Policy Statement - Fireworks
Policy Statement
FIREWORKS
Hopkins Fire Prevention Bureau
Date: June 6, 2002
Subject: Fireworks
Changes to Minnesota Statute 624.20 now allow for the public sale, possession and
use of a limited number of, but not all, consumer fireworks.
Summary of Changes to Minnesota Fireworks Laws
+ Sale, possession and use of some non-explosive and non-aerial consumer
fireworks is now permitted in Minnesota on or after April 30, 2002. Examples
include items such as sparklers, cones and tubes that emit sparks, novelty items
like snakes, and party poppers. For a complete list, see the table on the back
side of this sheet,
+ These consumer fireworks may not be used on public property (i.e. parks, roads,
-
alleys, schools, government property etc.).
+ Purchasers of these fireworks must be at least 18 years old. Retailers need to
check photo identification.
+ Sale, possession and use may occur at any time during the year.
At this time the City of Hopkins does not have a requirement for permits to sell these
consumer fireworks. Storage and retail displays must conform with the Minnesota "
Uniform Fire Code Article 77, Explosive Materials. \ -...--
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What Requirements Have Not Changed } ,- I~'
L.
. Explosive and aerial fireworks are still prohibited for public sale, possession and (~
use. Prohibited fireworks include firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, roman
candles, mortars and shells. I
+ Requirements for "public" display fireworks and certification for their use remain f}..:l
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. unchanged.
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1010 First Street South Hopkins Minnesota 55343 (952) 939-1321
.
Table 1: Examples of Legal and Illegal Fireworks
I EXAMPLES OF FIREWORKS THAT ARE EXAMPLES OF FIREWORKS THAT
NOW LEGAL TO SELL, POSSESS AND USE CONTINUE TO BE ILLEGAL TO SELL
BY THE PUBLIC ON OR AFTER POSSESS AND USE, EXCEPT AS
APRIL 30,2002 AS PERMITTED BY PERMITTED UNDER MINNESOTA
MINNESOTA STATUTE 624.20 (C): STATUTE 624.20
Wire or wood sparklers of not more than 100 I
grams of mixture per item . Anv fireworks that are explosive
i Other sparkling items which are . Any fireworks that are aerial
I nonexplosive and nonaerial and contain 75 . Firecrackers (any size)
I grams or less of chemical mixture per tube or a
total of 200 grams or less for multiple tubes . Ladyfingers
and include: . Sky rockets
. Cvlindrical fountain Upon ignition, a shower of . Bottle rockets
colored sparks or smoke and sometimes a . Missile type rockets
whistling effect is produced. . Helicopters, aerial spinners, planes,
. Cone Fountain The effect is the same as that of UFOs
a cylindrical fountain. When more than 1 cone is
mounted on a common base, total pyrotechnic . Roman Candles
composition may not exceed 200 grams . Mines or shells (heavy cardboard or
. IlIuminatinq Torch paper tube(s) attached to a base - I e
. Wheel - Pyrotechnic device intended to be upon ignition stars, balls or reports are
attached to a post or tree by means of a nail or
string. Upon ignition, the wheel revolves, propelled into the air)
producing a shower of color and sparks anct;--- . Chasers
sometimes, a whistling effect . Parachutes
. Ground Spinner. Small device venting out an 1.3G Display (special or class B)
.
orifice usually on the side of the tube. Similar in Fi reworks
operation to a wheel but intended to be placed
flat on the ground and ignited. The rapidly . Aerial shells
spinning device produces a shower of sparks . Theatrical pyrotechnics (see Minn.
and color. Stat. 624.20 to 624.25)
. Flitter Sparkler - Narrow paper tube attached to
a stick or wire that produces color and sparks
upon ignition. The paper at one end of the tube
is ignited to make the device function.
. Flash/Strobe - Emit a bright light Basically, any fireworks listed above are
still not legal for public sale, possession or
Novelty items such as snakes and glow use, except with a permit and by a certified
worms, smoke devices, or trick noisemakers operator according to Minnesota Statute
which include paper streamers, party poppers, 624.20. (i.e. these fireworks are still not
string poppers, snappers, and drop pops, each legal unless a permit has been issued by
consisting of not more than twenty-five the local jurisdiction and they are used by
hundredths grains of explosive mixture. a state certified operator)
.
State Fire Marshal Fireworks Fact Sheet April 30, 2002 Page 2 of 6
W\W>/. fire. state. m n. us Questions: firecode@state.mn.us
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