Storage of Fireworks

The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 impose storage requirements for explosives, including fireworks.

Failure to meet these requirements may render anyone storing explosives liable to prosecution.

In general, any person who stores explosives must hold a registration or licence to do so (although there are some exemptions for the storage of very small quantities of specific explosives, or where certain explosives are stored only for very short periods of time).

In addition, any person who stores explosives must do so in a safe manner.

This page summarises the requirements of a 'registration' and the storage and storage for retail of fireworks sold in retail premises to members of the public.

Throughout these pages, reference is made to the 'net mass' (NM) of fireworks, which is the actual quantity of explosive contained within the fireworks. This is not the same as gross weight, which includes all the fireworks' immediate packaging, casings, sticks etc. If you do not know the net mass of a firework, it is taken to be ¼ of its gross weight e.g. if fireworks weigh 1000kg gross weight, they will have a net mass of 250kg.

How do I register for the storage of fireworks?

In Cheshire East, firework storage registration is administered by the Consumer Protection and Investigations Service. The relevant application form must be completed and returned with the correct registration fee. The application can be refused, or the registration revoked once issued, should the place of storage be unsuitable or the applicant be an unfit person to store fireworks.

How much can I store under a registration?

You are permitted to store up to 250kg NM of Hazard Type 4 fireworks. Most fireworks sold in retail premises are labelled 1.4G on their transit boxes and are generally classified as Hazard Type 4.

You are reminded that this is the maximum quantity that you may store. In some circumstances, you will not be able to keep this amount for safety reasons and a reduced amount must then be kept.

If you store larger fireworks that are labelled on their transit boxes as 1.3G, these will generally be classified as Hazard Type 3. If you store any Hazard Type 3 fireworks, the quantity that may be stored and rules for storage are different to that detailed in this leaflet, so you will need to contact us for further advice. It is also likely that it will be illegal to sell these fireworks to members of the public.

If you store more than 250kg NM of Hazard Type 4 fireworks, then you will need to be 'licensed' with Trading Standards or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Again, the quantity that may be stored and rules for storage are different to those detailed in this leaflet, so you will need to contact us for further advice.

How must I store the fireworks under a registration?

Any person who stores fireworks must take appropriate measures to-

1. Prevent fire or explosion;
2. Limit the extent of fire or explosion, including taking measures to prevent the spreading of fires and explosions; and
3. Protect persons from the effect of fire or explosion.

You must carry out a risk assessment and take appropriate measures to control the risks identified. The HSE have produced a 'Fireworks in shops retailers risk assessment checklist' that can be used as part of this risk assessment. A copy is available on the HSE website at under Manufacture and storage: safety requirements.

Detailed guidance on how fireworks should be stored and measures that should be taken can be found in the 'Manufacture and Storage of Explosives, Approved Code of Practice and Guidance' available from the HSE. You can order a copy from HSE Books telephone 01787 881165. Some of the main requirements for registration and firework storage are summarised below.

You can see more information on where to store fireworks in a retail environment in our storage of fireworks for sale section.

Where must fireworks be stored?

Fireworks can be kept in the building (shop) from which they are sold. However, the risk of a fire involving or spreading to fireworks is increased due to the other activities that take place in the working environment, including the presence of members of the public. It is, therefore, imperative that control measures are put in place to prevent the accidental ignition of the fireworks and to restrict the spread of fire, should one break out. These objectives are achieved by segregating the fireworks from sources of ignition/heat, other combustible / highly flammable goods and public access.

Methods of segregation can take the form of keeping fireworks in:

1. A suitable store room used solely for firework storage;
2. A metal ISO shipping container (preferably located outside) used solely for firework storage; or
3. Closed, fire resistant storage cupboards, cabinets or containers used solely for firework storage.

You must ensure that the place of storage is suitable for the quantity of fireworks that you are storing. The fireworks must not be kept in the sales area of the shop (except in the circumstances detailed below) and members of the public must not be able to readily gain access to the stored fireworks or to the areas where fireworks are kept.

