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Laws &
Licensing
Mortar Tubes &
Racks
Buying Fireworks
Making Fireworks
Your Display
Fuses
Administration
Advertising
Miscellaneous Forum
Questions
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Laws &
Licensing
What are the firework
laws in my state?
State fireworks laws usually fall
into one of four general categories: none, sparklers only, safe &
sane or all. Furthermore, individual states may not allow certain
devices for whatever reason. See this
page for information on each state's laws.
What are the firework
laws in my town?
I don't know. If you want to find
out, contact either your city clerk or fire marshal and ask them for
information. In most cases, city governments will have a printed
information packet stating all of your state local fireworks
ordinances, including what types of devices can be bought/sold, and
when.
Do I need a license to
purchase 1.3G (display) fireworks?
YES! In the United States of
America, at a minimum, you must have a BATFE type 54, 55 or 60 permit
to purchase ANY and ALL 1.3g items. This is in addition to any State
and Local requirements for purchasing 1.3g items!
For State requirements, visit your State Fire Marshal online or you
can check each individual State laws at this
page.
CPSC, BATFE, NFPA, DOT:
What are these?
CPSC = Consumer Product Safety
Commission
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable
risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of
consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries
and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation
more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting
consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical,
chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's
work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs,
power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -
contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of
deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past
30 years.
For more information, visit http://www.cpsc.gov
BATFE = Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives - Department of the Treasury
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a principal law enforcement agency
within the United States Department of Justice dedicated to
preventing terrorism, reducing violent crime, and protecting our
Nation. The men and women of ATF perform the dual responsibilities of
enforcing Federal criminal laws and regulating the firearms and
explosives industries. We are committed to working directly, and
through partnerships, to investigate and reduce crime involving
firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and illegal trafficking of
alcohol and tobacco products.
From a 1.3g perspective, BATFE is the Federal authority that is in
charge of the regulation of acquisition, storage and disposition of
1.3g display fireworks. The BATFE regulates the acquisition though
the use of the permitting process. How to obtain a BATFE permit,
different types of permits and costs associated can be found at the
Federal Firearms License Center.
For more information, visit: http://www.atf.gov
For BATFE permit/license information visit: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/fflc/index.htm
For a free copy of the BATFE Orange Book online, visit:
http://www.atf.gov/explarson/fedexplolaw/index.htm
NFPA = National Fire Protection
Association
The industry organization/board that is
made up of members from the BATFE, several State Fire Marshal
offices, Fire Services members, Fireworks Industry members (from APA
and PGI), military service branches and the Insurance industry. The
goal of NFPA where it pertains to fireworks is to create a code book
(code 1123) of how to setup, display and tear down a fireworks shoot.
This code is recognized by most insurance companies as the
"guideline" for discharging a fireworks display. Also, the
NFPA 1123 code is recognized by the courts as the code to follow when
discharging a display in a public environment (whether it be a 1.4g
or a 1.3g displays).
For more information, visit http://www.nfpa.org
DOT = United States Department of
Transportation
The Department of Transportation was
established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, the
Department’s first official day of operation was April 1, 1967. The
mission of the Department is to:
Serve the United States by ensuring a fast, safe, efficient,
accessible and convenient transportation system that meets our vital
national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American
people, today and into the future.
The DOT is the Federal authority responsible for regulating the
commercial movement of all goods in the United States. Especially the
transportation of any 1.4g and/or 1.3g hazardous material in commerce
on public roads.
For more information, visit http://www.dot.gov/
For specific CDL (Commercial Drivers License) requirements, please
visit your State's Secretary of State/DMV website.
What is an ATF permit,
and how do I get one?
In order to purchase 1.3g legally,
you must be BATFE permitted to do so. There are three
"flavors" of permitting: Type 54, Type 55 and Type 60.
Here's a brief description of each type of Permit:
- Type 54 - Good for 3 years and an unlimited amount of
1.3g purchases at any licensed distributor in the U.S. Costs $100
dollars to obtain, $50 dollars to renew.
