WAC 212-17-335   Public display -- Firing of shells.  (1) Shells shall be carried from the storage area to the discharge site only by their bodies, never by their fuses.

     (2) Shells shall be checked for proper fit in their mortars prior to the display.

     (3) When loaded into mortars, shells shall be held by the thick portion of their fuses and carefully lowered into the mortar. At no time shall the operator place any part of his body over the throat of the mortar.

     (4) The operator shall be certain that the shell is properly seated in the mortar.

     (5) Shells shall not, under any circumstances, be forced into a mortar too small to accept them. Shells that do not fit properly into the mortars shall not be fired; they shall be disposed of according to the supplier's instructions.

     (6) Shells shall be ignited by lighting the tip of the fuse with a fusee, torch, portfire, or similar device. The operator shall never place any part of his body over the mortar at any time. As soon as the fuse is ignited, the operator shall retreat from the mortar area.

Exception:

Alternatively, electrical ignition may be used.

     (7) The safety cap protecting the fuse shall not be removed by the operator responsible for igniting the fuse until immediately before the shell is to be fired.

Exception:

Where electrical ignition is used.

     (8) The first shell fired shall be carefully observed to determine that its trajectory will carry it into the intended firing range and that the shell functions over, and any debris falls into, the potential landing area.

     (9) The mortars shall be re-angled or reset if necessary at any time during the display.

     (10) In the event of a shell failing to ignite in the mortar, the mortar shall be left alone for a minimum of fifteen minutes, then carefully flooded with water. Immediately following the display, the mortar shall be emptied into a bucket of water. The supplier shall be contacted as soon as possible for proper disposal instructions.

Exception:

When electrical ignition is used and the firing failure is electrical in nature or the aerial shell was intentionally not fired, the shell may be salvaged by the pyrotechnic operator.

     (11) It is the responsibility of the person igniting the aerial shells to detect when a shell does not fire from a mortar. The person shall warn others in the area and shall immediately cause the mortar to be marked to indicate the presence of an unfired aerial shell.

Exception:

When electrically firing, it is not necessary to mark the mortar; however, persons entering the area after the fireworks display shall be warned that an unfired shell remains.

     (12) Operators shall never attempt to repair a damaged shell nor shall they attempt to dismantle a dry shell. In all such cases, the supplier shall be contacted as soon as possible for proper disposal instructions.

     (13) Operators shall never dry a wet shell, lance, or pot for reuse. In such cases, the shell, lance, or pot shall be handled according to disposal procedures.

     (14) The entire firing range shall be inspected immediately following the display for the purpose of locating any defective shells. Any shells found shall be immediately doused with water before handling. The shells shall then be placed in a bucket of water. The supplier shall then be contacted as soon as possible for proper disposal instructions.

     (15) When fireworks are displayed at night, the licensee shall insure that the firing range is inspected right after the show and at first light the following morning.

     (16) The operator of the display shall keep a record, on a form provided by the director of fire protection, of all shells that failed to ignite or fail to function. The form shall be completed and returned to the director of fire protection. Failures shall also be reported to the supplier.



[Statutory Authority: Chapters 43.43 and 70.77 RCW. 05-12-033, § 212-17-335, filed 5/24/05, effective 6/24/05. Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.77 RCW. 90-10-006 (Order 90-02), § 212-17-335, filed 4/19/90, effective 5/20/90; 88-08-027 (Order FPS 88-01), § 212-17-335, filed 3/31/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 70.77.250 and chapter 48.48 RCW. 82-22-068 (Order FM 82-10), § 212-17-335, filed 11/2/82.]