Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 837 - DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL › Division 12 - PUBLIC DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS IN OREGON › Section 837-012-0850 - Construction of Fireworks Aerial Shells

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) Shells may be classified and described
			 only in terms of the inside diameter of the mortar in which they can be safely
			 used, such as three inch shells are only for use in three inch
			 mortars);
(2) Aerial shells must be
			 constructed so that they fit easily into the appropriate size mortar and so
			 that the lift charge and internal delay fuse are appropriate to propel the
			 shell to a safe altitude before functioning.
(3) Shells must be labeled with the type of
			 shell, the shell size and the name of the manufacturer or distributor.
(4) The label or wrapper of any
			 type of aerial shell must be conspicuously marked with a number to indicate the
			 shell size (the diameter of the mortar to be used).
(5) The label or wrapper of any type of
			 aerial salute must be conspicuously marked with the word "salute";
(6) For aerial shells using quick match fuse
			 to ignite the lift charge, that fuse must be long enough to allow not less than
			 six inches of fuse to protrude from the mortar after the shell has been
			 properly inserted.
EXCEPTION
: This requirement does not apply when
				shells are to be fired electrically.
(7) In order to allow the individual igniting
			 the aerial shells to safely retreat, the time delay between igniting the tip of
			 the shell's fuse and the firing of the shell may not be less than three seconds
			 or more than six seconds.
EXCEPTION
: For electrically ignited displays,
				there is no requirement for a delay period.
(8) A safety cap must be installed over the
			 exposed end of the fuse. The safety cap must be of a different color than that
			 of the fuse. The safety cap must be installed in such a manner so the fuse is
			 not damaged;
EXCEPTION
: For electrically fired displays, there
				is no requirement for safety caps except there must be no exposed pyrotechnic
				composition.
(9) Single
			 break salute shells may not exceed three inches in diameter or three inches in
			 length (exclusive of the lift charge). The maximum quantity of salute powder in
			 such salutes may not exceed 3 ounces;
(10) Storage of fireworks and aerial shells
			 not in mortars:
(a) All fireworks must be
			 stored and transported according to the requirements prior to reaching the
			 display site. (See also CFR Title 27, Part 18, Subparts J and JJ.);
(b) As soon as the fireworks have been
			 delivered to the display site, they may not be left unattended or allowed to
			 become wet;
(c) All fireworks must
			 be inspected when practical after delivery to the site but always prior to the
			 start of loading shells by the operator or a qualified assistant. Any shells
			 having tears, leaks, broken fuses, or showing signs of having been wet must be
			 set aside and must not be fired. After the display, any such shells must either
			 be returned to the wholesaler or destroyed according to the wholesaler's
			 instructions;
EXCEPTION
: Minor repairs to fuses may be allowed.
				Also, for electrically ignited displays, attachment of electric matches and
				other similar tasks may be permitted.
(d) Upon delivery to the display site, all
			 shells must be separated according to size and as to whether they are salutes.
			 Until they are loaded into mortars, shells must be stored in covered containers
			 such as ready boxes or corrugated cartons meeting U.S. Department of
			 Transportation requirements for the transportation of fireworks;
(e) During performance of an outdoor display,
			 Ready Boxes must be located at a distance of not less than 30 feet upwind from
			 the mortar placements. If the wind should shift during a display, the ready
			 boxes must be re-located to be 30 feet upwind from the discharge site.
EXCEPTIONS
:
(A) When acceptable to the local fire
			 authority, alternate measures may be taken.
(B) When there are no shells needing storage
			 during a display, such as for an electrically ignited display, or where all
			 shells are preloaded into their mortars prior to the start of the display,
			 there is no need for ready boxes.