Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/141

 on account of the fact that it is more easy to observe the statutary distances from protected works. Protected works referred to in the Act include other workshops and magazines in the factory, and also dwelling-houses, factories, institutions, railways, highways, and various undertakings and buildings, the distances to be observed varying with the nature of the protected work from public highways to palaces or houses of residence of the King, his heirs and successors. In some cases, as with private dwelling-houses, the distance to be observed is about half, if the consent of the occupier to the erection of the factory building or magazine is obtained.

Firework factories, in fact all explosive factories, are constructed on the principle of limiting the scope and effect of any explosion that may take place to the smallest possible quantity of material and to the smallest possible risk to human life.

The working buildings are constructed with a door at either end to facilitate escape in case of danger; the quantity of chemicals and of partially or wholly finished fireworks is strictly limited, as is the number of persons employed in the building. This number varies with the nature of the operation being carried out, from one in the case of the most hazardous to six in some cases.

The working buildings are of light construction; the form most in use is a timber framing lined with matched boarding and covered externally with corrugated iron. No iron fittings are used, or iron nails left exposed in the interior. The floor is covered with linoleum, which is secured by copper tacks.

The distance separating working buildings is, generally speaking, twenty-five yards, or if a suitable screen is placed between two such buildings, this distance may be reduced to twelve yards.