Kentucky

KENTUCKY

227.700 "Fireworks" defined -- Exceptions.

AsusedinKRS227.700to227.750,"fireworks"meansanycompositionordeviceforthepurposeofproducingavisibleoranaudibleeffectbycombustion,deflagration,ordetonation,andwhichmeetsthedefinitionof"consumerfireworks"asdefinedinKRS227.702or"display"fireworksasdefinedinKRS227.706andassetforthintheUnitedStatesDepartmentofTransportation's(DOT)hazardousmaterialsregulations."Fireworks"doesnotinclude:

  1. Exceptionnumber1:Toypistols,toycanes,toygunsorotherdevicesinwhichpaperorplasticcaps manufacturedinaccordancewithDOTregulations,andpackedandshippedaccordingtosaidregulations,arenot considered tobe fireworks and shallbeallowedtobeusedand soldatalltimes.
  2. Exception number 2: Model rockets and model rocket motors designed, sold, and used for the purpose of propelling recoverable aero models are not considered to be fireworks.
  3. Exceptionnumber3:Propellingorexpellingchargesconsistingofamixtureofsulfur,charcoal,and saltpeter are not considered as being designed for producing audible effects.

 

 227.702 Consumer fireworks defined.

As used in KRS 227.700 to 227.750, "consumer fireworks" means fireworks that are suitable for use bythepublic,designedprimarilytoproducevisibleeffectsbycombustion,andthatcomplywiththeconstruction,chemicalcomposition,andlabelingregulationsoftheUnitedStatesConsumerProductSafetyCommission.Thetypes,sizes,andamountofpyrotechniccontentsofthesedevicesarelimitedasenumeratedinthissection.Somesmalldevicesdesigned toproduce audibleeffects are included,such aswhistling devices, grounddevices containing fifty(50) mg.orlessofexplosivecomposition,andaerialdevicescontainingonehundredthirty(130)mg.orlessofexplosivecomposition.ConsumerfireworksarefurtherdefinedbytheConsumerProductSafetyCommissioninCPSC,16

C.F.R.pts.1500and1507,areclassifiedasDivision1.4GexplosivesbytheUnitedStatesDepartmentof Transportation, and include the following:

    1. Ground and hand-held sparkling devices.
      1. Dippedstick-sparklerorwiresparkler.Thesedevicesconsistofametalwireorwooddowelthathasbeencoatedwithpyrotechniccomposition.Uponignitionofthetipofthedevice,ashowerofsparksisproduced.Sparklersmaycontainuptoonehundred(100)gramsofpyrotechniccompositionperitem.Thosedevicescontaininganyperchlorateorchloratesaltsmaynotexceedfive(5)gramsofpyrotechniccompositionperitem.Wiresparklerswhichcontainnomagnesiumandwhichcontainlessthanonehundred(100)gramsofcompositionperitemarenotincludedinthiscategory,inaccordancewithDOTregulations;
      2. Cylindricalfountain.Cylindricaltubecontainingnotmorethanseventy-five(75)gramsofpyrotechniccomposition.Uponignition,ashowerofcoloredsparks,andsometimesawhistlingeffectorsmoke,isproduced.Thisdevicemaybeprovidedwithaspikeforinsertionintotheground(spikefountain),awoodorplasticbaseforplacing onthe ground (base fountain), ora woodorcardboard handle,if intendedtobe hand-held(handle fountain).Whenmorethanone(1)tubeismountedonacommonbase,totalpyrotechniccompositionmaynotexceedtwohundred(200)grams,orfivehundred(500)gramsifthetubesareseparatedfromeachotheronthebasebyadistanceofatleastone-half(1/2)inch;
      3. Conefountain.Cardboardorheavypaperconecontaininguptofifty(50)gramsofpyrotechnic composition.Theeffectisthesameasthatofacylindricalfountain.Whenmorethanone(1)coneismountedona commonbase,thetotalpyrotechniccompositionmaynotexceedtwohundred(200)grams,orfivehundred(500) grams if the tubes are separatedfromeach otheron thebase byadistanceof atleastone-half(1/2) inch;
      4. Illuminatingtorch.Cylindricaltubecontaininguptoonehundred(100)gramsofpyrotechnic composition.Upon ignition,coloredfireisproduced.Maybe spike,baseorhand-held.When more thanone(1)tube is mountedona common base, totalpyrotechnic compositionmaynotexceed twohundred