- Type 55 - Good for 1 year and 1 purchase at a any
licensed distributor in the U.S. Costs $75 dollar per purchase.
- Type 60 - Good for 1 year and 6 purchases at any licensed
distributor in your State, exclusively. Costs $25 per year.
These are the types of Federal permits and you must have in order to
make at least one purchase of 1.3g, legally. In order to get any one
of these you must apply for a permit using the ATF Form
5400.13/5400.16 (part of a packet of information obtainable from the
FFLC - Federal Firearms Licensing Center). Prerequisites for a permit
from BATFE are:
- Must not be a fugitive from justice
- An unlawful user of or addicted to illegal drugs or substances
- Under indictment or information in any court for a felony or any
crime for which the judge could imprison you for more then one
consecutive year
- Must not be an alien in the United States
- Presently appealing a conviction of a crime punishable by
imprisonment for a term exceeding one year
- Never been convicted in any court of a felony resulting in
imprisonment for a term exceeding one or more consecutive year
- Never been adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a
mental institution
- Never been discharged from the Armed Forces under a dishonorable
conditions
- Never renounced his or her citizenship
- Must demonstrate the ability to store any unused product (must
have an explosive magazine or letter of contingency storage)
The last one is usually the GOTCHA! For 1.3g, you must demonstrate to
BATFE that you can legally store the explosive material. They don't
take your word for it as far as using all of your product the night
of the shoot.
If you know what type of permit you want and you meet the
prerequisites, your ready to contact the FFLC and get an application
packet mailed out to you. To submit your packet, you will need to
fill out the already mentioned 5400.13/5400.16 form, submit 2 FD-258
finger print cards that MUST be filled out by an officer of the law
and a 2x2 color photo along with your application fee. Once you pass
the background check, after about 80 or so days a local BATFE field
agent will be dispatched to perform an interview with you. The field
agent will go over the application you filled out, ensure you are
mentally stable and cover some orange book information (specifically
the procedure to report lost or stolen explosive material). After
your field interview, you'll get your permit, employee possessor and
responsible persons document in the mail and then your ready to
address the State and Local license/permitting.
Mortar Tubes &
Racks
What kind of material
can I use for mortars?
There are two major types of
materials that can safely be used for launching shells: HDPE and
fiberglass.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is
a very dense pipe made from a flexible polymer. Though a small piece
of it may seem rock-hard, it is actually very bendable in larger
lengths, making it ideal for use as underground piping because it can
withstand the shifting of the earth. This also makes it very safe to
use with fireworks, because if a shell were to explode in the tube,
the HDPE would absorb much of the shock. Though the tube would likely
become severely distorted (and useless thereafter), it would not
create shrapnel. In addition to being safe, these tubes are also very
durable - if cared for, they can last for decades. More and more
shell kits are now being sold with HDPE mortars rather than cardboard
ones (which are only good for a few shots).
Fiberglass tubes are made from a fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin.
Like HDPE, it appears to be stiff, but is actually somewhat flexible.
In the event of a burst charge explosion, fiberglass tubes absorb
much of the shock while directing the blast upwards and out of the
tube like a mine. Fiberglass tubes are used extensively in the
display fireworks industry, and can be found in some shell kits.
Cardboard tubes can also be used.
Most small shell kits come with a cardboard tube, but it should not
be used to fire more shells than the kit contained. Thicker
cardboard tubes are also available from some dealers. One way
of chemically hardening cardboard tubes can be found here.
Which diameter/length
should my mortars be?
Diameter
The inside diameter of the tube needs to be somewhat larger than the
outside diameter of your reloadable shells, but not too much. Too
small, and the mortar might get stuck in the tube: too large, and the
mortar may not lift to a safe height before the burst charge fires. Most
reloadable shells are ~1.75" outside diameter. There are also
reloadable shells that are ~1.5" and smaller.