Any container or enclosure used must be completely enclosed on all sides and substantially constructed. It must be suitably located and be well away from flammable or hazardous substances.

There must be at least half an hour fire resistance between the firework store and the sales area of the shop. The segregation methods listed above may not adequately restrict the spread of fire, so it may be necessary for the storage place to be constructed from materials achieving half hour standard of fire-resistance (for example, a breeze block, stud partition or other suitably constructed wall).

For any storage of fireworks, you must ensure that:

1. All fireworks and their storage locations are kept well away from flammable substances, materials that can easily catch fire and burn (for example, bulk quantities of paper and cardboard), and other hazardous substances (for example, lighter fuel, aerosols, white spirit, drain cleaner, fertilisers, paint or matches);
2. The fireworks are kept in closed transport packaging i.e. the brown cardboard transport boxes that they are delivered in;
3. Smoking is not allowed near the stored fireworks;
4. Sources of heat, such as portable heaters, are kept well away from fireworks;
5. Any electrics or lighting do not pose a risk of ignition. Electrical equipment (other than light fittings and fire detection equipment) must be removed and plugs blanked off. Electrics and lighting in storage cabinets and containers in which fireworks are stored must be disconnected;
6. Fireworks are not emptied into metal dustbins;
7. The fireworks are protected from damp and chemical contamination;
8. Entry to the room or store used for storage of the fireworks is restricted to those members of staff who need to be there;
9. The storage area must be kept clean of loose powder and unwanted empty packaging;
10. The quantities of fireworks being stored and handled in areas where people work or gather is controlled;
11. There are adequate, accessible and unobstructed fire escapes allowing people to escape quickly;
12. Suitable lightning protection for the store is present (unless the storage of the fireworks is temporary, for example, for no more than a few weeks on a seasonal basis);
13. A suitable fire warning system and fire detection system is installed. This should be suitable for the site and appropriate to the level of risk presented. For example, a smoke alarm may be appropriate in a shop storing a small quantity of fireworks but inadequate for larger firework stores;

You can see more information on where to store fireworks in a reatil environment in our storage of fireworks for sale section.

Metal ISO Metal Shipping Containers

If ISO shipping containers (or similar fully enclosed metal storage units) are kept in an area outside of the shop for firework storage, then:

1. They must be kept in an area away from public access;
2. Measures must be taken to prevent smoking in the immediate area of the container;
3. Where it is necessary to use an area of a car park, it is essential to take measures to prevent arson or other malicious attack. The container must be under constant supervision, or other physical measures must be taken to prevent unauthorised access to the area around the container;
4. Cars and vehicles must not be permitted to park within 3 meters of the container;
5. Where the container is kept in the goods delivery yard, it is important to put it in a suitable place in order to reduce the risk of it being hit by vehicles;
6. Fire Division 4 (Orange Diamond) signs should be placed on the container in order that fire-fighters can identify that the container contains fireworks from a safe distance.

You can see more information on where to store fireworks in a reatil environment in our storage of fireworks for sale section.

Storage adjoining or in the same building as domestic or sleeping accommodation

If fireworks are kept in a store within or adjoining a building containing domestic or sleeping accommodation, suitable steps must be taken to protect the residents of those premises in the event of fire. In particular, if more than 75kg NM of Hazard Type 4 fireworks are kept in such circumstances, then the following specific precautions must be taken:

1. A fire detection system must be installed in the shop;
2. The domestic parts of the building must have access / exit routes that are fire-separated from the firework store;
3. There must be suitable fire separation between the firework store and the domestic accommodation (for example, doors and floors/ceilings offering 30 minutes fire resistance); and
4. The store must be closed off and secured from the domestic part of the property to prevent unauthorised access (including access by children connected with the domestic accommodation) and to prevent the accidental introduction of sources of ignition.

You can see more information on where to store fireworks in a reatil environment in our storage of fireworks for sale section.