Definition
The firing site is the exact location where mortars, racks, cakes and candles are set up and from which the fireworks are launched. It is chosen during the site survey against several criteria: stable, non-flammable ground, no power lines or dry vegetation, vehicle access, and enough separation from the audience and buildings to honour the safety distance of the largest calibre planned. In France it must appear on the layout drawing attached to CERFA 14098, with its coordinates and its orientation relative to the audience. During set-up only pyrotechnicians may enter it; the order of 31 May 2010 requires the fireworks to be kept under constant watch from the moment they are unpacked. A floating firing site (barge, pontoon) follows the same rules with the consent of the body managing the water.
In practice, for the display company
A good firing site is documented once and reused every year: photos, GPS coordinates, access, caretaker's contact. PyroDesk attaches these to the venue, brings them back on every new job at the same site and passes them to the subcontractor, who arrives with the plan rather than with questions.