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.
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.