So you’d like to Blow Stuff up for a Living
Tom Comet
Age: 37
Job Title: Technical Director and Lead Pyrotechnician--Circus Orange Inc.
With a name like his, Tom Comet could only be one of two things: a superherosu·per·he·ro
n.pl.su·per·he·roes
A figure, especially in a comic strip or cartoon, endowed with superhuman powers and usually portrayed as fighting evil or crime. , or a pyrotechnician--AKA, a fireworks expert! Skilled in all things that pop, sparkle and explode, Tom creates many of the dazzling fireworks displays that light up our skies on holidays like Canada DayCanada Day,formerly Dominion Day, Canadian national holiday, celebrated July 1. It is the anniversary of the uniting in 1867 of Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia as the dominion of Canada. and New Year's Eve. It's a fun job, but one that takes a lot of training and talent. Tom talked to KW about how you can find out if the world of fireworks is the right one for you ... safely.
KW: So how do fireworks work, anyway? What's a typical day like on a fireworks job?
TC: A typical clay starts really early in the morning, meeting at the warehouse loading all the pre-packaged fireworks or pyrotechnicspyrotechnics(pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. into the truck. The fireworks are shipped in big cardboard boxes and they are really heavy. Though not considered exceptionally dangerous, it is still 'explosives' that we are handling so we use the utmost caution. Heavy boxes are never slid along the floor in the off chance that one of the pyrotechnic items inside may have been damaged in transport.
The fireworks or pyro effects are delivered to the site. Usually we are outdoors so it could be hot, hot summer or -20[degrees]C winter. The boxes are opened and we make sure everything is there. We set out the holders for mortars that aim the fireworks skywardsky·ward
adv. & adj.
At or toward the sky.
skywards adv.. Mortars come in various sizes of plastic pipe with the bottom end blocked. The fireworks are dropped in one by one with their fuses hanging out. Again, we do this very carefully with no body parts over the mortar in case of accidental ignition.
We then attach 'electric matches' to the black powderblack powder
n.
An explosive mixture of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur, formerly used in firearms. fuses that are on each fireworks (shell). Come showtimeshow·timeor show time
n.
1. The time at which an entertainment, such as the showing of a movie, is scheduled to start.
2. Slang The time at which an activity is to begin.
Noun1.these e-matches will get a brief electric current sent to them which will cause them to ignite briefly which in turn lights the fuse which lights the lift charge (the initial effect that shoots the shell skyward). As the shell flies upwards a small time fuse a fuse, as for an explosive projectile, which can be so arranged as to ignite the charge at a certain definite interval after being itself ignited.
- Bacon.
See also: Time burns away inside it, unseen to the audience. At the same time the shell reaches its peak the time fuse reaches its burst effect that spreads the dazzling burning effects across the sky. Fireworks come in many sizes, shapes and colors but this is the basics of how nearly all of them work. All the e-matches are hooked up to a controller that is usually driven by a laptop computer. At show time all the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of effects are fired in perfect timing to music and a pre determined script.
After the show, all the shell debris must be carefully cleaned up and the area must be inspected very thoroughly for any un-burned effects. The mortars and all garbage are loaded back on the truck and go back to the shop. Fireworks days tend to be very long but the thrill of a great show always makes it worthwhile.
KW: What's the best part of your job?
TC: Getting to imagine, then design and create the largest scale artworks on the planet. Think about it. What painting, building or anything man made is bigger than a huge fireworks show. Yes, it is fleeting but that is part of the beauty too.
KW: What's the worst part of your job?
TC: Cleaning up filthy, stinking stinking
having an intrinsic fetid smell.
stinking elder
sambucuspubens.
stinking hellebore
helleborusfoetidus.
stinking iris
irisfoetidissima. mortars after the show in the pouring rain on a barge inVerb1.barge in - enter uninvited; informal; "let's crash the party!"
gate-crash, crash
intrude, irrupt - enter uninvited; "They intruded on our dinner party"; "She irrupted into our sitting room"
2.heavy waves. Yuck!
KW: What are some myths or misconceptions about pyrotechnics that aren't true?
TC: That fireworks is a dangerous profession. This is true to a degree. If one was careless he/she could get really badly hurt but in actuality there are so many built in safety precautions that it is very safe. I know almost everyone in the industry in Canada and I can't name one person who has been hurt. Yes, there are accidents but as an industry there is a great safety record on the whole.
KW: How dangerous is working with pyrotechnics, and what precautions do you take to make sure you are safe?
TC: We take lots of precautions. We all go through federal licensing and an apprenticeship program. The products themselves get safer every year. The Canadian Government tests all products that come into Canada. There's rigorous on and off site training, and a work journal is mandatory for all technicians. A permit is required for all pyro shows so the Fire Department is always checking up on us, too.
KW: How many people does it take to put on an awesome fireworks show? How many people are involved?
TC: A small show is 4-5 and a big show could be up to 20.
KW: What's the future of pyrotechnics? What do we have to look forward to from fireworks displays?
TC: We're seeing even more reliable products so that we can fire effects closer to the audience with no fall out. We're also excited about "green pyro" where the chemicals are more environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1]and made out of recyclable products. Plus, there will be a greater diversity of effects, designs and control by the firing systems.
KW: What's your favorite project that you've worked on?
TC: Toronto CityToronto City is a former Canadian football (soccer) team based in Toronto. Between 1961 and 1967, teams using this name competed in both the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League and the United Soccer Association. Hall's Cavalcadecav·al·cade
n.
1. A procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages.
2. A ceremonial procession or display.
3. A succession or series: starred in a cavalcade of Broadway hits.
.....Click the link for more information.of lights as we get to fire on a historic piece of architecture from three sites (two of which are high roof tops). It is very challenging but super rewarding as it is in our home City and a big event.
KW: If you weren't a pyrotechnics specialist, what would you be?
TC: Probably a movie prop builder or some other major 'hands on' profession.
Firework Fact:
Fireworks were invented in China in the 800s. Ancient ChineseList of ancient Chinese is a list of noteworthy people of ancient China. Different definitions of "ancient" China exist, but most agree that it is before the Tang dynasty. Related lists
A general listing of existing lists related to this topic.
.....Click the link for more information.fireworks were used on New Year's to frighten awayVerb1.frighten away - cause to lose courage; "dashed by the refusal"
daunt, frighten off, scare away, scare off, pall, scare, dash
intimidate, restrain - to compel or deter by or as if by threats evil spirits.
The tradition of coloured fireworks that we see today dates back to Haly in the 1830s. Metals that burn at high temperatures create colourful displays, as well as effects such as sparks and smoke clouds.
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Questions to answer (on your own sheet of paper with your name at the top):
1.Explain how fireworks function.
2.After reading the article do you feel that the job of a pyrotechnician is a safe one? Why or why not?
3.What is ‘green pyro’?
4.When were fireworks invented and who were they invented by?
5.What is a precaution? What types of precautions do pyrotechnicians take?
6.Explain, in a paragraph of at least 5 sentences in your own words, how a pyrotechnics show is set up.
7.Would you like to become a pyrotechnician? What type of training do you think is necessary?
8.What makes fireworks colourful?
9.What are 5 types of events that you might see fireworks at?
10.What is worst part of being a pyrotechnician? What do you think is the best part?