FAQ
PERMITS
Regardless of whether we fire in city or county property, permits are required from the state and local fire marshal’s office. Pyrotex obtains these permits and the permit fees are included in the cost of your display. Some cities also require a stand-by fire watch, which may include a fire engine, and these fees will be disclosed with the initial proposal. Permits can take up to a month to process.
INSURANCE
Pyrotex carries a $5,000,000.00 liability insurance for our displays, per occurrence and $6,000,000.00 aggregate, written by an A+ rated company located in the U.S. We list the client, landowner, sponsor and city as additional insureds. We also carry $5,000,000.00 in auto liability for our fleet of vehicles and show trailers. All employees are covered under the Texas Worker’s Compensation Fund.
LICENSES
Pyrotex is licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Each Lead Pyrotechnician possesses one or more State Pyrotechnic Operator’s licenses – Firework Pyrotechnic Operator, Special Effect Operator, and/or Flame Effects Operator Licenses. Drivers are DOT certified and carry a hazardous materials transportation endorsement. All employees attend annual recertification and training classes, are regularly drug tested and are background checked through the ATF . We do not use contract labor nor do we subcontract shows through a third party.
AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION
Pyrotex shoots every display under the direct control of the local authority having jurisdiction, meaning the Fire Marshal, Sheriff, or other responsible party. Their word is law. They have the power to stop a display if it has the potential of harming people or property. Pyrotex will never break or bend any law to fire a display.
AGREEMENTS
Pyrotex always enters into a contractual agreement with our Clients when we stage a pyrotechnic display. The contract spells out the parties involved; the location and date of the event; what Pyrotex will provide; what the Client will provide; and, what and when the Client will pay Pyrotex. Depending on whether the display is indoors or out, there will be a specific cancellation policy detailed (see section below). There will also be a section on firing site concerns and needs, plus the issue of safety distances and security are addressed.
PAYMENTS
A non-refundable retainer equal to 50% of the display budget is due with the signed contract. We must receive your deposit to hold the show date. The balance is due prior to the event, plus any additional costs that you have approved. Payment is requested by check or secured funds.
CANCELLATION POLICY
A display may be cancelled by the client due to pending weather conditions or the client’s inability to secure and maintain a safe firing site. Displays may not be fired when winds exceed 20 MPH sustained. If the alternate date is also unusable, If the display is cancelled more than 24 hours prior to the day of the event, the client may apply the 50% non-refundable retainer to a rainout date specified in the signed contract and within 180 days of the original show. The new display price will be increased by 20% for the rescheduled show to cover new permits and labor for designing and building the new display.
REFUND POLICY
Should you decide to cancel your display at any time up to 24 hours prior to show time, you will forfeit the retainer of 50%. At that point, you will be responsible for the deposit plus any additional expenses incurred by Pyrotex on your behalf – we will provide a list of those expenses. Payment will be due immediately with a written notice of the cancellation.
INDOOR DISPLAYS
The fire code requires a minimum of 15 feet between the audience and any pyrotechnic effect; cast members and crew are allowed to be closer. All staging materials, including drapes, must be flame-retardant. There must be adequate ceiling height and ventilation in and around the effects. It is not uncommon for effects designed for indoor use to be used outdoors.