|
This is the question and answer section where you Ask Bob Kellner, President of Kellner's Fireworks any pyro related question
you may have and we will post them here. Go ahead and ask your questions here
|
| Question: Where can I find the double spiral report rockets and reverse spiral rockets, and how much do they cost?? - Eric S. |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Eric, Thanks for writing. I think you must have seen these amazing rockets on the YouTube videos from our pyro club night in April. Those rockets were a work of art, designed and produced by a master fireworks maker, purely for the enjoyment of the fireworks lovers that attended our event. They are not mass produced for sale. If they were, they would probably take so many hours to produce that nobody could afford them. If you are interested in learning how to make rockets, I would advise you to join the Pyrotechnics Guild International www.pgi.org. The PGI is a great place to learn safe pyro. Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
| Question: I would like to order some snappers for the kids and I was wondering which ones you think are the best (loudest). - Jeff S. |
| Bobs Answer: Jeff, please be careful when looking for loud snappers. I have seen some very powerful ones this year that scare me and they are definitely not good to give to children. You can tell the difference by reading the box. Snappers such as we carry have boxes with labeling that states that the snappers are "NOVELTIES, IN CONFORMANCE WITH APA STANDARD 87-1". These are not fireworks and are limited to 1mg per snapper of silver fulminate (the explosive composition). Snappers that are labeled as "Fireworks" do not have such a restriction on composition and can be very loud. Before they can be transported in the United States, "Fireworks" Snappers are supposed to be tested per The United Nations Recommendations on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods for things like "Drop Sensitivity". That's a pretty important test and so far, I've seen no test results for these items and Kellner's has declined to carry them. |
| Question: "I am the owner and operator of a fireworks company based in NY. I recently received one of your fliers from the mail and was thinking about purchasing some of your products. I currently have a few questions. I have my ATF federal explosives license, however I am still waiting on NYS to issue my local one. I am emailing you for one, to see if you have a firing course or certification of any sort that could give me a letter, or certificate for safety and handling because NYS thinks because I am trying to start a new company I am incompetent. I am currently working with a company as an employee doing shows, but that is not good enough for them. Is there any sort of thing that you provide or would be willing to help me achieve. I have previously worked with many consumer fireworks since a very young age and am very familiar with local, and federal laws at this time. I would love to order a few cakes from you but I'm sure the rules are very strict when it comes to selling them. Any information would be a great help because I was hoping to "satisfy" NYS by July 4th to do a small show locally, but still need my certificate from them to do so." - James D. |
| Bobs Answer: Since you are in New York and we are in Pa, all you need to buy fireworks from us is your ATF federal explosives license. However, you will need your NY state license to store the products. Every April we have the local fireworks club, The Pyro Artists, present the Pyrotechnics Guild Internationals Display Fireworks Operator Certification Course at our facility. It is a all day class filled with great information that should keep you safe on the firing line and should more than satisfy your state requirement. For more information on our next class, please keep checking our website. For more information on the Pyro Artists fireworks club, please see their website www.pa-pyroartist.org. |
| Question: "Whatever happened to 1.3g (Class B) items THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT...CRACKER BOMBS....EXTREME ADVENTURE...AIR COMBAT... a lot of these items were really good..POISONUS SPIDER..I KNOW THESE ITEMS ESPECIALLY THE CRACKER BOMBS WERE A HOT SELLER...FLASHING THUNDER...BIG THOUNDEROUS i know all good things come to an end but what happened?????????? THANKS BOB FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY QUESTION.........RICH S." |
| Bobs Answer: "Hi Rich, Let me start with the Cracker Bomb firecrackers. Those babies were loud, and you're right. They sold well. Unfortunately, not every licensee that bought them were using them in their shows. Many of these were ending up in the hands of the general public, and I even heard that they were on shelves at a fruit stand. That is when the US Consumer Product Safety Commission stepped in and stopped the importation of these. CPSC only has jurisdiction of "consumer items" , not "professional items". However, they argued that since they got to the general public, they were consumer items. I believe the importer was threatened with confiscation and fines if they ever brought them in again and that was the end. Regarding Flashing Thunder and Thunderous Torch Roman Candles, the professional use of roman candles has really dropped off the last few years. It used to be that display operators would spend days making set pieces, such as tank battles and cannon battles. However they are mostly a thing of the past. Multi shot aerial cakes are taking their place in shows and we've decided to eliminate most Roman Candles from our catalog. Regarding the Poisonous Spiders, Stroke of Midnight, Extreme Adventure and Air Combat. Those were all Display Firework multi shot aerials from either Guangxi (southwestern China) or Beijing (northeastern China) in the past. Most of those factories are gone and almost all of the multishot aerials are now coming from factories in Hunan (east central China), since their labor is lower and it is closer to the port of Shanghai (where most fireworks ship from). I think you would be very happy with our new BOSS Build on Site System multi shot aerial rows that you can make into any color combinations, speed and style of cake. They also don't have to be stored in a magazine since they are classed as 1.4g. You should try them. However, we do need to get the cool spinning Poisonous Spider effect in the BOSSsystem. 
