WYFRS Introduces New e-Form for Explosives Licence Application & Payments

In our ongoing commitment to enhancing customer experience, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is excited to announce the launch of a new application form designed to streamline the payment process for Explosives licences. This upgrade now allows payments to be made conveniently via debit and credit card.

The new e-Form is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring that the process of applying for and renewing Explosives licences is as seamless as possible.

Explosives Licence

What is an explosives licence?

An explosives licence is a document that allows the holder to store and/or manufacture explosives at suitable designated premises. The holder of an explosives licence is responsible for ensuring the licensing conditions are being met. Examples of conditions of the licence can include the maximum quantity allowed to be stored and/or the category/type of explosives that can be stored.

Applying for an explosives licence

If you are applying for an explosives licence for the first time, or for new premises, part of the application process will include a Fire Safety Audit under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 by one of our inspecting officers. This is to ensure the premises are broadly compliant with that legislation before considering their suitability for the storage of explosives.

New applications and renewal applications will be subject to a police criminal record check. This will assist us in determining if the applicant is deemed a fit person to store explosives under The Explosives Regulations 2014.

Please note that once received, we aim to process applications as quickly as possible. However, please do not contact us to chase your application until 28 days have passed since the initial application date.

Due to the increase in seasonal demand, any applications received after 16 September will not be processed until after 5 November.

If our inspectors assess your application/attend your premises and deem it unsuitable to store fireworks, a refund will not be provided.

Also note, that to apply for a licence, you must own or have a current tenancy agreement in place for the premises you intend to store explosives. Evidence of this will be required as part of the application assessment.

If you intend to store more than 2,000kg of Net Explosive Content (NEC) of fireworks, you must apply for a licence from the Health and Safety Executive.

For queries, email fire.safety@westyorksfire.gov.uk

Fees

For the appropriate storage fees, please click here. The fee for application, processing, and site visit to determine if the licence can be issued, is non-refundable.

From 10 February 2025, we will only be accepting online card payments – see details in the Apply Now section below.

Apply now

The button below will take you to our online application and payment form (this has replaced the previous paper application form).

If you are applying for a new licence, you will need to contact our team first to be given a Premises Identification number (PID) – you will not be able to proceed with the form without a valid PID. 
 

Please contact fire.safety@westyorksfire.gov.uk with the address details of the premises where you will be applying for a licence.

You will need to have the following to complete the application form:

  • Premises ID (PID) as detailed above, or from your renewal reminder letter.
  • Floor Plan to be uploaded (if explosives are to be kept on the shop floor or in a building that is to be used for other purposes as well as the storage of explosives).
  • National Insurance Number.
  • Documentary evidence of company permission if applying on behalf of a company or limited liability partnership.
  • Details of any relevant convictions (further guidance is provided in the form).
    Credit/Debit card details for payment.

When you are ready to proceed, click here - this will take you to the online application and payment form.
 

Applying for an all year supply licence

Fireworks can normally only be sold at specified dates and times based on the issue of the storage licence. If, as a retailer, you wish to sell fireworks outside these dates, you must apply for a ‘licence to supply or expose for supply’ adult fireworks.

This is a separate licence issued under The Fireworks Regulations 2004 and can be obtained from WYFRA. The annual fee is £500. To obtain an application form, email fire.safety@westyorksfire.gov.uk

Please Note: WYFRA will only issue a licence to supply when the Authority is confident that the person/company is a responsible retailer of fireworks. This is normally after holding a storage licence for a minimum period of 12 months. You cannot obtain a licence to supply unless you hold a current storage licence.

For more information or assistance with the new e-Form, please contact fire.safety@westyorksfire.gov.uk

Fireworks and Petroleum

Fireworks
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Planning a Fireworks Display

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service recommends that members of the public enjoy fireworks by attending a display that has been arranged by a competent organiser utilising a competent display operator who will follow the guidance set out in The Blue Firework Guide.

Where members of the public intend to hold their firework display then valuable guidance is available within The Red Fireworks Guide. This document includes guidance on where the fireworks are being fired by people without specialist knowledge or training. This new edition has been updated to include the significant changes in the law relating to the supply, possession, transport, keeping, and use of fireworks which may affect such displays.

Animals and Fireworks

Concern for animals where fireworks are being used is a key issue for the RSPCA during the bonfire season and wherever possible WYFRA supports the concerns and activities of the RSPCA.

Fireworks are used by people throughout the year to mark different events. While they can bring much enjoyment to some people, they can cause significant problems and fear for other people and animals. They can be a source of fear and distress for many animals (including pet animals, farm livestock, and wildlife).

Animals affected not only suffer psychological distress but can also cause themselves injuries – sometimes very serious ones – as they attempt to run away or hide from the noise.

So we would ask that if you are planning a bonfire or fireworks event or just letting fireworks off in your garden, please consider the wildlife and animals that may be affected.

Petroleum
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Petroleum Certification

Petrol filling station owners/keepers have certain responsibilities under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014.  One of the responsibilities is to obtain a Petroleum Storage Certificate for the dispensing premises.  To find out more, please visit the Health and Safety Executive Website.

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority are the Petroleum Enforcement Authority in West Yorkshire for all petrol filling station sites, which include retail and non-retail sites that dispense petroleum-spirit.  Which means that our role is the certifying Authority for the storage of petroleum in West Yorkshire.  To protect the public and the environment, petroleum is certified to ensure that it is kept and dispensed safely.

If you are storing or proposing to store petroleum and dispensing activities are taking place on your commercial or retail premises, you must apply for a storage certificate, apply here.

If you intend to store petroleum, you as a certified keeper, will be required to complete a risk assessment under the Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002.  Further information on completing a DSEAR risk assessment can be found here.

Petroleum Certificate Fees

The fees payable in respect of applications for the granting of storage certificates under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 can be found within Schedule 7 (Part 5) of The Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2024. Please follow this link.

If you require further information email: fire.safety@westyorksfire.gov.uk or call 0113 3875738.

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