Safety alert: Our advice on indoor sparklers
Businesses in industries such as hospitality thrive on moments worth sharing, but indoor sparklers are a significant and severe fire risk to all workplaces. This is due to the fact that they can burn in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius and throw off superheated particles which can easily cause other fires.
That risk was starkly underlined by the New Year’s fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans Montana (Swiss Alps), where 40 people died and over 100 were injured.
Investigators believe sparkler “flares” on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling, triggering rapid flashover and a deadly crowd surge, this and the lack of exits has proven deadly.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time an incident like this has happened:
- Woolworths, Manchester (1979) — 10 fatalities; when ignited, the polyurethane foam furnishings produced dense, toxic smoke that trapped people near exits.
- Stardust Nightclub, Dublin (1981) — 48 fatalities; the 2024 inquest found unlawful killing and highlighted how combustible finishes and loss of lighting accelerated fire and impeded escape.
- The Station Nightclub, Rhode Island (2003) — On the surface, this is the most similar incident, which led to 100 fatalities. During a music performance, indoor pyrotechnics ignited foam soundproofing; smoke reached exits in just over a minute and the venue was fully involved in under five. A lack of available exits further compounded matters.
These incidents show that the pattern is consistent, that the risk is evident, and can impact many industries.
Our advice:
We strongly advise against using sparklers indoors in any business setting.
Businesses will ultimately make their own judgments, but UK fire law requires you to eliminate or reduce risks so far as reasonably practicable.
UK Fire Law in brief: What you need to do
- England & Wales — Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and general fire precautions focused on prevention and safe evacuation. This must be completed by a competent person.
- Scotland — Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006: Duty Holders must assess and control fire risks; Scottish guidance for entertainment premises flags the hazards of pyrotechnics in combustible interiors.
- Northern Ireland — Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006 and Fire Safety Regulations (NI) 2010: risk-based duties to prevent, maintain precautions and ensure training and safe egress.
Implication: If your assessment honestly reflects occupancy, alcohol, fitout materials, and evacuation dynamics, indoor sparklers will almost certainly register as an unacceptable risk under this legislation.
How to safely keep the ‘wow’ factor
- Try LED fibre optic “sparklers” which can be mounted to bottle tops and will add an extra sparkle without the ignition source.
- Additional shimmer sources: Consider edible glitters, colour changing glassware, submersible LED ice cubes, and fibre optic centrepieces.
- Indoor rated confetti or streamers: Compressed air launchers using flame-retardant material with an immediate cleanup plan.
What you need to do next:
- Record the decision: Clearly state your position on using indoor sparklers or pyrotechnic effects in your fire risk assessment and venue policies. Have your fire risk assessment conducted or reviewed by a competent person.
- Write it into operations: Include “no bring-your-own sparklers” in event terms and conditions and brief front of house and security teams on how to refuse requests courteously.
- Preapprove only non-flame effects: Test effects in a quiet period with music at show level; design routes and cue timings so aisles and exits remain clear.
- Review interior finishes: Check ceilings and walls near bars and booths for combustible materials (for example, acoustic foam, faux greenery, and drapes) and relocate or shield where necessary.
- Strengthen marshals and training: Make sure you have enough fire marshals during peak times; refresh staff drills, alarm audibility checks, extinguisher placement, and basic burns first aid.
- Give staff authority to say ‘no’: Allow your team to stop any floor show if conditions change (for example, overcrowding, obstructed routes, or unexpected decorations).
- Monitor and learn: Promote near miss reporting, review incidents, and update procedures so lessons translate into practical changes.
