“Cold fireworks” does not exist
Looking for cold fireworks for a wedding, a party or an indoor show? You will find the word everywhere, but there is no such thing. Behind it are two very different effects. Here is what they are, in plain words, and which one you need.
Fireworks burn. Always. The question is how far the heat reaches.
Where the word comes from
Professional stage pyro is sold with labels such as “close proximity” and “no hot debris” or “low hot debris”. In plain words: close proximity means made to be used close to performers and audience, and no hot debris means that the sparks burn out in the air, so that nothing hot falls on the stage or the people. Somewhere along the way, those labels turned into “cold fireworks”.
But it is still real fireworks. It burns, it is hot, the package states a minimum safety distance, and by law only people with specialised knowledge and a pyro-pass may buy and fire it.
The two things people mean
- Stage pyro (indoor fireworks): fountains, flashes, waterfalls and coloured bursts, made for use at a few metres from people. Real pyrotechnics: it needs a licensed pyrotechnician and, depending on the municipality, permission. Great for a finale or a big reveal.
- Sparkular machines (“cold sparks”): an electric machine that heats metal granules and blows them out as a fountain of sparks. Not fireworks: no explosive mixture, no bang, no smoke cloud. The sparks are hot but cool quickly, so a classic Sparkular can stand at about a metre from the audience. Great for an entrance, a first dance or a TV studio. Read more on cold sparks (Sparkular).
Which one do you need?
- Indoors, close to guests, a moment that lasts: Sparkular cold sparks
- A short, sharp climax on a stage, in a studio or a stadium: stage pyro
- Colour and bursts high in the sky, outdoors: a real fireworks show
Not sure? Tell us about the venue and the moment; we advise what fits and what is allowed there.
Frequently asked questions
Is cold fireworks safe?
Both effects are safe when they are used by professionals, at the right distance, with the manufacturer’s rules. Neither is cold: stage pyro is real fireworks, and the sparks of a Sparkular are hot particles that should never be touched.
Can I buy cold fireworks myself?
Stage pyro, no: in Belgium it is sold only to people with specialised knowledge and a pyro-pass. Sparkular machines are rented out to professionals by our sister company Hyred; with Pyred they always come with an operator.
Do I need a permit?
For stage pyro and fireworks, the municipality decides, and the rules differ from one municipality to the next. For a Sparkular there is no national rule, but the venue can set conditions. See fireworks permits in Belgium.