Minimum Safe Distances
This guide to Minimum Safe Distances applies to any type of show using fire or pyrotechnics. You can always exceed the minimum safe distance (go farther out), but never decrease the distance in any situation. Remember, no flames, sparks or pyrotechnics will be permitted to cross, enter, go over, under, on, or around the audience.
Min Distance |
Description |
|
4 feet |
Finger fire, hand held finger props. |
|
5 feet |
No fire shall come closer than this distance to speakers, lights, or overhead structures. |
|
15 feet |
Minimum distance for indoor fire effects (NFPA 160) Chains, staves, torches or similar props. |
|
20 feet |
Fire puppets, flaming jump ropes, sparklers, staffs. |
|
25 feet |
All scenery and decorations are non-flammable or have been treated with a flame retardant. |
|
50 feet |
Fountains, firecrackers (1.4g Class C "safe and sane") or as approved by Fire Marshall. |
|
75 feet |
No smoking allowed or open flames. Minimum distance for Class B (1.3g) pyrotechnics. Minimum distance for Class B (1.3g) pyrotechnic set pieces |
|
80 feet |
Flame projectors |
|
100 feet |
Class B (1.3g) cakes. |
|
125 feet |
Class B (1.3g) fire bright work |
|
150 feet |
Unwanted fire (small event) |
|
190 feet |
Propane tank fire. |
|
200 feet |
Minimum radius for Class B (1.3g) effects such as roman candles. These have a fallout distance of 100'. |
|
215 feet |
Minimum radius for 3" Class B (1.3g) shells. |
|
265 feet |
Minimum radius for 4" Class B (1.3g) shells. |
|
370 feet |
Minimum radius for 5" Class B (1.3g) shells. |
|
500 feet |
Large unwanted fire |
|
600 feet |
Propane tanks burning out of control. Minimum radius for 6" Class B (1.3g) shells. |
|
850 feet |
Pipe bomb |
|
1000 feet |
Minimum radius for 12" Class B (1.3g) shells. Package bomb (1-25 lbs.) |
|
1500 feet |
Minimum distance for car bomb. Increase distance for larger vehicles. |
|
2000 feet |
Propane tank leaking out of control. |
|
2500 feet |
BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Evaporated Vapor Explosion) Stage any arriving units 2500 feet upwind. Position vehicles with head-out away from danger. |
There are other important considerations. If you are on stilts, you need to increase your distances for every foot you are off the ground. If you have 18" stilts and have fire fingers, you should be an additional 2' back from the audience. The idea is that if you slip or fall, there is no chance you will fall into the audience.
Some people find an issue with distances because they feel it breaks the intimacy with the audience. Intimacy is established in many ways, including eye contact. One could complain about the audience being 20' away or one could revel in the fact that there is good clear sight lines for an even larger group of people.
Fire blowing is allowed on a street with traffic so long as there is a traffic spotter and a fire watch.
Pyrotechnic Zones
Red Zone:
Prohibited access.
Distance - 7x quantity3
(ex. 1lb charge, perimeter=18')
With concussion mortars, the minimum distance is 25 feet.
Shatter Zone
Window breakage occurs from shock of ignition. This does not take into account the effects of shrapnel.
Distance - 65x quantity3
(ex. 1lb charge, perimeter=165')
Green Zone:
General protection Safe zone.
Distance - 120x quantity3
(ex. 1lb charge, perimeter=310')
Shatter Windshields
Distance - 10x quantity3
Crack concrete or brick walls
Distance - 19x quantity3
Plaster walls crack
Distance - 34x quantity3
No fireworks should be within 75' of any building, tent, trailer or vehicle.
Terrorist Bomb Threat Stand-Off
Ever wonder why Government agencies such as the Police restrict such a large area when they suspect a bomb? The potential for an explosive device could surprise you. Here is a list of distances for the worst case scenario for a device packed with explosives.
THREAT DESCRIPTION |
EXPLOSIVES CAPACITY 1 |
BUILDING EVACUATION DISTANCE 2 |
OUTDOOR EVACUATION DISTANCE 3 |
| Pipe Bomb | 5 LBS 2.3 KG |
70 FT 21 M |
850 FT 259 M |
| Briefcase or Suitcase Bomb |
50 LBS 23 KG |
150 FT 46 M |
1,850 FT 564 M |
| Compact Sedan | 500 LBS 227 KG |
320 FT 98 M |
1,500 FT 457 M |
| Sedan | 1000 LBS 454 KG |
400 FT 122 M |
1750 FT 534 M |
| Passenger Van or Cargo Van |
4,000 LBS 1814 KG |
640 FT 195 M |
2,750 FT 838 M |
| Small Moving Van or Delivery Truck |
10,000 LBS 4,536 KG |
860 FT 263 M |
3,750 FT 1,143 M |
| Moving Van or Water Truck |
30,000 LBS 13,608 KG |
1,240 FT 375 M |
6,500 FT 1,982 M |
| Semi Trailer | 60,000 LBS 27,216 KG |
1,570 FT 475 M |
7,000 FT 2,134 M |
1 — Based on the maximum volume or weight of explosive (TNT equivalent) that could reasonably fit in a suitcase or vehicle.
2 — Governed by the ability of an unstrengthened building to withstand severe damage or collapse.
3 — Governed by the of fragment throw distances or glass breakage/falling glass hazard distance. Note that pipe and briefcase bombs assume cased charges which throw fragments farther than vehicle bombs.
Source: BATF
Written by Wally Glenn
Edited by Neil Carlberg, Maque Da Vis' and Daniel Walsh.