|
| Question: "Hi Bob, I'm interested in purchasing several cases of your 1.4G #200 and #500 single-shot aerial shells. Can you tell me a little bit about them? Are the breaks even close to 1.3G? How about the effects? If you were to choose between the two, would you recommend the #200's over the #500's? I eagerly await your reply. So far, no one has been able to answer my questions on these, beyond generic answers. Thank you, Bob!" - Matt R. |
| Bobs Answer: "Hi Rich, Hi Matt, About the #200 and #500 consumer aerials, here is a little background. In order for a 1.4g aerial device to be approved for transportation in the U.S. without special testing, it must meet the following criteria per tube:
It really doesn't matter what the diameter of the item is, a 1.4g aerial is limited to 60 grams of composition. The #200's have a 2 3/8 ball inside them and the #500's have a 3 . However, they both have the same amount of total composition (60g). The #500's do have a little more room in the shell and therefore can have a little fancier effects such as strobing pistils. The #200's tend to be plain chrysanthemum and peony break shells. Which ones to pick really depends on what effect you are looking for. Matts response: "Wow. That was an awesome explanation. I appreciate that very much! I always wondered how this all worked out. Thank you again!" |
| Question: Hello - I am a Florida resident, and have been enjoying setting off fireworks displays for family and friends safely, but still only consumer grade (South of the Boarder stuff) :(. Last year I was visiting in Long Island NY, and saw numerous spectacular "professional grade" displays being performed by normal residents from their backyards. I was salivating to say the least... I said to myself, that I want to be able to set off displays like that myself as well, have been searching with no luck until now! Since you are the experts, and I can see on your extensive website that you have the stuff I have been looking for, my question is how can I obtain your "professional grade" components like 12" shells, tubes, igniters, Finale packs, etc... I am a FL resident, so the Fireworks are for use outside of PA. Do I still need a permit from PA for you to sell them to me? Do I need one from FL for you to sell to me? Please advise what documents I need for you to sell your serious firework items to me, and I will get them to you ASAP.... Paul " |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Paul, Sorry, but In order to buy the profession grade fireworks (1.3g fireworks, formerly Class B), you first need to obtain a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The four criteria that ATF looks for are:
|
| Question:
"Bob one last question, this time about some fireworks maybe I can purchase off you, included I have a link, Youtube video in this video at 2:10 there is 3-4 extremely loud fireworks maybe palm trees, shooting a blue color. This is a performance at Disney world I'm trying to replicate and I was wondering if you have something similar you sell to these.
The other was at 5:00 where there are a large amount of white (flare?) cakes that are extremely bright, this I would relate to the 29.99 flyer I got about the 10 shot cakes. Is there something like this that you make?" .... James D |
| Bobs Answer: Hi James, Yes, the items at 2:10 look like our B611 Palm Trees. However, the item at 5:00 has stumped me. I'll do some checking on it and get back to you. Bob Bob's Friend Roger Answers: Bob: The snowball comet effect is nicely employed in the Showcase Lagoon display. I have seen these devices before at displays in Europe, and I would contact Panzerra or Parente of Italy for additional insight. The feature which makes these comets distinct is not the intensity of the white light, but rather the absence of a comet trail. As you know, the typical silver comet coruscational trail is attributable to burning metal particulates which are shed from the stars burning surface and essentially complete their combustion relying upon ambient air oxygen. I suspect the snowball comet composition does contain magnalium, and/or titanium, and/or possibly magnesium, but the metal average particle size is small (less than or equal to about 500 micron (35 mesh). That is, it likely does not contain "flake" metallics, as their presence would definitely encourage trail production. KR, Roger James, I don't always know the answer to every question, but I can usually find someone who can answer it. Bob |
| Question:
"I usually go to Ohio every year where I buy a bunch of fireworks for the 4th of July. I recently came across the Kellner's Fireworks website. I see that you are located in Grove City which is a lot closer to me than Ohio. Being a PA resident...do I need a permit?? I never needed one buying from out of state and I cant understand why I would need one to buy from your store?