(200) grams,orfive hundred (500) grams ifthe tubes are separatedfrom eachother onthe base by a distance ofat least one-half (1/2) inch;

  1. Wheel.Adeviceattachedtoapostortreebymeansofanailorstring.Awheelmayhaveone(1)or more drivers, each of which may contain not more than sixty (60) grams of pyrotechnic composition. No wheel may containmorethantwohundred(200)gramstotalpyrotechniccomposition.Uponignition,thewheelrevolves, producinga showerofcolorandsparks and,sometimes, a whistling effect;
  2. Groundspinner.Smalldevicecontainingnotmorethantwenty(20)gramsofpyrotechniccomposition, similar in operation to a wheel but intended to be placed on the ground and ignited. A shower of sparks and color is

produced by the rapidly spinning device;

 

(g) Flitter sparkler. Narrow paper tube attached to a stick or wire and filled with not more than one hundred

(100)gramsofpyrotechniccompositionthatproducescolorandsparksuponignition.Thepaperatone(1)endof the tube is ignited to make the device function; and

(h)Toysmokedevice.Smallplasticorpaperitemcontainingnotmorethanonehundred(100)gramsof pyrotechnic composition that, upon ignition, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect;

(2) Aerial devices.

  1. Skyrocketsandbottlerockets.Cylindricaltubecontainingnotmorethantwenty(20)gramsof pyrotechniccomposition.Skyrocketscontainawoodenstickforguidanceandstabilityandriseintotheairupon ignition.Aburstofcolorornoiseorboth isproduced atthe heightofflight;
  2. Missile-type rocket. A device similar to a sky rocket in size, composition, and effect that uses fins rather than a stick for guidance and stability;
  3. Helicopter,aerialspinner.Atubecontaininguptotwenty(20)gramsofpyrotechniccomposition.A propeller or blade is attached, which, upon ignition, lifts the rapidly spinning device into the air. A visible or audible effect is produced at theheight of flight;
  4. Romancandles.Heavypaperorcardboardtubecontaininguptotwenty(20)gramsofpyrotechnic composition.Uponignition,uptoten(10)"stars"(pelletsofpressedpyrotechniccompositionthatburnwithbright color) are individually expelled at severalsecond intervals;
  5. Mine, shell.Heavycardboardorpaper tube usuallyattached to a woodorplastic baseand containing uptosixty(60)gramsoftotalchemicalcomposition(liftcharge,burstcharge,andvisibleoraudibleeffectcomposition).Uponignition,"stars,"componentsproducingreportscontaininguptoonehundredthirty(130)milligrams of explosive composition per report, or other devices are propelled into the air. The term"mine" refers toadevicewithnointernalcomponentscontainingaburstingcharge,andtheterm"shell"referstoadevicethatpropelsacomponentthatsubsequentlyburstsopenintheair.Amineorshelldevicemaycontainmore

thanone(1)tubeprovidedthetubesfireinsequenceuponignitionofone(1)externalfuse.Theterm"cake"referstoadense-packedcollectionofmineorshelltubes.Totalchemicalcompositionincludingliftchargesofanymultipletubedevicesmaynotexceedtwohundred(200)grams.Themaximumquantityofliftchargeinanyone(1)tubeofamineorshelldeviceshallnotexceedtwenty(20)grams,andthemaximumquantityofbreakorburstingchargeinanycomponentshallnotexceedtwenty-fivepercent(25%)ofthetotalweightofchemicalcompositioninthecomponent.Thetuberemainsontheground;and

  1. Aerialshellkit,reloadabletube.Apackagekitcontainingacardboard,high-densitypolyethylene(HDPE),orequivalentlaunchingtubewithmultiple-shotaerialshells.Eachaerialshellislimitedtoamaximumofsixty(60)gramsoftotalchemicalcomposition(liftcharge,burstcharge,andvisibleoraudibleeffectcomposition),andthemaximumdiameterofeachshellshallnotexceedoneandthree-fourths(1-3/4)inches.Inaddition,themaximumquantityofliftchargeinanyshellshallnotexceedtwenty(20)grams,andthemaximumquantityofbreakorburstingchargeinanyshellshallnotexceedtwenty-fivepercent(25%)ofthetotalweightofchemicalcompositionintheshell.Thetotalchemicalcompositionofalltheshellsinakit,includingliftcharge,shallnotexceedfourhundred(400)grams.The userlowersa shellintothelaunchingtube,atthe timeoffiring, withthefuseextendingoutofthetopofthetube.Afterthefiring,thetubeisthenreloadedwithanothershellforthenextfiring.Alllaunchingtubesshallbecapableoffiringtwicethenumberofshellsinthekitwithoutfailureofthetube.Eachpackageofmultiple-shotaerialshellsmustcomplywithallwarninglabelrequirementsoftheConsumerProductSafetyCommission;and

(3) Audible ground devices.

