ISO 25947-5:2017

Overview

ISO 25947-5:2017 - Fireworks - Categories 1, 2 and 3 - Part 5: Requirements for construction and performance - defines construction, performance and primary‑packaging requirements for consumer fireworks (categories 1–3). The standard covers a wide range of article types (for example: aerial wheels, bangers, batteries, fountains, rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, party poppers, wheels and many more) and sets safety‑focused limits and testable criteria for materials, ignition, functioning and packaging.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and exclusions: Applies to consumer fireworks in categories 1–3 and explicitly excludes articles containing certain hazardous substances (e.g. arsenic compounds, lead/mercury compounds, white phosphorus, picrates) and specific chlorate/bromate/sulfur/zirconium limits. The standard does not apply to theatrical pyrotechnics.
• Construction materials: Bodies and bases must be non‑metallic materials that do not produce hard/brittle fragments; specific allowances (e.g. wood, staples) are only where technically necessary. Friction‑head articles require a primary‑pack striking surface.
• Specific dimensional limits: Example requirements include inner diameter limits for certain bangers and maximum tube angles for batteries and shot tubes (as detailed in the standard).
• Pyrotechnic composition: Type‑test requirements govern allowable compositions; restricted substances and particle‑size limits are specified.
• Means of ignition and fuses: Permitted ignition types, attachment and protection of initial fuses, and fuse performance are defined and verified by test.
• Performance testing: Functional checks include principal effects, flight/ascent behavior, stability, height of explosion, sound‑pressure levels, burning/incandescent matter, projected debris, extinguishing, burning rates and integrity before/after functioning tests.
• Type and batch testing: The document defines type testing, batch testing, sampling plans (referencing ISO 2859‑1), acceptance/rejection rules and test reporting requirements for quality control and conformity assessment.
• Primary packaging: Requirements for primary packs and striking surfaces to ensure safe transport, storage and ignition.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

• Fireworks manufacturers and designers - for product design, material selection and factory quality control.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessment bodies - to perform type tests and batch inspections.
• Regulators and importers/retailers - to verify compliance with consumer‑firework safety rules.
• Safety managers and event organizers - to understand safe handling, packaging and expected performance characteristics.

Related standards

• ISO 25947‑1 (Terminology)
• ISO 25947‑2 (Categories and types)
• ISO 25947‑3 (Minimum labelling)
• ISO 25947‑4:2017 (Test Methods)
• ISO 2859‑1 (Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes)

Keywords: ISO 25947-5:2017, fireworks standard, construction and performance, categories 1 2 3, pyrotechnic safety, primary packaging, type testing, batch testing.