Thanks! Brian" |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Brian, Consumer fireworks are federally legal for people to use. However, every state can make more restrictive laws. In Ohio, people can buy fireworks but not use them in the state. In Pa, residents need to get local permission to use aerial fireworks (a permit) before we can sell to them. Some local governments require insurance, some charge fees, some say yes to everyone and others say no to everyone. A couple of local township have made their permits available at our stores for $20 to any of our customers that would like to use them there. If you want to get a permit where you live, you'll have to check with your local government office. Otherwise, we can only sell you sparkling items like fountains and wheels. |
| Question: "I purchased quite a few cases of the cake festival balls at the demo nights. I seen quite a few shot during the open shooting and was impressed with the performance of the cake. When I returned home I shot a couple out of the cases I bought and was very disappointed . I have talked to a couple other people and they said there was two different versions of this cake this year. Is there any information you can give me on this item." ... Brian B. |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Brian, You ask a very good question. For a firework to be approved for sale and transportation in the U.S., it needs an approval number from the US Dept. of Transportation. This number is called an E.X. number . To obtain this number, an item must either undergo expensive UN dangerous goods testing, or follow the guidelines of a document called APA Standard 87-1. 87-1 is a document produced by the American Pyrotechnics Association and incorporated by reference into the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is a great tool for a fireworks company and it lets a company apply for approval without sending a live sample to a lab and applying for a E.X number through it is free. Using 87-1, a 1.4g aerial item such as the 19 Shot Small Festival Balls is limited to 200 grams of total composition, and busting (opening) charge shall not exceed 25% of the total pyro weight. Any burst charge containing metallic powder (such as fine aluminum) is considered to be intended to produce an audible effect, and is limited to 130milligrams. Burst charge consisting of only black powder is not considered to be intended to produce an audible effect when it is used to expel and ignite a secondary effect (stars). The current discussion (argument) between our industry and the US DOT is whether a factory can add a little 130mg kick of aluminum powder to the black powder break of a 1.4g item or not. Personally, I feel that it creates no addition danger and adds a little pop to the aerial break to make a fuller effect. I feel that a only black powder break makes a dump effect and is not nearly as good. Until this question is resolved (both for the US and other countries), I'm afraid that some of the factories are being cautious and producing items with only a black powder break (such as the factory that made the Festival Ball cake this year). In this post 911 world, nobody wants to be accused of selling illegal explosives. We at Kellner's love good fireworks, and we will continue to work with our industry, factories and regulators to get our customers the best possible fireworks. I will let you know how things end up. |
| Question:
"Hello, I used to shoot with a company that bought Professional Fireworks from Kellner's. I was fond of one type of re-loadable shell, the "Titanium". You know the one that would have a flash of light and then a huge boom! Well, I was wondering if you sold or if they made a Titanium shell for Common Fireworks category? Or maybe something close?
Thanks." ... Jason H. |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Jason, What you are referring to is a Titanium Salute. These are aerial shells filled with a mixture of aluminum, potassium perchlorate and sulfur, known as flash powder. The crowd always loves these at a fireworks show. Unfortunately, the federal government only allows 130 milligrams of flash powder in a consumer firework aerial item. This is only equivalent to about three firecrackers, so the bang isn't too loud. Therefore, consumer fireworks aerial items are almost always with a nice color break and not with a huge boom. |
| Question:
"Hi Bob, I just have one question for you, but before that I want to thank you and all the great people at Kellner's for making this 4th of July the best I have ever had!!! I cant wait to see what you have in the works for next year. But I know what ever it is it will be great as all your products are!!
