# Fireworks: how loud is a "salute?"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-how-loud-is-a-salute/724661>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 9, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-how-loud-is-a-salute/724661 "2015-07-09T15:05:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-how-loud-is-a-salute/724661/1 "2015-07-09T15:05:54Z")

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A [“salute”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salute_(pyrotechnics)#.28Class_B.29_Salutes_Mortar_.2F_Shells) is the device you see at professional fireworks displays that gives a single spot of bright yellow-white light and a very loud blast sound that shakes your body.

How loud are these for the audience? Assume they have been launched to an “appropriate” height (as determined by the licensed professional conducting the fireworks show), and I am standing at the minimum safe distance for a member of the public viewing audience.