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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are open to suggestions if you have any ideas of what should be posted here.
Videos
How do I view your video clips? If you see a
icon next
to a product then it has a video clip to go with it. The clips are in wmv
format. You really need broadband and a fairly up to date computer to view them.
Click on the icon and the clip should stream within 5-10 seconds. You can save
the clip by right clicking on the item and selecting "save target as". We will video new products as
and when we can. New UN regulations come into effect July 2007 and some products
will become somewhat quieter. As new stock arrives we will try and update videos
should there be a change in the performance of a product. Products come and go, so the chance of us ever getting
everything videoed is somewhat remote! If you have Windows Media Player 11 and
Microsoft Active Sync (used for mobile phones etc) then you will get an annoying
prompt asking you to plug in your mobile device. This is a Microsoft bug and it
will happen whenever you try to play any wmv file. Hopefully they will fix it
soon.
Do I need some sort of license?
No! All fireworks in our packs can be legally sold to and used by members of the
public at any time of year. There are special rules that enable you to store fireworks at home for
your display. If you sell fireworks commercially you DO need a license!
How
do Sandling Fireworks compare with what's in the shops?
Shop goods have improved over recent years but cheaper ranges may contain more
empty space and packaging than firework!
Sandling Fireworks can be up to a third cheaper than shop goods, however you are
free to pick and choose in some shops if you don't mind paying the price. See
for yourself by looking at the web sites of other distributors and compare what
you get with what we have to offer. You will be pleasantly surprised.
I have been offered fireworks
from a van salesman or at a car boot sale. Why are they so cheap?
It is illegal to sell fireworks this way. Recent years have seen a huge
increase in illegal imports. Importers who distribute this way often have no
licensed storage, no insurance and do not batch test their fireworks. These
operators are out to make a quick buck. The quality of some of these fireworks
is quite awful! Avoid at all costs. Don't say we didn't warn you. See pics at
bottom of page!
Why are Sandling Fireworks better value?
By buying directly from the importer and manufacturer you are cutting out
the profit of the wholesaler and retailer.
How does the quality of Sandling Fireworks compare?
Most of our fireworks are manufactured to our specifications by Inter Oriental
Fireworks in China or assembled at our own factory in Gloucester. Because we
don't have the wholesalers markup to consider we can afford to have our
fireworks manufactured to a very high standard indeed.
Can I pick and choose my fireworks from your packs?
Unfortunately not! We spend half the year packing our fireworks and it would
cause havoc to unpack them again at our busiest time of year! You should be able
to choose any combination of fireworks you want from our Special Packs section.
Can I collect?
Because our fireworks are stored at several remote locations collection is not
possible. Our Airport address is an office only and is not licensed to
store fireworks.
I am worried about giving my details over the internet. How secure is it?
Any credit card details are transmitted to us in an encrypted form via a secure
server although your name and address is sent by standard email. It is probably
more secure than telephone or fax and to date has proved 100% reliable.
Why are some small shop fireworks labeled as display fireworks?
It is an unfortunate shortfall of British Standards that any firework likely to
produce sparks falling more than three metres away have to be labelled as display
fireworks. There is little that can be done until such time that British
Standards is superseded by a European standard or the European standard bites
the dust and British Standards can be revised.
When can fireworks be bought and when can they be used?
Sandling Fireworks is licensed to sell fireworks all year round. Other suppliers
not holding this special license are only able to supply at certain times of
year.
Fireworks can be used on any occasion any time of year. It is now an
offence to use fireworks after 11pm except for November 5th -12 midnight, News
Year's Eve, Diwali, Chinese Year, New Years Eve 1a.m. For garden parties it is a courtesy to
notify neighbours of your event. Avoid causing disturbance to hospitals, old
peoples homes, animal shelters, etc., and avoid using fireworks late at night. For larger displays the police should be notified — they merely need to know.
For public events the fire brigade and police should be notified. Nearby
airports or coast guards should also be warned where appropriate. If you have
not organized a display before, an advice book "Giving Your Own Firework
Display - How to run and fire it safely" is available Mail Order from HSE
Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS. The cost is £5.75 (including p+p)
and is a worthwhile investment. Organizations ordering our packs will
automatically receive POSTERS with which to advertise their event.
Can I buy shells from you?
Shells are only available to professional operators. There is no qualification
or license that enables you to buy shells. The penalty for supplying shells or
other Category 4 fireworks to the public is six month in jail or a £5000 fine!
It has now become an offence for members of the the public to possess Category 4
items.
How do I become a
professional?
To purchase Category 4 fireworks such as aerial shells you have run a firework
display company on a profit making basis. You also need licensed storage with
the necessary safety distance, full time products and public liability insurance
and a special driving license to transport explosives, to name but a few! You
also need to be able to prove competence, usually by working as a display firer
for a number of years. It is not a way to make easy money (if only!)! At the
moment there are about 150 display operators dotted around the country and
that's about 100 too many. There are several bankruptcies every year.
Firing displays sounds like fun! How do I get involved?
Standing in a field up to your knees in mud in horizontal sleet is not always
fun! If you want to know more about working in the display trade have a look at
the BPA website under Hot Topics,
careers in the firework industry. The BPA offer accreditation to firers by way
of a training course and exams. You can take BPA level 1 after you have helped
fire three professional shows and BPA level 2 after a further 12. Please note
that holding a BPA certificate does not in itself allow you to buy Category 4
fireworks.
Even if you do not buy our fireworks, please buy from a reputable company or risk this happening to you:
Look nice on the outside..........
But inside is a different matter. 90% empty space or polystyrene!