours and sizes
• Waterfall - A series of fountains attached upside down on a wire that is suspended above the ground. These are all ignited at once and produce a shower of sparks that look a waterfall
• Willow - Similar to a Chrysanthemum but leaves long burning trails of stars in a weeping-willow like effect

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