For HDPE tubes
- 2"IPS-SDR11 has an ID of
~1.9", and is fine for all ~1.75" shells. This is the
size most commonly used, if you only have the budget for a few
mortars, get them in this size. Generally, you do not want to use
this size for ~1.5" and smaller shells.
- 2"IPS-SDR9 has an ID of
~1.8", and will work for most 1.75" shells.
However, there are some which are know to usually not fit,
such as some canister shells. For those shells that do fit, using
SDR9 mortars will provide louder lift and higher breaks than if
fired from SDR11. SDR9 can be used for ~1.5" shells, but is
not recommended for smaller shells.
- It is important to note that the
outside diameter of shells is not tightly controlled.
Neither is the inside diameter of most HDPE tubing. Expect some
performance variation as a result.
- 2"IPS and 2"DIPS are not
the same size, do not interchange them. (Most HDPE is sold in IPS
sizes, so this should not be a common problem.)
- SDR and DR ratings are effectively
the same thing, it is OK to use pipe that does not have the
"S".
- For a table of "Typical Sizes
and Dimensions" of HDPE Pipe, click here: http://www.isco-pipe.com/pdf/ips.pdf
Fiberglass
Fiberglass mortars for consumer
shells are typically ~1.88", and suitable for all ~1.75"
shells. Some vendors have smaller sizes available, but they aren't
common to find. (Please note that, unlike HDPE, a 2" fiberglass
mortar is really 2" inside diameter and too large for consumer
shells.)
Cardboard/Paper
When buying any cardboard or paper
tubes for use as mortars, make sure they are designed for that
purpose. Reputable on line vendors, such as Skylighter
and others, specialize in pyro-specific products, and will make sure
you get the right tubes.
Given the longevity, availability, and affordability of HDPE and
Fiberglass tubes, they are probably a better choice than
cardboard/paper tubes for ~1.75" shells. However, for all
~1.5" shells, cardboard/paper tubes are more readily available
and probably a better choice.
Length
The following information applies to all mortars, regardless of
material:
Aerial Shells
An overall length of 12" is sufficient for most shells. Some
users report higher breaks with 15" mortars, but there are no
guarantees. The fuses on many shells are not long enough to reach the
top of a 15" tube, so you would need to add a short piece of
visco to the fuse in order to be able to light it safely.
Longer mortars, ~15" or so, are generally recommended for
multi-break shells.
Mines
Mortars for mines should be 6-10" long. Shorter mortars result
in lower and "fatter" spreads of the stars and material,
longer mortars result in taller and skinnier spreads of stars.
Shorter than 6", and the mine may be too wide and low for
safety. Many mines have shorter fuses than aerials, so they won't be
able to reach the top of a mortar tube longer than 10".
I can't find HDPE pipe!
Where can I get it?
Unfortunately, most plumbing stores
don't carry HDPE - often times the store employees have never even
heard of it. Usually it can only be found at large industrial
plumbing supply places. You can also purchased pre-cut, plugged
pieces of HDPE pipe from Pyrogear.net,
which specializes in making mortars for fireworks.
Why shouldn't I use PVC
pipe for launching shells and mines?
PVC (polyvinylchloride) pipe should never,
ever, under any circumstances, be used to launch
aerial shells or mines. It is a very brittle substance, no matter how
thick it is. It cannot withstand the force of a powerful
explosion, like that of a shell’s burst charge – yes that’s
right, even consumer shells. If a shell were to be loaded upside-down
in the mortar (or for some other reason get stuck), the explosion of
the burst charge will shatter the PVC into razor sharp pieces
of shrapnel that fly in all directions. Anyone standing nearby
could be seriously injured or killed.
Don F, a forum member, provided us
with these pictures of a test he conducted with PVC and HDPE.
Here’s what he had to say:
"I submit these real life
demo photos take a few moments ago. (Keep in mind the PVC tube was
placed in side a 3" cardboard mortar with 3/4" wall
thickness for safety reasons). If you notice there are a number of
medium large shards missing , The reason is they are deeply embedded
in the 3 inch mortar tube. Notice the HDPE tube is in one piece even
though it is deformed. Both of these failures were purposely done buy
inserting a shell upside down. Do not attempt this test on your
own!"