  1. Firecrackers, salutes. Small paper-wrapped or cardboard tube containing not more than fifty (50) mg. of pyrotechniccomposition.Thoseusedinaerialdevicesmaycontainnotmorethanonehundredthirty(130) milligrams of explosivecompositionperreport.Uponignition,noise anda flashof lightis produced;and
  2. Chaser. Small paper or cardboard tube that travels along the ground upon ignition. A whistling effect, or other noise, is often produced. The explosive composition used to create the noise may not exceed fifty (50) mg.

 

227.704 Novelties and trick noisemakers defined.

Itemslistedinthissectionareclassifiedasnoveltiesandtricknoisemakersandarenotclassifiedas consumerfireworksby theUnitedStates Department ofTransportation, andtheirtransportation,storage,retail sale, possession,sale, anduseshallbe allowed throughoutthestate atalltimes.

  1. Snake,glowworm.Pressedpelletofpyrotechniccompositionthatproducesalarge,snake-likeash upon burning. The ash expands in length as the pellet burns. These devices may not contain mercuric thiocyanate.
  2. Smoke device. Tube or sphere containing pyrotechnic composition that, upon ignition, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect.

 

  1. Wiresparkler.Wirecoatedwithpyrotechniccompositionthatproducesashowerofsparksupon ignition.Theseitemsmaynotcontainmagnesiumandmustnotexceedonehundred(100)gramsofpyrotechnic compositionperitem.Devicescontaininganychlorateorperchloratesaltsmaynotexceedfive(5)gramsof pyrotechnic composition per item.
  2. Tricknoisemaker.Itemthatproducesasmallreportintendedtosurprisetheuser.Thesedevices

 

include:

(a)Partypopper.Smallplasticorpaperitemcontainingnotmorethansixteen(16)mg.ofexplosive

 

compositionthatisfrictionsensitive.Astringprotrudingfromthedeviceispulledtoigniteit,expellingpaper streamers and producing a small report.

  1. Boobytrap.Smalltubewithstringprotrudingfrom bothends,similartoapartypopperindesign. The ends of the string are pulled to ignite the friction sensitive composition, producing a small report.
  2. Snapper.Small,paper-wrappeditemcontainingaminutequantityofexplosivecompositioncoatedon small bits of sand. When dropped, the device explodes producing a small report.
  3. Trickmatch.Kitchenorbookmatchthathasbeencoatedwithasmallquantityofexplosiveor pyrotechnic composition. Upon ignition of the match a small reportor a shower of sparks is produced.
  4. Cigarette load. Small wooden peg that has been coated with a small quantity of explosive composition. Upon ignition of a cigarette containing one (1) of the pegs, a small report is produced.
  5. Autoburglaralarm.Tubewhichcontainspyrotechniccompositionthatproducesaloudwhistleor smoke,orboth,whenignited.Asmallquantityofexplosive,notexceedingfifty(50)mg.mayalsobeusedto producea small report. A squib is used to ignite the device.

 

227.708 Legality of items described in KRS 227.702.

  1. ItemsdescribedinKRS227.702arelegalforretailsaleprovidedallapplicablefederalandstate requirements with respect thereto are met.
  2. Items described in KRS 227.706 are not legal for retail sale but are legal under permits granted pursuant toKRS227.710forthepurposesspecifiedinthischapterforpublicdisplaysandmaybesoldatwholesaleas provided in this chapter.
  3. ItemsdescribedinKRS227.704arelegalforretailsaleprovidedallapplicablefederalandstate requirements with respect thereto are met.