So here is my question I was wondering what happened to the sky warrior double break shells when I first bought them the bursts where huge and very full. So this year I bought a case of them and used them as part of my finale and I couldn't help but notice that the bursts where smaller and much less full. I stilled enjoyed the effects they added to my show but could you please bring back the old version of the sky warrior shells. Thank you again for the great fireworks and a great 4th of July, David H. P.S The #500 Picture Perfect Collection 3" tubes are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't change a thing unless you can make them even better! " |
| Bobs Answer: Hi David, Thanks for your kind comments. You've asked a very good question regarding the #8804 Double Break Sky Warriors. I'll try to explain this complicated issue to you. First, for a firework to be approved for sale and transportation in the U.S., it needs an approval number from the US Dept. of Transportation. This number is called an E.X. number . To obtain this number, an item must either undergo expensive UN dangerous goods testing, or follow the guidelines of a document called APA Standard 87-1. 87-1 is a document produced by the American Pyrotechnics Association and incorporated by reference into the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is a great tool for a fireworks company and it lets a company apply for approval without sending a live sample to a lab and applying for a E.X number through it is free. Using 87-1, a 1.4g aerial item such as the Sky Warriors using a burst charge containing metallic powder (such as fine aluminum) is considered to be intended to produce an audible effect, and is limited to 130milligrams. Burst charge consisting of only black powder is not considered to be intended to produce an audible effect when it is used to expel and ignite a secondary effect (stars). The current discussion (argument) between our industry and the US DOT is whether a factory can add a little 130mg kick of aluminum powder to the black powder break of a 1.4g item or not. Personally, I feel that it creates no addition danger and adds a little pop to the aerial break to make a fuller effect. I feel that a only black powder break makes a dump effect and is not nearly as good. Until this question is resolved (both for the US and other countries), I'm afraid that some of the factories are being cautious and producing items with only a black powder break (such as the factory that made the Festival Ball cake this year). In this post 911 world, nobody wants to be accused of selling illegal explosives. We at Kellner's love good fireworks, and we will continue to work with our industry, factories and regulators to get our customers the best possible fireworks. I will let you know how things end up. Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
| Question: "Just a quick question, on a recent visit to the store about four days before the 4th, I was looking for an item called the Area 51 sky flyer but none were left in stock. It must be a hot item and I was really impressed with this item that I made a specific trip for them. All I want to know when you are going to get more in stock because I will make the 1 1/2 hour trip to get these things. Thank you for your time and consideration." ...Bill M. |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Bill, You are right, the Area 51's where a good seller this year. We will be getting new stock in starting after Christmas. When you get our new price list in the spring, call in your order with a 50% deposit and we will be happy to hold it for you. This way you'll be sure to get every item that you want. Best Regards, Bob Kellner Bill's response: "Thank you for the answer, my friend and I are completely sold on those things and was a pleasure shopping in your store in PA. Thank you for one of the best 4th's in a very long time and can't wait for next year." |
| Question: Hi bob
My name is David and I have shot 1.3g for 7 years. I buy class C. from your store your #500 picture perfect is awesome for what it is.
