WAC 212-17-300   Public display -- Definitions.  For the purpose of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings shown:

     (1) Assistant. A person who works under the direction of the pyrotechnic operator in charge to put on an outdoor fireworks display. The duties of an assistant include such tasks as: Loading mortars, spotting the bursting location of aerial shells, tending a ready box, setting up and cleaning the discharge site, igniting fireworks, etc.

     (2) Barrage. A rapidly fired sequence of aerial fireworks. Mortars are loaded prior to the display and the aerial shells are chain fused to fire in rapid sequence.

     (3) Black match. A fuse made from thread impregnated with black powder and used for igniting pyrotechnic devices.

     (4) Boxed finale. A number of mortars grouped closely together and contained by a suitable frame. The mortars are loaded prior to the display and fused for rapid sequence firing.

     (5) Break. An individual effect from an aerial shell; generally either color (stars) or noise (salute). Aerial shells can be single-break (having only one effect) or multiple-break (having two or more effects).

     (6) Chain fusing. A series of two or more aerial shells fused so as to fire in sequence from a single ignition. Finales and barrages are typically chain fused.

     (7) Colored pot. A paper tube containing pyrotechnic composition that produces a colored flame on ignition. Colored pots are used in the construction of ground display pieces.

     (8) Discharge site. The area immediately surrounding the mortars used to fire the aerial shells.

     (9) Electric match. A device consisting of wires terminating at a high resistance element surrounded with a small quantity of heat sensitive pyrotechnic composition. When a sufficient electric current is passed through the wire circuit, the heat that is generated ignites the pyrotechnic composition, producing a small burst of flame. This flame can be used to ignite a fuse or a lift charge in a fireworks device.

     (10) Electrical firing unit. The source of electrical current used to ignite electric matches. Generally the firing unit will have switches to control the routing of the current to various firework items and shall have test circuits and warning indicators, etc.

     (11) Electrical ignition. A technique used to discharge fireworks in which an electric match and source of electric current are used to ignite fuses or lift charges. The electric matches are attached prior to the display, generally with wires connected to an electrical firing unit during the display.

     (12) Fallout area. The area over which aerial shells are fired. The shells burst over this area, and unsafe debris and malfunctioning aerial shells fall into this area.

     (13) Finale. A rapidly fired sequence (barrage) of aerial fireworks, typically fired at the end of a display. The mortars are loaded prior to the display and the aerial shells are chain fused to fire in rapid sequence.

     (14) Finale rack. A row of closely spaced two-inch (51 mm) or three-inch (76 mm) inside diameter, mortars held in a wooden frame. It is similar to a boxed finale.

     (15) Fireworks display. An outdoor display of special fireworks performed as entertainment.

     (16) Flash powder. Explosive composition intended for use in firecrackers and salutes. Flash powder produces an audible report and a flash of light when ignited. Typical flash powder composition contains potassium chlorate or potassium perchlorate, sulfur or antimony sulfide, and powdered aluminum.

     (17) Fusee. A highway distress flare, sometimes used to ignite fireworks at outdoor fireworks displays.

     (18) Ground display piece. A pyrotechnic device that functions on the ground (as opposed to an aerial shell which functions in the air). Typical ground display pieces include fountains, roman candles, wheels, "set pieces."

     (19) Lance. A thin cardboard tube packed with color-producing pyrotechnic composition used to construct ground display pieces. Lances are mounted on a wooden frame and fused so that ignition of all tubes is simultaneous.

     (20) Lift charge. That part of an aerial shell which actually lifts the shell into the air. It usually consists of a black powder charge ignited by a quick match fuse. A delay fuse then ignites the main part of the shell, producing the desired effect.

     (21) Manual ignition. A technique used to ignite fireworks using a handheld ignition source such as a fusee or port fire.

     (22) Monitor. A person designated by the licensee of the display to keep the audience in the intended viewing area and out of the discharge site and fallout area.

     (23) Mortar. A metal or heavy cardboard tube from which aerial shells are fired.

     (24) Mortar rack. A strong wooden or metal frame containing closely spaced mortars. Such racks are most often used for barrages and finales, and in electrically ignited displays.

     (25) Mortar trough. Above ground structures filled with sand or similar material into which mortars are positioned ready for use in a fireworks display.

     (26) Movable ground piece. A ground display piece having movable parts, such as a revolving wheel.

     (27) No-fire current. The maximum current that can be applied to an electric match for five seconds at room temperature without the match igniting.

     (28) Operator. The licensed pyrotechnician (pyrotechnic operator) responsible for setting up and firing a public fireworks display.

     (29) Potential landing area. The area over which shells are fired. The shells will normally burst over this area, but debris and malfunctions will fall into this area; therefore, it must be kept clear of spectators.

     (30) Quick match. Black match that is encased in a loose-fitting paper sheath. While exposed black match burns slowly, quick match propagates flame extremely rapidly, almost instantaneously. Quick match is used in fuses for aerial shells and for simultaneous ignition of a number of pyrotechnic devices, such as lances in a ground display piece.

     (31) Safety cap. A paper tube, closed at one end, that is placed over the end of the fuse of an aerial shell to protect it from accidental ignition. The cap is not removed until just before firing of the shell.

     (32) Salute. A special firework that is designed to produce a loud report.

     (33) Salute powder. A pyrotechnic composition which makes a loud report when ignited and constitutes the sole pyrotechnic mixture in a salute.

     (34) Shell (aerial). A cylindrical or spherical cartridge containing pyrotechnic composition, a long fuse, and a black powder lift charge. The shells are most commonly three-inch (76 mm) to six inch (152 mm) outside diameter and are fired from mortars. Upon firing, the fuse and lift charge are consumed.

     (35) Stars. Small masses of pyrotechnic compounds that are projected from aerial shells, mines, or roman candles.

     (36) Theatrical flash powder. A pyrotechnic composition intended for use in theatrical shows. Theatrical flash powder produces a flash of light when ignited. Typical theatrical flash powder burns more slowly than salute powder and may also produce a shower of sparks. Theatrical flash powder is not intended to produce a loud report.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.43 and 70.77 RCW. 05-12-033, § 212-17-300, filed 5/24/05, effective 6/24/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.77 RCW. 90-10-006 (Order 90-02), § 212-17-300, filed 4/19/90, effective 5/20/90. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.77.250 and chapter 48.48 RCW. 82-22-068 (Order FM 82-10), § 212-17-300, filed 11/2/82.]