 

227.715 Requirements for sale of certain consumer fireworks.

Except as provided in KRS 227.710, the consumer fireworks described in KRS 227.702 may be offered for sale, sold at retail, or kept with the intent to sell, only if the following requirements are met:

  1. Anyperson,firm,co-partnership,nonprofit,orbusinessintendingtosellconsumerfireworksdescribedinKRS227.702(1)shallregisterannuallywiththe statefire marshal,who mayassessafeeofnomore thantwenty-five dollars ($25) foreachsite at whichfireworks shall be sold.The registration requirement under this section shallnotapplytopermanentbusinessestablishmentswhichareopenyearroundandinwhichthesaleoffireworksisancillarytotheprimarycourseofbusiness.EachlocationshallberequiredtochargesalestaxatthecurrentrateimposedonretailersinKRS139.200;
  2. Permanentbusinessestablishmentsopenyear-roundandinwhichthesaleofconsumerfireworksis ancillarytotheprimarycourseofbusinessshallonlybepermittedtosellthoseconsumerfireworksdescribedin KRS227.702(1),or shallmeetthe criteriafor"seasonalretailer" described insubsection(3)of thissection;
  3. "Seasonalretailers"shallbedefinedasanyperson,firm,co-partnership,nonprofit,orcorporationintendingtosell"consumerfireworks"betweenJune10andJuly7,orDecember26andJanuary4ofeachyearorboth,andshall include permanent businesses,temporary businesses,stores,stands,ortents.Aseasonal retailershallregisterwiththestatefiremarshal,whomayassessafeeofnomorethantwohundredfiftydollars($250)foreachsiteatwhichfireworksshallbesold.EachlocationshallberequiredtochargesalestaxatthecurrentrateimposedonretailersinKRS139.200;
  4. Anyperson,firm,co-partnership,nonprofit,orcorporationintendingtosellconsumerfireworks,asdefinedinKRS227.702(2)and(3)astheprimarysourceofbusiness,thatisnotaseasonalretailerasdefinedinsubsection(3)ofthissection,shallregisterwiththestatefiremarshal,whomayassessafeeofnomorethanfivehundreddollars($500)foreachsiteatwhichfireworkswillbesold.EachlocationshallberequiredtochargesalestaxatthecurrentrateimposedonretailersinKRS139.200;
  5. The annual registration required by this section shall be received by the state fire marshal at least fifteen

(15)dayspriortoofferingfireworksforsaleatthesiteforwhichtheregistrationisintended.Evidencethatasales and use tax permit has been obtained from the Department of Revenue shall be presented to the state fire marshal as

 

aconditionofregistration.Iftheregistrationisreceivedlessthanfifteen(15)dayspriortoofferingfireworksfor saleatthesiteforwhichregistrationisintended,anadditionalassessmentofonehundreddollars($100)shallbe added to theinitial fee;

  1. Eachsiteatwhichfireworksareofferedforsaleshallhaveitsregistrationcertificatedisplayedina conspicuous location at the site;
  2. Eachsiteatwhichfireworksareofferedforsaleshallcomplywithallapplicableprovisionsofthe International Building Code, with Kentucky Amendments

(adoptededition),andNFPA1124(NationalFireProtectionAssociation)–CodefortheManufacture, Transportation, Storage, andRetail Sales of Fireworks and PyrotechnicArticles (adopted edition);

  1. No person or business shall give, offer for sale, or sell any consumer fireworks listed in KRS 227.702 to any person under eighteen (18) years of age;
  2. Nopersonundereighteen(18)yearsofagemaybeemployedbyafireworksdistributionfacilityor manufacturingfacility.Nopersonundereighteen(18)yearsofageshallsellconsumerfireworksataconsumerfireworksretailsales facilityregisteredunderthis sectionunless the individualis supervisedbyaparentorguardian;
  3. Thestatefiremarshalmayrevoketheregistrationofanysitewhichisinviolationofarequirementof thissection,oranyotherrequirementprovidedpursuanttothischapter.Iftheviolationrendersanyproperty especiallysusceptibletofireloss,andthereispresentsuchhazardtohumanlifeorlimbthatthepublicsafety imperativelyrequiresemergencyaction,the statefiremarshalmaytakethataction,asprovidedinKRS227.330(6); and

 

  1. Apersonlawfullypossessingconsumerfireworks,asdefinedinKRS227.702(2)and(3)mayuse those items if:
    1. He or she is at least eighteen (18) years of age;
    2. Fireworks are not ignited within two hundred (200) feet of any structure, vehicle, or any other person;

 

and

(c) Use of the fireworks does not place him or her in violation of any lawfully enacted local ordinance.

 

 227.750Seizureandsaleoffireworksstoredandheldinviolationofchapter--Noticeofproposeddisposalof fireworks required -- Administrative hearing -- KRS 227.700 to 227.750 not to conflict with localordinances.

