Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/142

 The workpeople are provided with non-inflammable outer garments, no pockets are allowed, and suitable overshoes of sewn leather or indiarubber are provided.

All tools are of soft metal, such as brass or copper, or of wood.

The regulations refer, of course, only to those buildings in which explosive work is carried on, that is to say, buildings in the danger area as distinct from the non-danger area.

The buildings in the danger area are working buildings, drying-rooms, expense and factory magazines. Expense magazines are those which are licensed for a comparatively small quantity of explosives, and from which explosive material is drawn as the work of the factory demands, or into which is put partially or wholly finished work either awaiting completion or transference to the main or factory magazines.

The non-danger area includes stores for chemicals, paper, and other material, also case rolling and drying sheds, sawmill, wood-working and paper-cutting shops, offices, and similar buildings.

The manufacture of fireworks begins with the making of the case or container, which, with the exception of shells and Jacks-in-the-box, are cylindrical in form.

What are known as "small goods" are "dry-rolled," that is, the outer edge of the paper only is pasted. They are then rolled up on a metal former on a slate slab.

The larger cases, such as rockets, gerbs, and Roman candles, have the paper pasted all over, which is rolled up on the former and consolidated by repeated rolling between the slate slab and a board provided with a handle.

There are two methods of introducing the composition into the cases—filling and charging.

Filling is used where the composition does not have to be consolidated, and is done with a wire and funnel, or as it was