Also, take a look at this video
clip, kindly provided to me by Dan Goodsell. This was
done on purpose at a training seminar to show everyone what happens
when a shell (in this case, a 3" salute) is loaded improperly
into a mortar. You'll see the initial puff of the lift charge
(which fails to launch the shell because it is upside-down), then
after a few seconds, the burst charge completely destroys the rack.
The leftover HDPE tube is shown on the right - destroyed, but not
turned into deadly shrapnel.
Bottom line:
Do not be tempted to buy PVC pipe because of low prices and
availability. Furthermore, do not try to make PVC “safer” by
burying it in the ground, encasing it in cement, or “reinforcing”
your racks with extra wood. It is not worth the risk.
Okay, well what about
ABS pipe?
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a
different type of plastic, but it shatters just like PVC. Do
not use it for mortars or mines, either.
Can I use metal pipe
for launching shells?
Yes. Metal pipes are mainly
used to launch very large shells, i.e., around 12" and up.
They're not used very often anymore for smaller shells simply because
of their weight. If you use metal pipe for your shells, make
sure it's thick enough (at least 1/8 of an inch).
Help! The only pipe I
can find for my shells has an inside diameter of 2". What should
I do?
A somewhat effective method I have
found is to slightly increase the diameter of the shell itself.
Unwrap the fuse of the shell, and take it out of the string loop at
the top. Gently bend it back so it's out of your way. Get
a roll of duct tape, and rip off several 6" long strips.
Tear each of these strips in half, lengthwise. Now start
wrapping these around the middle of the ball of the shell, keeping
track of how many you put on. Periodically insert the shell
into the tube to make sure it still fits - stop adding tape when it
just barely goes in. Put the same number of tape strips on each
shell you plan to launch from a 2" tube.
Buying
Fireworks
I live in (some city)
in (some state). Where can I buy fireworks?
Check out the dealer directory
forum, which lists fireworks retailers/wholesalers by state.
You may also want to try the links page. I would recommend
checking out the companies that have banners on this site, because
their paid advertisements help fund the costs of running Pyro
Universe
Where can I buy
fireworks online?
Most firework retailers will not
ship to you due to high costs and the few number of carriers that
will actually transport fireworks (USPS and UPS will not).
Larger wholesalers may ship using their own transportation services.
Again, your best bet is to check out the Buying Fireworks forum to
see if any dealers near you will ship your order.
When will (some item)
be back in stock at (some firework vendor) in (some state)?
I have no idea. The best way
to find out would be to contact the dealer directly, or go to the
forums. If it's a larger dealer, you will most likely be able
to find a discussion regarding the company's shipment and inventory.
What are the best
fireworks?
There are a number of places to read
user-submitted firework reviews, including Pyro
Review and Fireworks
Review, and the "Recommendations
& Reviews" forum here on Pyro Universe. Be
sure to check out the threads listing the "Best of 2006":
Best
Candles
Best
Shells
Best
Cakes
Best
Rockets
Best
Single-shot Tube
Best
500-gram Cake
Best
Fountain
Best
Novelty
What is the
"loudest" (or most "powerful") firework I can get
and where can I buy it?
In the United States, all 1.4G
consumer fireworks must adhere to strict powder limitations.
Ground devices such as firecrackers can only contain 50 mg of flash
powder (the chemical that causes the "boom") per cracker,
and aerial devices can only contain 130 mg. This means that all
"loud" fireworks make about the same amount of noise,
slight differences in which are only due to the device's
construction. Any firework that is manufactured (whether
intentionally or by accident) with a greater amount of flash powder
is considered to be a 1.3G (display) device, which is illegal for an
unlicensed individual to buy, possess, and use. Known as
"overloads", these devices are almost always discovered by
the CPSC and pulled from the market within a year or two of their
appearance in the US. Drawing attention to overloaded firework
devices is not tolerated on the forums - see the rules page for more
info.
