Permits - Fireworks

Provide a site plan that is dimensioned to illustrate the distance and sizes of the following areas as appropriate.

The way the plans have been submitted the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office has changed and the plans will now be submitted online through the https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/ under “apply for a building permit”.

A Fireworks stand will be applied for through the https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/ and is considered a Special Event:

To sell Fireworks see below:

To obtain fireworks permit for a Fireworks Stand, space, or building. 

A Fireworks stand will be applied for through the https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/ and is considered a Special Event:

Please go to the following link for guidelines on obtaining a fireworks permit from the state. 

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/default.asp  

Please see: 

TITLE 25. FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY, then 

CHAPTER 10. REGULATION OF FIREWORKS

Please note you are also required to obtain a fireworks/building permit from Cherokee County. 

This is done through the following portal:

https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/

A Fireworks Display Requirements

The submittal process for an Outdoor Fireworks Display in Cherokee County is through the Cherokee County Probate Court with the following items to be reviewed. A site inspection is required by the Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office prior to the event or festival fireworks display.

The way the plans have been submitted the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office has changed and the plans will now be submitted online through the https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/ under “apply for a building permit”.

• Site Plan Requirements
  (See details under "Fireworks Display Site Plan below.")
• Required Documentation
  (See details under "Required Documentation" below) The site plan and documentation shall be submitted together and reviewed by the Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office. Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office will sign the Acknowledgement and Waiver Document GPCSF 31 upon the site plan and documentation review approval. Once the GPCSF 31 is signed by the Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office, a permit shall be issued by the Cherokee County Probate Court. If disapproved, additional information or clarification may be required to obtain approval. If information is found to be unacceptable a permit will not be authorized by the Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office.
• Obtain Permit from the Cherokee County Probate Court
  7.1.1 The operator shall be at least 21 years old. Prior to performing the fireworks display, the operator or the operator's employer shall obtain a permit issued by the judge of the probate court of the county in which the public exhibition or display is to be held in accordance with all applicable state laws. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules, and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22 Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

                  Cherokee County Probate Court
                  90 North Street, Suite 340
                  Cherokee County Justice Center
                  Canton, GA 30114 
                  678-493-6160
                  

Fireworks Display Site Plan Requirements

Provide a site plan that is dimensioned to illustrate the distance and sizes of the following areas as appropriate. The way the plans have been submitted the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office has changed and the plans will now be submitted online through the https://cityview.cherokeega.com/cvprodportal/ under “apply for a building permit”. A fee of $100 is due for the plan review and site inspection by the Cherokee County Fire Marshal's Office. The site inspection is to confirm the size is as indicated on the approved site plan. Accepted forms of payment include checks or credit cards.

All building and fire prevention permit inspections are scheduled through the CityView portal.

On the Plans

• Discharge Site
• Spectator Viewing Area
• Parking Areas
• Fallout Area and the associated spectator distances
• Display Site
• Spotter Locations(s)

Information

• Name, address, email address, and phone number of the individual, group, or organization sponsoring the fireworks display
• Name, address, email address, and phone number of the supplier of the fireworks, if different from that of the operator
• Evidence of financial responsibility by the sponsor of the event or festival and by the operator of the fireworks display. This could take the form of an insurance certificate or other document attesting to coverage or responsibility
• Date and time of day at which the outdoor fireworks display is to be held, with proposed rain/wind date and time in the event the display is postponed
• Exact location planned for the outdoor fireworks display
• Confirmation of license of the operator and the number of assistants who are to be present. (License from the Department of the Treasury – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (18 U.S.C. Chapter 40, Explosives))
• Provide the number, size, and kinds of fireworks to be discharged
• The manner and place of storage of such fireworks prior to delivery to the outdoor fireworks display site. (Will the fireworks be delivered to an off-site location? What type of storage container?)
• A diagram of the grounds on which the outdoor fireworks display is to be held showing the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged; the location of all buildings, highways, and other lines of communication; the lines behind which the audience is to be retrained; and the location of other possible overhead obstructions

Ready Box
Is to be located at a distance not less than 25' upwind from the mortar placement (tarpaulins are prohibited for use as a Ready Box). Due to the wind direction factor, this can not be demonstrated on-site plan. Provide this note on the site plan: "Ready Box to be located at a distance not less than 25' upwind from the mortar placement."

