Borough of Ambridge, PA Chapter 136 Fireworks

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Ambridge 5-8-1998. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 136-1 Scope.

The manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within the jurisdiction. The display, sales or discharge of fireworks shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.

§ 136-2 Permit required.

A permit shall be obtained from the Code Official for the display, sale or discharge of fireworks.

§ 136-3 Permit applications.

Application for a permit shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display or discharge of fireworks. The sales, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display shall be lawful under the terms and conditions approved with the permit and for that purpose only. A permit granted hereunder shall not be transferable, nor shall any such permit be extended beyond the dates set out therein.

§ 136-4 Sale and discharge.

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode any fireworks, except as provided in the rules and regulations issued by the Code Official for the granting of permits for supervised public displays of fireworks by the jurisdiction, fair associations, amusement parks and other organizations. Every such display shall be handled by an approved, competent operator. The fireworks shall be arranged, located, discharged or fired in a manner that, in the opinion of the Code Official, will not be a hazard to property or endanger any person.

§ 136-5 Bond for display.

The permittee shall furnish a bond in an amount deemed adequate by the Code Official for the payment of all damages which may be caused either to a person or persons or to property by reason of the permitted display and arising from any acts of the permittee, the permittee's agents, employees or subcontractors.

§ 136-6 Disposal of unfired fireworks.

Unfired fireworks and trash that remain after the display is concluded shall be immediately disposed of in an approved safe manner.

§ 136-7 Display site.

A. The site for the outdoor display shall have at least 60 feet of radius per inch of internal mortar diameter of the largest aerial shell to be fired, except as noted in the table below.

B. No spectators, dwellings or spectator parking areas shall be located within the display site.

C. Distances from health care and detention and correctional facilities shall be at least twice the distances specified in the table below.

	Minimum Radius of Display for Outdoor Display of Fireworks
	Shell Size (inches)	Distance (feet)
	Smaller than 3	120
	3	180
	4	240
	5	300
	6	360
	7	420
	8	480
	9	540
	10	600
	12	720
	Greater than 12	Approval of authority having jurisdiction

§ 136-8 Discharge site.

A. The area selected for the discharge of aerial shells shall be located so that the trajectory of the shells shall not come within 25 feet of any overhead object.

B. Ground display shall be located at a minimum distance of 75 feet from spectator viewing areas and parking areas. Exception: For ground pieces with greater hazard potential (such as large wheels with powerful drivers, roman candle batteries and items employing large salutes) the minimum separation distance shall be increased to 120 feet.

C. When the mortars are positioned vertically, the mortars shall be placed at the approximate center of the display site.

D. When aerial shells are to be stored at the discharge site for subsequent loading into mortars during the display, mortars shall be placed at least 1/16, but not more than 1/3 the distance from the center of the display site toward the main spectator area. The mortars shall be angled such that any dud shells will fall at a point approximately equal to the offset of the mortars from the center of the display site but in the opposite direction.

E. Fireworks shall not be discharged within 100 feet of any tent or canvas shelter.

F. Spectators, vehicles or readily combustible material shall not be located within the fall out area during the display.

G. The sponsor of the display shall provide adequate fire protection for the display.

H. The sponsor shall consult with the authority having jurisdiction to determine the level of fire protection required.

I. Monitors whose sole duty shall be the enforcement of crowd control shall be located around the display area by the sponsor. The authority having jurisdiction shall approve the provisions for crowd control.

J. Monitors shall be located around the discharge site to prevent spectators or any other unauthorized persons from entering the discharge site. The discharge site shall be so restricted throughout the display and until the discharge site has been inspected after the display. Where practical, fences and rope barriers shall be used to aid in crowd control.

K. During the period before the display, when pyrotechnic materials are present, unescorted public access to the site shall not be allowed.

L. The operator has the primary responsibility for safety. While the operator is allowed to actively participate in the firing of the fireworks display, safety shall be his primary concern.