2022.3. Consumer Fireworks

(Adopted at the 2022 AGM)

 

Preamble 

 

2022.3.1 Consumer fireworks are readily available across the nation for purchase and use by citizens, in many cases without any safety training, conditions, permits, or restrictions required;

 

2022.3.2 Consumer fireworks storage and transportation requirements for vendors are not as stringent as those for High Level Fireworks used under permits by trained and certified shooters; and that professional firework (pyrotechnic) companies exist to run events safely and effectively, contributing to the economy and community enjoyment;

 

2022.3.3 Consumer fireworks use continues to result in documented cases of fire and injury (of a sample of 587 fire departments across Canada, 142 or 24%  fire departments responded to at least one call involving consumer fireworks in 2022 so far);

 

2022.3.4. Different levels of government each have a role in firework related legislation, that each municipality or county works hard at developing bylaws and  protocols to maintain community safety and that differences in approaches across neighbouring municipalities or counties can unintentionally undermine efforts within any one region;

 

Recommendation

 

2022.3.5 That CAFC members espouse as a common approach a complete ban on the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Canada, in favour of the professional fireworks industry, and lobby the Government of Canada for the immediate implementation of such. This resolution, as passed, replaces resolutions  10.1, 10.4, 17.1 (see above).

 

Status in 2022

 

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

 

Discussion

 

This resolution was adopted at the 2022 CAFC Annual General Meeting, September 13, 2022.

 

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10.4. Restricting Fireworks Retail Sales Locations

(Adopted at the 2014 Annual General Meeting)

 

Preamble

 

10.4.1 The National Fire Code of Canada 2010 requires that the manufacturing, handling, transportation, and and use of Class 1 dangerous goods be in conformance with NRCan R.S., 1085, c. E-17, “Explosives Act and its Regulations”.

 

10.4.2 Section 339 of the Explosives Regulations, 2013 prohibits the sale of consumer fireworks from within a dwelling.

 

10.4.3 Section 348 of the Regulations permits a maximum of 100 kg of low hazard recreation fireworks (family fireworks) to be stored or displayed in retail stores located in any building including a building containing a residential or care occupancy.

 

10.4.4 A fire in a building containing consumer fireworks can be highly challenging for firefighting and the effects of the fire can be dangerous to people who require the time to wake up to a fire alarm and to start evacuating, and to people who require a longer period of time or assistance to evacuate because of their limited mobility.

 

10.4.5 A fire involving fireworks increases the potential of explosions that can severely damage the building’s structural integrity, and can damage the building fire separations that were designed to protect the building occupants and emergency first responders before, during, and after evacuation of the occupants.

 

10.4.6 An explosion inside a building can render the exit stairs and other egress facilities unusable.

 

10.4.7 The highly combustible and explosive content of fireworks will further allow fire to grow and pass easily through damaged fire separations and then throughout a building.

 

10.4.8 Fire separations required by the National Building Code 2010 are not designed as barriers against an explosion.

 

10.4.9 The provision of fire sprinklers in the building, and the provision of fire separations having a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 h, and which are comprised of concrete or masonry will minimize the fire growth potential and the effects of an explosion in a fireworks retail sales establishment.

 

Recommendation

 

10.4.10 That the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs will submit a request for changes to the National Model Codes that will prohibit the retail sale of fireworks in any building containing a residential or care occupancy, unless the building is sprinklered, and the retail sales establishment is separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation of masonry or concrete having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 h.

 

Status in 2022

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

Discussion

A new resolution has been submitted and adopted at the 2022 CAFC Annual General meeting on the ban of consumer fireworks which replaces this one. 

 

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10.1 Safe Use of Consumer Fireworks

(Adopted at 2005 Annual General Meeting)

 

Preamble

10.1.1. “Consumer fireworks” are generally defined as including: “fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pinwheels, Roman candles, volcanoes and sparklers.”  They are dangerous and a major cause of fires.

 

Recommended

10.1.2.  If a complete ban is not implemented, the Federal Explosives Regulatory Division should adopt a multi-faceted approach to the safe use of fireworks to include: options for more stringent restrictions in harmony with continued public education, enforcement and cost recovery

 

Status in 2022

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

Discussion

A new resolution has been submitted and adopted at the 2022 CAFC Annual General meeting on the ban of consumer fireworks which replaces this one. 

 

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10.3 Banning the Importation of Fireworks

(Adopted at 2005 Annual General Meeting)

 

Preamble

 

10.3.1.  The misuse and abuse of fireworks continues to cause significant property damage and personal injury.  Unnecessary costs to taxpayers also result.   

 

10.3.2.  All fireworks sold at wholesale and retail in Canada are imported.

 

Recommended

 

10.3.3.  Canada should develop strategies to ban the importation of consumer fireworks

 

Status in 2021

 

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

 

Discussion

 

Check with Dangerous Goods Committee.

 

 

 

17.1 Banning the Sale of Consumer Fireworks

(Adopted at 2005 Annual General Meeting)

Preamble

 

17.1.1.  “Consumer fireworks” are generally defined as including “fireworks showers, fountains, golden rain, lawn lights, pinwheels, Roman candles, volcanoes and sparklers.”

 

17.1.2.  Many Canadian municipalities have enacted By-laws to partially or totally ban the sale and use of consumer fireworks.

 

17.1.3.  Banning the sale and use of consumer fireworks should be regarded by all municipalities as an important part of the fire prevention responsibilities of their Fire Department

 

Recommended

 

17.1.4.  Every municipality in Canada should have in place a By-law banning the sale and use of consumer fireworks.

 

Status in 2022

 

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

 

Discussion

 

A new resolution has been submitted and adopted at the 2022 CAFC Annual General meeting on the ban of consumer fireworks which replaces this one. 

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10.2 Fireworks Handling - Mandatory Placards

(Adopted at 1999 Annual General Meeting)

Preamble

10.2.1.  Natural Resources Canada does not require placards on any vehicle carrying 25 kilograms or less of fireworks.

 

10.2.2.  Twenty-five kilograms of fireworks could amount to 50 per cent dynamite.

 

10.2.3.  Twelve-and-a-half kilograms of dynamite could be a serious threat to the public and to emergency services personnel.

Recommended

10.2.4.  The Government of Canada should require mandatory placards for all carriers that transport fireworks.

 

Status in 2021

Completed

No longer Relevant

In Progress

Needs to be addressed

Needs to be recast

Discussion

Check with Dangerous Goods Committee.