SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2019 SESSION

  • | print version

SB 1625 Statewide Fire Prevention Code; changes definition of permissible fireworks.

Introduced by: Jeremy S. McPike | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; definition of permissible fireworks. Changes the definition of permissible fireworks for purposes of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code to mean any fountains that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than eight seconds. Current law defines this category of fireworks in more general terms.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; definition of permissible fireworks. Changes the definition of permissible fireworks for purposes of the Statewide Fire Prevention Code to mean any fountains that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than eight seconds. Current law defines this category of fireworks in more general terms.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Statewide Fire Prevention Code; definition of permissible fireworks. Changes the definition of permissible fireworks to mean any fireworks device that (i) does not explode or produce a report, (ii) does not emit visual effects to a distance greater than 16.4 feet, (iii) does not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (iv) does not travel under its own power, (v) does not emit or function as a projectile, and (vi) is not capable of being reloaded. The definition also provides that such fireworks device, when designed to be ignited by a fuse, must have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds or more than eight seconds to be considered permissible fireworks.