See appendix "B" of NFPA 1123 (2014 Edition) for guidelines on the type of information that should be included in a site plan submittal

Fireworks Display Required Documentation

The following documentation must be provided when applying for an Outdoor Fireworks Display Permit:

State License / Certifications

7.1.3 An operator shall provide evidence to the authority having jurisdiction that he/she possesses at least one of the following: “(a) Certificate(s) of training totaling 20 hours related to fireworks from a national organization(s) that promote safety in fireworks displays, or “(b) Licensure for fireworks displays by another state which administers a competency test accepted by the Commissioner, or “(c) Other training, testing and/or experience acceptable to the Commissioner. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Previous Displays (5)

7.1.2 An operator shall provide evidence of actual experience as an operator or assistant to the authority having jurisdiction. This evidence shall include the following: “(a) At least five different affidavits signed by the local fire official or officials responsible for the area or areas that the operator has actively participated in all phases of a fireworks displays in which there were no personal injuries or property damage. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Safety History) A statement providing full details of any such displays in which said the operator has participated which resulted in personal injuries or property damage, or an affidavit by the operator certifying that said operator has never participated in any such displays or exhibitions which resulted in personal injuries or property damage. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Affidavits

7.1.4 The individual pyrotechnic operator who will actually conduct the display or exhibition must provide to the authority having jurisdiction proof of employment by said person, firm, corporation, association or partnership desiring to conduct a public exhibition or display of fireworks. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

7.2 All assistants shall be at least 18 years old. Each operator shall complete a form on each assistant for each permit being applied for that provides the assistant’s age, date of birth, and states the operator’s satisfaction as to the qualifications of that assistant. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2000 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

7.4 Prior to performing the fireworks display, the person, firm, corporation, association or partnership desiring to conduct a public exhibition or display of fireworks shall provide to the authority having jurisdiction the name and qualifications of every operator and assistant who will participate in the display or exhibition. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

7.4.1 Prior to performing the fireworks display, the person, firm, corporation, association or partnership desiring to conduct a public exhibition or display of fireworks shall provide to the authority having jurisdiction a statement signed by the individual pyrotechnic operator who will actually conduct the display or exhibition certifying the operator’s satisfaction with the qualifications of each such assistant. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Bonds

7.3.2 Proof of a bond in the principal sum of $10,000.00, payable to the county in which the display is being held and conditioned for the payment of damages which may be caused either to persons or to property by reason of the display must be provided or, alternatively, evidence be provided that the applicant carries proper liability insurance for bodily injury in the amount of not less than $25,000.00 for each person and $50,000.00 for each accident and for property damage in the amount of not less than $25,000.00 for each accident and $50,000.00 aggregate, purchased from an insurer authorized to do business in Georgia, or an insurer regulated pursuant to O.C.G.A. Title 33, Chapter 5, if insurance cannot be obtained from an insurer authorized to do business in Georgia. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2000 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Additional Requirements (State of Georgia Statutes)

5.1.3.4 The operator shall be present and shall personally supervise all phases of the display. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

5.1.9 The pyrotechnics operator shall be present and shall personally supervise all phases of the display or exhibition. (NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition | Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays)

Final Step a "Site Inspection"

 Display applications are to be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the date for this outdoor fireworks display. The Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office shall inspect the site of the proposed display for the purpose of determining compliance with these regulations. The operator shall contact the Cherokee County Fire Marshal’s Office within 24 hours of the display time and request the site inspection. Inspection Line: 678-493-6290

References and Suggested Reading

1. NFPA 1123 Code for Fireworks Display, 2014 Edition
2. NFPA 1124 Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage and Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 Edition
3. Rules and regulations of the Safety and Fire Commissioner Chapter 120-3-22 Rules and Regulations for Fireworks Manufacturing and Fireworks or Pyrotechnics Exhibitions and Displays
4. 27 CFR 18 and 181, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, Commerce in Explosives5. 49 CFR 171-177, U.S. Department of Transportation