The Bullet Hit That Does Not Need a Licence
A bullet hit on a wall used to mean a pyrotechnic charge, a licensed pyrotechnician, dangerous goods shipping and a permit conversation with the location. Zircon Zircs do the same visual with compressed air. The device fires a surface-matched load of dust and debris that bursts off the wall exactly where a round would land. No charge, no licence, no DG paperwork. SPFX Supply stocks the full range in Toronto.
How They Work
Each Zirc is a small device loaded with a formulated debris mix. It is placed on the surface and triggered by a simple compressed air system. On trigger it throws the debris outward in a burst that reads on camera as an impact. Because there is no combustion there is no flash, no smoke and no heat, which means no scorching, no fire watch and a reset that takes minutes.
Pick the Formulation by the Surface
The reason Zircs look right is that the debris matches the wall. Nine formulations are stocked. Pick by what the camera will see, and call us if you are not sure which one matches your surface.
| Formulation | Debris | Price per pack |
|---|---|---|
| Zircon 10 | General purpose, size 10 | $250 |
| Zircon 5 | General purpose, size 5 | $250 |
| Red Brick Hits | Red brick | $250 |
| Concrete Hits | Concrete | $250 |
| Carbon Hits | Carbon | $250 |
| Dust Hits | Dust | $160 |
| Heavy Dust Hits | Heavy dust | $250 |
| Mixed Dust/Concrete Hits | Mixed dust and concrete | $250 |
| Plasticine Hits | Plasticine | $250 |
Zircon Zircs, all formulations
Where They Beat Pyro
Interiors with sprinklers. Heritage locations. Night shoots where a permit will not come through in time. Series work where you need forty hits a day and cannot afford a fire watch for each one. Low budget shorts with no pyro line at all. Anything shipping to a location by courier, since Zircs travel as normal freight.
Where You Still Want Pyro
Zircs do not produce a flash or a bang. If the shot is a close-up on a muzzle, or the sound of the impact is the effect, you still want a licensed pyro hit. Most productions use both: pyro for the two hero hits, Zircs for the other thirty.
Planning a Shoot With Zircs
Count hits per take, multiply by expected takes, add twenty percent. Set up the devices during the lighting setup, run the air line to a safe trigger position, and rehearse the trigger timing with the performer. Keep eyes protected within a couple of metres of the burst; the debris is inert but it is still debris.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zircon Zircs?
Zircon Zircs are non-pyrotechnic impact effect devices. They use a compressed air system to produce a realistic burst of dust and debris on a wall or surface, the way a bullet hit reads on camera, with no explosive charge.
Do I need a pyrotechnician licence to use Zircs?
No. Zircs contain no pyrotechnic material, carry no dangerous goods classification and can be used on any set with basic safety planning. That is the whole point of them.
What surfaces do Zircs work on?
Any hard surface: walls, concrete, brick and similar. The formulations are matched to the surface so the debris looks right. Zircon 10 and Zircon 5 are the general purpose options; Red Brick, Concrete, Carbon, Dust, Heavy Dust, Mixed Dust/Concrete and Plasticine Hits match specific surfaces.
How much do Zircon Zircs cost?
$250 per pack for Zircon 10, Zircon 5, Red Brick Hits, Concrete Hits, Carbon Hits, Heavy Dust Hits, Mixed Dust/Concrete Hits and Plasticine Hits. Dust Hits are $160 per pack.
Can Zircs ship by courier?
Yes. Because they carry no dangerous goods classification they ship as normal freight across Canada and to the United States, which is not true of pyrotechnic bullet hits.
Can I pick up in Toronto or have it shipped?
SPFX Supply is at 333 Bering Ave, Unit 100, Toronto, ON M8Z 3A8. The showroom is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5pm for pickup. We ship across Canada and to the United States. Call 416-487-3211 or email sales@spfxsupply.com to confirm stock before a shoot date.