Guidance on Bonfires and Fireworks for Events in Tunbridge Wells

This page brings together guidance from the Purple Events Guide, as well as best practice in health, safety and welfare at outdoor events. Providing a reference guide for event organisers planning firework displays, or bonfires within the Borough.

Fireworks are explosives and require careful planning, competent operators, and robust risk management.
Bonfires and fireworks must be managed safely to protect the public, property, animals and the environment.

Event organisers must consider legal restrictions, site‑specific risks, neighbour impact, and contingency planning.

Bonfire Safety

Do NOT burn:

Treated, or painted wood.
Rubber, plastic, foam, or furniture.
Household waste.

Bonfire Setup Guidance

Build away from buildings, trees and fences.
Do not leave bonfires unattended.
Keep a water supply (buckets or hose) nearby.
Supervise children at all times.

Types of Fireworks and Who May Use Them

Category of firework	Type of Fireworks	Who May Use Them
F1	Indoor fireworks	Amateur organisers. For smaller community or school events, trained amateur firers may run the display using lower‑category fireworks.
F2	Garden fireworks	As above
F3	Display fireworks	As above
F4	Display fireworks for professional use (requires specialist knowledge)	For public events, provided by a professional fireworks company.

Professional Displays

For public events, a professional fireworks company should usually be engaged to plan, rig, and fire the display.
Professional display companies may use F4 fireworks, provided they are trained, competent, and insured.
Professional companies should hold recognised training (e.g., BPA Firers/Senior Firers Qualifications).

Legal Restrictions and Standards

Event	Fireworks may only be sold by most retailers during:	Fireworks must not be used between 11pm and 7am except:
Bonfire night	15 October – 10 November	Until midnight
New Years Eve	26 December – 31 December	Until 1am
Diwali and Chinese New Year	Three days before Diwali and Chinese New Year	Until 1am

Fireworks sold in the UK must:

Meet BS EN 14035 standards and display CE, or UKCA marking

Site Selection for Displays

A suitable site must have:

Firing area – where fireworks are set up and ignited
Safety area – separation between firing area and audience
Fallout area – where debris will land depending on wind

Other considerations:

Ensure audience is positioned on only one side where possible.
Barriers and stewards must prevent unauthorised access.
A site visit with organisers, display company, and emergency services is essential.

Risk assessments must cover:

Site suitability
Weather conditions and wind direction
Firework types and firing angles
Misfire procedures
Fallout patterns and audience protection
Environmental impacts including smoke and debris
Rigging, firing, and derigging hazards

Plans should identify:

When items should not be fired
When the display should be altered or curtailed
When the display must be cancelled entirely

The final decision on safety must remain with the fireworks company.

Essential Safety Steps

Store fireworks in a closed box.
Read and follow instructions carefully.
Keep spectators at safe distances.
Light one firework at a time.
Never return to a lit or misfired firework.
Do not throw fireworks.
Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby.

Have a torch for checking instructions.
Have protective clothing (hat, gloves and eye protection).
Have a first aid kit, just in case.
A bucket of soft earth to stick fireworks in.
A non-flammable board for flat bottomed fireworks.
Suitable supports for catherine wheels.
Proper launchers for rockets.
Monitor wind conditions to prevent smoke drifting across roads.

After the Display

Collect all spent firework cases.
Leave suspected misfires for at least 30 minutes, then soak fully in water.
Thoroughly check the site before reopening it to the public.