Are there any 1.4G
(consumer) salute items, such as cakes?
Depends on what you consider to be a
"salute". As mentioned above, each shot in a display
cake can only contain 130 mg of flash powder (a small fraction of the
amount found in an M-80), which doesn't produce a report much louder
than a firecracker. You cannot legally purchase devices
Can someone buy some
fireworks for me (and drop them off at my house)?
Odds are that if you're asking this
question, you're either underage or live in an area where fireworks
are outlawed, and in that case the answer is no. If fireworks
are legal where you live, you may want to consider taking part in one
of the many group wholesale purchases that take place around the
country - check out this forum to see if any such buys are being
planned in your area.
How and where can I
get some 3" shells (or larger)?
In the United States, consumer
firework shells cannot be greater than 1.75" in diameter.
Larger shells are considered to be 1.3G (display) devices, which you
cannot legally purchase without proper ATF licensing. Illegally
obtaining such items will get you fined and probably put in jail.
Making Fireworks
How do you make
fireworks?
It would take dozens of pages just
to explain the proper safety techniques of handling the
flammable/toxic/corrosive chemicals used in making fireworks, not to
mention the in-depth instructions on how to make the actual
fireworks. That's why books about fireworks manufacture
are published. Furthermore, putting that information online
would be stealing from those authors. Once again, check out my Books
and Videos section. A good place to start is Tom
Peregrin's Introductory Practical Pyrotechnics, published by Skylighter.
Can you email me instructions on how to make fireworks?
If you're truly interested in
learning about fireworks manufacture, there are some great books you
can buy, such as Introductory Practical Pyrotechnics.
Check out the Literature
section for more (note: I don't sell or publish the books). The
rec.pyrotechnics newsgroup is also a great resource for
fireworks-building information.
Is it legal for me to
make fireworks?
As far as the BATFE is concerned, it
is legal to manufacture pyrotechnic devices as long as such devices
and any remaining mixed chemical compositions are ignited that day -
ie, not put into overnight storage (unless you are using an approved
explosives storage magazine). Your state, county, and city laws
may be (and likely are) much more restrictive, and may require
manufacturing licenses and any sort of manufacturing to take place in
special compounds. If you are interested in making fireworks,
it is highly recommended that you fully investigate and understand
your local laws.
Your Display
Do I have to take the
wrappers off of the top of cakes?
No - the blast from each individual
tube's lift charge will rip through the paper/cellophane covering.
Some people choose to remove the wrappers beforehand to reduce the
mess.
Is it really necessary
to brace cakes?
Yes - even when placed on a hard,
flat surface as per the instructions, occasionally cakes will tip
over and begin firing shots horizontally, which can start fires
and/or seriously injure you or another spectator. Cakes should
always be either glued to a board or surrounded with rocks or bricks
to physically make it impossible for them to fall over.
Fuses
Where can I buy visco
fuse, sticky match, and quick match?
There are a number of online
pyrotechnic suppliers that sell visco, including Skylighter, Firefox,
Pyro Creations, Pyro Tubes, and Cannonfuse. As far as I know,
Firefox is the only one that sells sticky match. Quick match
cannot be purchased without an ATF license, but you can make it for
your own personal use.
If I put safety fuse
(visco) into paper quick match pipe, will it accelerate the burning?
Unfortunately, no. When quick
match burns, the paper pipe forces the hot gases down the tube and
way ahead of the actual flame point, where it ignites more of the
black match inside, thus creating more hot gases and continuing the
process. Visco fuse is completely sealed off from the air (it
can burn underwater), and is difficult to ignite from the outside.
While it makes just as much gas and sparks as black match, it won't
take fire easily and therefore doesn't chain-react like quick match
does. See my Effects
page to see diagrams on how quick match works.
Where can I buy real
black powder?
A lot of gun stores carry it (not
including Wal-Mart). It comes in a red metal can under the
brand name "GOEX".
