Pyrotechnics & Firearms

Pyrotechnics, fire, firearms, and explosive device special effects are used in numerous film & digital media productions around the world. Each locality and jurisdiction may have varying rules and regulations and/or recommendations and advisory information that your production should follow and be familiar with to ensure the health and safety of your entire production, the surrounding communities, and the environment. The motion picture and television industry also follow union rules and regulations related to workplace safety including the use of fire, pyrotechnics, and firearms. Productions must follow all state and federal laws and regulations regarding the use of explosives and firearms.  Here are some resource tools to assist you while filming in Arizona.

Arizona Film & Digital Media provides information and resource links as a courtesy to productions. All productions are responsible for independently researching and following all state, federal, local laws and regulations regarding workplace safety, including but not limited to, the use of fire, explosives, and weapons.   

Regarding Fire burns & Pyrotechnic displays - see the following information and contact the jurisdictional environmental offices below:

Maricopa County - Rule 314, Sections 317 pertaining to Section 302 General Requirements  "No Burn" Days Calendar - http://cleanairmakemore.com/

Call the department at  (602)506-6010 to inquire if your specific burn MAY actually BE EXEMPT during an active burn day time period.

Pinal County - https://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/AirQuality/Pages/home.aspx

(520)866-6929

Pima County - https://webcms.pima.gov/government/environmental_quality/air/

(520)724-7400

ALL other areas: Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality.

Open Burn Permit Information

Air Quality Permit Liaison
602-771-2338
[email protected]

602-771-4416

Arizona Flame Retardant resources:

Fire-safe, fire-retardant paint, additive, and spray available from Arizona company, Flamecheck International, visit Flamecheck.com. 

Arizona Pyrotechnic Companies:

Fireworks Productions of Arizona - FireworksAZ.com 

480-948-0090 (office)
1-877-948-0090 (toll-free)
[email protected] 

Federal Laws & Explosives Resources:
ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) - Federal Explosives Law and Regulations (2012); ATF Explosives FAQs 

Industry Resources:

Safety Bulletin #16 - Recommended Guidelines For Safety With Pyrotechnic Special Effects Contract Services in LA links to this and other Safety Bulletins created and recommended by the Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee for the Motion Picture and Television Industry.  

Alliance of Special Effects and Pyrotechnic Operators (ASEPO)

Safety Advisory for Fire and FX in Entertainment  SAFFE is a non-profit organization for the open dialogue, training, presentation, and demonstration of fire and life safety practices in the entertainment industry.

Firearms / Prop Weapons Resources:
Arizona State Laws and Ordinances (see Title 13/Criminal Code/Chapter 13 - Weapons & Explosives)
NRA-ILA - Arizona Gun Law Summary
Federal Laws & Firearms Resources:
ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) - Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide (2014 Edition - Download); ATF Firearms FAQs

Industry Resources:

Safety Bulletin #1 - Recommendations For Safety With Firearms And Use Of "Blank Ammunition" ; Safety Bulletin #2 - Special Use of "Live Ammunition" - Contract Services in LA links to this and other Safety Bulletins created and recommended by the Industry-Wide Labor Management Safety Committee for the Motion Picture and Television Industry.  

Safety Tips for Use of Firearms by Actors' Equity Association
Movie Industry Firearms Safety Manual (by Jefferson Wagner) - Movie Gun Services, LLC (General and specific (NYC)). 

For questions regarding federal regulations while filming in Arizona, contact Arizona's local ATF offices listed below regarding questions or information relating to: