Bill Text: VA SB1625 | 2019 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Statewide Fire Prevention Code; changes definition of permissible fireworks.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2019-03-21 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0720) [SB1625 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2019-SB1625-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §27-95 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§27-95. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them:
"Board" means the Board of Housing and Community Development.
"Code provisions" means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code as adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted and promulgated from time to time by such Board.
"Enforcement agency" means the agency or agencies of any local governing body or the State Fire Marshal charged with the administration or enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code.
"Fire Prevention Code" or "Code" means the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
"Fire prevention regulation" means any law, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and use of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or other agencies.
"Fire Services Board" means the Virginia Fire Services Board as provided for in §9.1-202.
"Fireworks" means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.
"Fireworks operator" or "pyrotechnician" means any person engaged in the design, setup, and firing of any fireworks other than permissible fireworks either inside a building or structure or outdoors.
"Inspection warrant" means an order in writing, made in the name of the Commonwealth, signed by any judge or magistrate whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or entered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and to conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
"Local government" means the governing body of any city, county or town in this Commonwealth.
"Permissible fireworks" means any sparklers,
fountains, Pharaoh's serpents, caps for pistols, or pinwheels commonly known as
whirligigs or spinning jennies fountains that do not emit sparks or
other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet);
wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches);
crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other
burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling
devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report,
(ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do
not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame
longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if
designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side
ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than
eight seconds.
"State Fire Marshal" means the State Fire Marshal as provided for by §9.1-206.