  1. Thestatefiremarshal,oranyfiredepartmenthavingjurisdictionwhichhasbeendeputizedtoacton behalfofthestatefiremarshal,shallcausetoberemovedattheexpense ofthe ownerallstocksoffireworkswhich are stored and held in violation of this chapter. After a period of sixty (60) days, the seized fireworks may be offered for salebyclosedbid to aproperlycertifiedfireworkswholesaler.
  2. Afteraperiodofsixty(60)days,theseizedfireworksmaybeofferedforsalebyclosedbidtoa properlycertifiedmanufacturer,distributor,orwholesaler.AllseizedfireworksorexplosiveswithaClass1.3Gor "Display"designationshallrequirethenotificationoftheUnitedStatesBureauofAlcohol,Tobacco,Firearmsand Explosives.Thestatefiremarshalshallprovidetheownerorpossessorareceiptcontainingthecompleteinventory ofanyfireworks seizedwithinfive(5)business daysof theseizure.
  3. Before any seized fireworks may be disposed of:
    1. Iftheowneroftheseizedfireworksisknowntothestatefiremarshal,thestatefiremarshalshallgive noticebyregisteredmailorpersonalservicetotheownerofthestatefiremarshal'sintentiontodisposeofthe fireworks. The notice shall informthe owner of the state fire marshal's intent. The state fire marshal shall conductan administrative hearingin accordancewithKRS Chapter13Bconcerning thedisposaloffireworks;or
    2. Iftheidentityoftheownerofanyseizedfireworksisnotknowntothestatefiremarshal,thestatefire marshalshallcausetobepublished,inanewspaperofgeneralcirculationinthecountyinwhichtheseizurewasmade,noticeoftheseizure,andofthestatefiremarshal'sintentiontodisposeofthefireworks.Thenoticeshallbe publishedonceeachweek forthree(3) consecutiveweeks.If noperson claims ownershipof thefireworks withinten

(10) daysofthe date ofthe last publication, the state fire marshal may proceedwith disposal ofthe fireworks.Ifthe ownerdoesclaimthefireworkswithinten(10)daysofthedateofthelastpublication,ahearingassetoutin paragraph (a) of this subsection shall beheld

(4)NothinginKRS227.700to227.750shallrestrictalocalgovernmentfromenactingordinancesthat affect the sale or use of fireworks within its jurisdiction.

227.752 Storage of consumer fireworks, display fireworks, and theatrical pyrotechnic devices --Report to state fire marshal and local fire chief required --Contents and time of filing of reports -- Consequences of failure to submit a report.

 

  1. For the purposes of this section, "APA 87-1" means the latest document: Standard for Construction and ApprovalforTransportationofFireworks,Novelties,andTheatricalPyrotechnicswrittenbytheAmerican Pyrotechnic Association (APA).
  2. Thestorageofconsumerfireworks,displayfireworks,ortheatricalpyrotechnicdevices,asdefinedin APA87-1,atretail,wholesale,storage,ormanufacturingfacilitiesshallbereportedinwritingtothestatefire marshaland the localfire chiefof thejurisdictionwhere the facilities are located.
    1. Thereportshallbecompletedbytheownerorlesseeofthepropertyorthesupplierofthefireworks, andshallinclude theaddressof thefacility, the locationofthe fireworks tobe stored, acopyoftheshippingbill, and whethertheyare consumer fireworks, theatricalpyrotechnic devices,ordisplayfireworks.
    2. TheinitialreportforpermanentbusinessestablishmentsopenyearroundshallbesubmittedbetweenJanuary1,2012,andJanuary31,2012,forexistingbusinessandfifteen(15)daysbeforestoragebeginsfornew businesses. The report for permanent business establishments open year round shall be updated annually and upon a change in locationof thestored items.

(3)Seasonalretailers,asdefinedinKRS227.715,shallsubmit,atleastfifteen(15)dayspriortoopening for sale each year, areport tothe state firemarshal and thelocal firechief of thejurisdiction identifying:

  1. The address where the sales will be taking place;
  2. The address where the fireworks will be stored; and
  3. Adescriptionofhowthefireworkswillbestored.Onlyone(1)reportisdueiftheseasonalretailer stores the same product at thesame location for both the June 10 through July 7 and December 26 through January 4 seasons.

 

(4)Failuretosubmitareport requiredunderthissectionshallbecauseto ceaseanddesistoperationof the facilityorsiteuntilsuchtimeastherequiredinformationisproperlysubmitted.Inspectorsshallnotifythepermit holder in writing and may allow twenty-four (24) hours to remedy the violation, unless the violation poses a distinct

fire hazard.

fireworks stars and stripes background