SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2015 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 1158 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; authorizes use of consumer fireworks in Commonwealth.

Introduced by: Thomas A. Garrett | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE: (all summaries)

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; State Fire Marshal; consumer fireworks; penalties. Adds definitions for consumer fireworks and display fireworks and authorizes the use of consumer fireworks in the Commonwealth. The bill defines "consumer fireworks" as small fireworks devices (i) containing restricted amounts of pyrotechnic composition designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion and (ii) complying with certain federal regulations regarding composition and labeling. The bill also provides that the storage and transportation of consumer fireworks are to be considered the same hazard class as 1.4G explosives under the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) and Uniform Statewide Building Code. The bill excludes from the provisions of the SFPC, unless prohibited by a local ordinance, (a) the sale of permissible or consumer fireworks, (b) any person using, igniting or exploding permissible or consumer fireworks on residential or agricultural property with the consent of the owner of such property, or (c) instances when such permissible or consumer fireworks are being transported from a locality where they were legally obtained to a locality where they are legally permitted. Current law only excludes sale of permissive fireworks or the use of such fireworks on private property. The provisions of the bill have a delayed effective date of January 1, 2016.


FULL TEXT

AMENDMENTS

HISTORY