Black powder, Green
Dot/Red Dot, & Pyrodex: aren't they all the same?
No. Black powder is an ancient
formula consisting of a homogenous mixture of sulfur, charcoal,
and potassium nitrate. Green Dot, Red Dot, and Pyrodex are a
few types of the "smokeless" powders that have replaced
black powder as the propellant in modern ammunition. Unlike
black powder, which produces a significant amount of solid waste
products (seen as smoke particles), smokeless powders consist of a
nitroglycerine/nitrocellulose mixture that produces almost
exclusively gaseous byproducts, making ammunition much more powerful
while greatly reducing the amount of smoke. Nowadays black
powder is used only in fireworks, and by antique rifle/cannon
enthusiasts. Smokeless powder can be used to make tape fuse,
but not black match.
Who runs Pyro Universe
and the Forums?
Pyro Universe is owned and
maintained by myself, Colin Bradley. The team of forum
moderators consist of JoeRatman, yeagerb, DennyMo,
graybeard, Soonerkid, kenbeuken, and Murph'. All
of us can be contacted via the forum's private message system.
Why don't you update
the main page more often?
Unfortunately, maintaining Pyro
Universe is not my full-time job. It's my personal hobby;
something that I do whenever I have free time - something that I'm
finding that I have less and less of, thanks to college.
How do I cite Pyro
Universe as a reference in a paper I'm writing?
Here's how to do
it in standard MLA style. Say you were using the History
page.
Will you sell me
fireworks or send me free fireworks samples?
No. Pyro Universe is
not a firework manufacturing, display, or distributing company.
I made this site just to share information about pyrotechnics with
other enthusiasts. The only things I sell are tubes and shirts.
Advertising
How can I advertise on
Pyro Universe?
Go to this page to look at the
different advertising positions and rates. To get your banner
set up (or if you have any questions) email me.
Will you put my banner
up for free?
If you have a fireworks related
business or club, then I will be glad to place a link to on my links
page. The banner spots, however, are paid positions - no
exceptions.
I registered and am
trying to post, but my posts won't show up. Why?
A new member's first five posts on the
forum are sent to the moderation queue and must be approved by an
administrator prior to appearing on the boards. This policy helps to
weed out spammers (both humans and spambots), as well as kids trying
to ask for instructions on how to blow up a teacher's mailbox.
Why am I
"banned" from the chat room? I didn't do anything
wrong!
Same reason as above - new members
are not allowed in the chat room until they have made five posts.
Again, this is simply the most effective way of weeding out spammers
and people seeking information on making bombs. You are not
truly "banned" for breaking a rule, you just cannot
get in until you have five posts.
Why didn't I
get the confirmation email?
Your spam filter most likely
identified it as spam and deleted it. Check your spam box first to
see if it's there, but if you still can't find it, email me using the
"Contact Us" form at the bottom of this page and I'll
activate it manually for you. Be sure so put "colin@pyrouniverse.com"
on your mail client's safe list to prevent future notification
messages sent by this forum from being misidentified as spam.
Why can't I log on?
Not sure. Just email me (see above)
and I'll get it straightened out.
How do I post
pictures?
There are currently two ways to post
images on the forum: hotlinking and attaching.
Hotlinking
Hotlinking images involves uploading your pictures to another
website, then posting a bit of code into your message body that will
make the image show up. Here’s how to do it:
1. Find a site that will allow you to upload images onto the
Internet, such as www.imageshack.com
or www.filefarmer.com
(two common file hosts). Be sure that the service you use allows
hotlinking. Some, such as Geocities, do not allow this, which causes
an error image to show up when you try to post a picture. Better yet,
you can also just head over to the Pyro
Universe Gallery and start posting all the pictures and
videos that you want.
2. Upload the image you wish to post. Once you have done this, view
the image in your browser (be sure that you’re viewing the full
size image, not the thumbnail). Right click on the image, and click
on “Properties”.
