How Are Fireworks Made?

Have you ever been in the middle of a firework display, head thrown back, mouth open, eyes shining in the reflection of a glittering night sky, and wondered how fireworks work in order to produce those incredible effects? If so, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll go over how fireworks are made.

What is Fireworks Night and why do we still celebrate it today? Read our guide to the medieval tradition.

How do fireworks work?

In its simplest form, a firework consists of some gunpowder or other explosive power in a containment like a rolled piece of paper, with a fuse attached. The banger fireworks of bygone times were made this in this simple way and gave children of past decades hours of irresponsible fun. Aerial fireworks (fireworks designed to shoot up into the sky) are a little more complex to make this action take place, they consist of several more components:

1. The stick

The literal stick that the firework is attached to. Usually made of wood or plastic, the stick allows the firer to make sure the firework goes in the direction they want it to. This is particularly useful if you’re preparing multiple fireworks and want to judge what your display will look like in action.

2. The fuse

The fuse is responsible for activating the firework once lit by the firer. The fuse will burn up to the charge and trigger the firework to launch. Firework cakes and barrages consist of several individual fireworks all attached by one single fuse. As the fuse burns it will light each shot in turn in a way the manufacturer has designed. Cakes and barrages are particularly convenient for producing a whole display while only needing to be lit once.

200 Shot Barrage Firework

3. The charge

The job of the charge is to launch the firework up into the sky, away from spectators to a safe distance. The charge will also lift the firework to a preferred viewing height so the effects can be seen properly. The charge is traditionally made with gunpowder, Potassium Nitrate, Charcoal, and Sulphur, although some recipes vary nowadays. Some fireworks, like fountains, do not involve a charge at all as their effects are designed to be watched from the ground.

Glacier Rising Fountain

4. The effect

The effect is the star of the show. This is the part of the firework that produces the light, flames, sparks, colour, sounds, and patterns of a firework that you see in the sky. Effects can be quite complicated in order to produce the desired results. Different explosives and chemicals are packed into separate compartments that go off at different stages in the firework’s life when the fuse reaches them. These are known as separate ‘stars’ in the overall effect of the firework.

5. The head

The head is the top of the firework. These are often designed in a cone shape to make them more aerodynamic.

Low Noise Fireworks

Another component often included in the effect part of a firework is known as the salute. The salute is responsible for making the signature loud bang that we associate with a firework. Low noise fireworks are made in without a salute in an effort to reduce their volume. Low noise fireworks are also made with smaller effects and lighter lift charges. Find out more about what to expect from low volume fireworks.