Since these designs and techniques first came about, the severity of the legal repercussions from accidents at displays has increased to the point where such an event, however unlikely, now represents an unacceptable legal risk to the display company. This is the second in a series of tutorials that introduce the concepts of chemistry to practicing pyrotechnists. The behavior of electrons in atoms is given as the fundamental explanation for all pyrotechnic processes. The periodic arrangement of the elements in a table and their tendencies to unite in chemical bonds are attributed to electrons. Even the production of heat, light, sound, and color in fireworks are ascribed to electronic movements.
All pyrotechnic compositions present some hazard due to their ability to produce energy.
However, some compositions may pose an added hazard because of the combination of incompatible materials. The use of such compositions may result in more frequent accidental ignitions during processing or spontaneous ignitions during storage. Other compositions pose an added hazard because of their ability to produce especially large amounts of energy with rapid reaction rates. The use of such compositions is likely to result in especially powerful explosions in the event of an accidental ignition. This article attempts an organized examination of some combinations of commonly used pyrotechnic chemicals, which are believed to have significantly increased hazard potentials.