WAC 212-17-327   Requirements for chain fusing.  (1) Wherever more than three shells are to be chain fused, such as for sequential firing, additional measures shall be required to prevent adjacent mortars from being repositioned in the event that a shell explodes in a mortar, causing it to burst.

     (2) For buried mortars, prevention of repositioning shall be accomplished by spacing the mortars with a minimum separation distance of four times their diameter.

     (3) For mortars in racks, prevention of repositioning shall be accomplished by mortar racks that have sufficient strength to withstand such a failure successfully.

     (4) Chain-fused mortar racks shall be positioned to maximize the placement of racks perpendicular to spectator viewing areas.

     (5) Chain-fused mortar racks containing mortars three inches or less in diameter shall be limited to a maximum of fifteen mortars per unit. Racks containing mortars four inches in diameter shall be limited to a maximum of twelve mortars. Racks containing mortars five to six inches in diameter shall be limited to a maximum of ten mortars. Chain-fused racks shall not be used for mortars greater than six inches.


Exception: Boxed finale items containing tubes two and one-half inches or less in diameter only shall not be required to comply with the limitation above.

     (6) All chain-fused aerial fireworks devices, including those not in mortar racks such as roman candle batteries and multitube aerial items, shall be positioned securely to prevent tip over or hazardous movement during operation. This shall be accomplished by the use of stakes, racks, sandbags, earth, or equivalent means.

     (7) Staple guns shall not be permitted to be used to secure quick match that is connected to aerial shells, mines, or comets.

     (8) Chain-fused aerial shells shall not be permitted to be reloaded.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.43 and 70.77 RCW. 06-12-010, § 212-17-327, filed 5/26/06, effective 6/26/06.]