About this app
This tool computes safety distances for large-scale fireworks according to the German BAM guideline Py/2012/2 (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing). Enter your effects, environment (wind, tilt angle, elevated launch), and get a directional safety perimeter immediately on map or schematic, with noise calculation and PDF export.
How is it calculated?
The base distance for each effect comes from the BAM table. From all effects in the show the maximum per direction is taken — the worst-case effect drives the perimeter. Wind and tilt corrections are then applied directionally.
Base distance
| Effect type | Safety distance |
|---|---|
| Ground fireworks, fountain | 20 m |
| Bomb ≥ 50 mm, no noise | max(0.8 × peak height; 0.8 × caliber [mm]) |
| Bomb with noise as primary effect | max(1.0 × peak height; 1.0 × caliber [mm]) |
| Rocket (launch direction) | 200 m |
| Cake / battery, peak ≤ 30 m | 30 m |
| Cake / battery, peak > 30 m | 50 m |
| Water bomb | 1.5 × max range + 2 × effect radius |
Wind correction
- ≤ 9 m/s: table value, no correction.
- 9 – 13 m/s: distance × 2 in wind direction (±60° sector).
- > 13 m/s: only ground-level fireworks. Otherwise × 3.
Tilt angle correction
| Tilt | Increase forward | Reduction backward |
|---|---|---|
| 0° – 5° | 0 % | 0 % |
| > 5° – 10° | +40 % | −20 % |
| > 10° – 15° | +60 % | −30 % |
| > 15° – 20° | +80 % | −40 % |
| > 20° | not permitted | |
Noise calculation
Point-source model: 6 dB drop per doubling of distance: d = 10^((L_source − L_target) / 20). Datasheets often state e.g. 130 dB at 25 m; the app converts that back to 1 m via L_1m = L_d + 20·log_10(d).
- 120 dB Austrian limit (PyroTG 2010) — max permissible level outside the safety distance. This distance is added radially to the safety zone.
- 110 dB recommended limit for residential / sensitive areas.
- 137 dB(C) peak threshold for crew — hearing protection mandatory above.
- Note: Germany's DIN 15905-5 allows 135 dB for the audience; Austria is stricter at 120 dB. The app uses the conservative Austrian value.
Multiple launch positions & tiers
You can define several launch positions (front-stage, side-east, etc.) and assign each effect to a position. The app draws one safety polygon per position. Effects are also grouped by tier: ground, mid-air and high-altitude fireworks.
Sources
- BAM guideline Py/2012/2 — "Sicherheitsmaßnahmen für das Abbrennen pyrotechnischer Gegenstände der Kategorie 4 (F4)"
- DGUV Information 213-049 / T 059 — "Sichere Technik Abbrennen von Feuerwerken"
- DIN 15905-5 (audience noise threshold)