I had a question on display shells. I know that the NFPA1123 the distance is 70' per inch of shell. I wanted to know what is the approx. distance a 3 - 10 shell will break at in the sky. I did not know if a 3 breaks under 200'. I was told that a 3 will break at 300 - 400 feet, but that did not make sense because of the safe zone at 70' per inch of shell. Thank You for any help. |
| Bobs Answer: Hi David, Here are the approximate heights and diameter of breaks that we have for shells. 3" Shells 300' height 30' break 4" Shells 400' height 70' break 5" Shells 500' height 90' break 6" Shells 600' height 125' break 8" Shells 800' height 500' break 10" Shells 900' height 650' break Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
|
Question: Hi bob
Great site! I'm a fellow PA resident and have been firing a neighborhood show consisting of consumer grade product for the past 3 years, each July under a locally obtained permit from the township. I'm looking to get an ATF license that would allow me to legally purchase and fire Class B product at next years show. In looking at the ATF "Application for Explosives License or Permit", I see several options for the permit type. Based on my criteria, which permit should I be applying for? - I'd like to purchase and fire Class B product 3 times per year, annually (each show permitted by my municipality) - I would like to employ contingency storage of the product - I do *NOT* intend on importing, selling, or distributing any product - I do *NOT* intend on manufacturing any of my own display items Can you give me some advice on which ATF license/permit I should be looking at? Thanks again, Frank |
| Bobs Answer: Hi Frank, You'd want the Type 54 User of Fireworks permit. You will need contingency storage from a licensed explosives magazine owner in case your show would get rained out or postponed. We provide this to all of our customers for product that they would buy from us, but BATF generally limits this to customers that live within a few hours drive from our facility. The other criteria that ATF looks for are: 1.) That you have local and state permission to have a fireworks display. 2.) That you have never been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment of more than one year. 3.) That you are at least 21 years old. If you meet all of these criteria, it should be no problem getting an ATF permit. If you can't, I'm afraid you'll have to make do with consumer fireworks. Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
|
Question: Hi bob
I was wondering if you could tell me how many cases of 3in. salutes I would be able to get without throwing up any flags to the ATF. I am just starting this and do not want to get into any trouble. my printer ran out of ink so I have to get more this week and then I will send you a copy of my liscense. Thank You: S**** |
| Bobs Answer: Hi S****, ATF doesn't care how many salutes you buy provided that: a) If you don't have a storage magazine, you use them all on the day of purchase and don't store them. b) If you have a type 4 magazine for storage, that you mix them with some color shells prior to storage and don't store them as bulk salutes. Other than that, blast away! Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
|
Question: I see other sites referring to 1.75" shell as a consumer class firework, but you have two items listed as Professional type.
Can these be purchased as consumer type fireworks? I am looking for 1.75" shells sold buy the box, and without the tube.
Thanks: P***** |
| Bobs Answer: Hello P*****, Sorry, but according to the US Dept of Transportation, 1.75" reloadable color shells can only be a consumer firework if put into a package with no more than 12 shells and a launching tube. Also, these shells must contain less than 60 grams of total chemical composition (lift charge, burst charge and visible/audible effect charge). Therefore, our bulk 1.75" color shells are classified as 1.3g Display Fireworks and cannot be sold to anyone without a BATF license. Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
| Question: How do you get a BATF license? |
| Bobs Answer: Here is the link to the BATF license. You'd want to apply for the User of Fireworks permit. http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-5400-13.pdf |
|
Question: I know you get this all the time but in SC and FL it seems most of our customers just want loud over effect.
Any suggestions of a few products that are super loud for consumer class?
G*** |
| Bobs Answer: Hi G***, I'm afraid that your customers are going to have to get used to effect over loudness. For a firework to be approved for sale and transportation in the U.S., it needs an approval number from the US Dept of Transportation. This number is called an E.X. number. To obtain this number, an importer usually has to follow the guidelines of a document called APA Standard 87-1. 87-1 was produced by the American Pyrotechnics Association and incorporated by reference into the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Using 87-1, a 1.4g aerial item is limited to 200 grams of total composition (500 grams for separated tubes), and busting (opening) charge shall not exceed 25% of the total pyro weight. Any burst charge containing metallic powder (flash powder) is considered to be intended to produce an audible effect loudness, and is limited to 130milligrams. Burst charge consisting of only black powder is not considered to be intended to produce an audible effect when it is used to expel and ignite a secondary effect (stars). The current discussion (argument) between our industry and the US DOT is whether a factory can add a little 130mg kick of aluminum powder to the black powder break of a 1.4g item or not. Personally, I feel that it creates no addition danger and adds a little pop to the aerial break to make a fuller effect. I feel that a only black powder break makes a dump effect and is not nearly as good. Until this question is resolved (both for the US and other countries), I'm afraid that some of the factories are being cautious and producing items with only a black powder break. In this post 911 world, nobody wants to be accused of selling illegal explosives. We at Kellner's love good fireworks, and we will continue to work with our industry, factories and regulators to get our customers the best possible fireworks. Check out our online videos and you'll find a lot of really good items with good effects, but none just made for loudness. Best Regards, Bob Kellner |
CEO Robert T. Kellner has testified in United States Federal Court as an expert on fireworks transportation and sales and served nine years on the board of directors of the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA).
Go ahead and ask your questions here