An information box will pop up, which
gives, among other information, the URL of the image (which usually
ends in .jpg or .gif). This is what you want. Highlight the URL, and
copy it. Do not use the URL that you see in your browser’s address
bar – it is not always the same as the image URL.
3. Paste the URL into the part of your
message where you want the image to appear. You must put [img]
and [/img] tags onto the beginning the end of the URL,
respectively, in order for the image to appear.
Please try to keep your images
under 800 pixels in width – otherwise it forces the forum table to
expand, requiring viewers to use a horizontal scroll bar in order to
see the whole image (and read any replies). If your image is over 800
pixels in width, please post a direct link to the image rather than a
hotlink. This is done by replacing the img in the beginning/end tags
of the URL with simply url.
Use direct linking also if you want to link to other file types, such
as videos, sounds, documents, and spreadsheets.
Attachments
One of the great things about the new
vBulletin forum system is that it allows you to attach files to your
messages, much like you can do with email. With it, you can post
images or other files without having to worry about hosting them
elsewhere and linking to them.
The following attachment types are allowed: jpg, gif, png, zip, doc,
and pdf. Image files must be less than or equal to 800x600 pixels in
size (to prevent side scrolling), and cannot exceed 500 KB each. Zip,
doc, and pdf files may be up to 1 MB in size.
To add an attachment to your message, scroll down below the message
box and click on the “Manage Attachments” button, which will open
a popup and allow you to attach up to 5 files per message.
The only drawback to this is that it uses up server space on Pyro
Universe, so there is only a limited amount of space available per
person. All forum members get 5 MB worth of space on which they can
store attachments (enough for approximately 40-50 large photos)!
Supporting members get 8 MB of attachment space.
The “Attachments” section of your user control panel (on the
bottom left hand size) shows you how much space you are using, and
lists all of your attachments. You can delete attachments from old
threads if you want to free up space for newer attachments.
Will you change my
forum nickname for me?
If it's a small change, such as
altering the spelling, capitalization, or adding/deleting numbers,
then yes - PM me and I'll do so. Otherwise, no.
Somebody make a
sarcastic comment/is being mean to me! Can you ban them?
No. If somebody is bothering you,
the easiest and simplest thing to do is just ignore them. If
you don't give them a reaction, they will eventually leave you alone.
To help you with this, there is an "ignore" feature that
can be accessed from your control panel. When you add a person to
your ignore list, you will not see their
messages on the
forum.
What is a "supporting
member" and how do I become one?
In s hort,
a supporting member is someone who makes a donation to Pyro
Universe.
One of my greatest pet peeves on the Internet are websites and forum
communities that require a fee to join. I don’t even like the sites
the require you to fill out and submit an annoying registration form
simply to read the online content. When I first created Pyro
Universe, I made a commitment to keeping it free and as easily
accessible as possible. I believe that everyone out there has a right
to benefit from the wealth of information within this community to
the greatest extent possible. That’s why anyone can read the
forums, and a free signup is all that’s required to post – simple
enough.
However, the steady increase in popularity of this community over the
last few years has made it necessary to purchase a larger and more
powerful server to handle the traffic, especially during the 4th of
July period, where the number of visitors to this site (and the
forums) increases tenfold. I refuse to pass this cost onto the
viewers and forum members by requiring paid memberships, but I do
allow people to donate money if they choose.
Donations can literally be any amount – even one dollar – and are
by no means required. People can still sign up, get an avatar, post,
post messages, and upload as many images to the gallery as they want,
for free. However, if you choose to donate, your forum rank will be
changed from “Member” to “Supporting Member”, and a little
flame graphic will appear under your name every time you post.
Supporting members also get a larger private message account (1000
message capacity rather than 500 for regular members), a larger
attachment quota (8MB rather than 5MB), and the ability to place a
150x100 picture in their member profile.
To donate using Paypal, click here: 
(Be sure to put your exact forum name in the "Forum
Username" box).
If you would prefer to send a check, please PM me for my address.
Again, be sure to put your forum name in the memo section.
Thanks for supporting Pyro Universe!
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