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Explosive and Fireworks

July 28, 2010 — Notice of Pyrotechnician Certification Availability

Virginia Pyrotechnician (Firework Operator) Certification will not be implemented until further notice. Please monitor this web page and notice for further updates as they become available.

Virginia Acts of Assembly, 2010 Session, effective July 1, 2010, requires amendments to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC) to prohibit the issuance of a fireworks permit unless a State Fire Marshal Office (SFMO) certified pyrotechnician or fireworks operator is in responsible charge of the design, set up and conducting of any fireworks display, either inside a building or structure or outdoors. The SFPC will be amended to institute a certification program that will comply with the legislation but those amendments must be promulgated in compliance with the Virginia Administrative Processes Act (APA). Fortunately the SFPC was already under an APA compliant regulatory review and adoption process to update to the '09 edition of the SFPC and the amendments for pyrotechnician certification were easily incorporated into the process. The target date for the '09 edition of the SFPC to take effect is on or about December 1, 2010 and it is in that edition of the SFPC specific requirements for certification will be expressed.

The SFPC amendments will require that at least one person holding a valid SFMO certificate is present at the site where the fireworks display is being conducted. The proposed amendments will require a certification applicant to provide proof of experience in the form of documentation attesting to being in responsible charge of or assisting in not less than 6 displays during the preceding 24 months, successfully complete a written examination and criminal history records check, and payment of a certification fee. (The most time consuming aspects of the program will be creation of a database of applicants and the development of examinations. It is these two aspects that will be the determining factor on when the program will be fully implemented.)

Upon completion of the application process, a 3-year certification card will be issued and will be renewable upon satisfying a continuing education requirement, a criminal history records check, and payment of a renewal fee.

Additional information or clarification may be obtained by contacting:

Glenn A. Dean, CFM
State Fire Marshal's Office
1005 Technology Park Drive
Glen Allen, VA 23059-4500
804-371-0220
glenn.dean@vdfp.virginia.gov

Explosive and Occupancy Permit Programs

As required by the Code of Virginia §27-97, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) issues permits for the storage, use, and sale of explosives in areas with no local enforcement. This includes investigation of complaints.

The SFMO issues permits for firework displays at state owned sites only. Fees are $200 for outdoor and $300 for indoor displays. Whether indoor or outdoor, in the case of identical, multi-day displays, there is an additional $150 for each subsequent day.

Permits are renewed annually at a fee of $150 for all use permits and $100 for storage. Written verification that the applicant is bonded is required to properly obtain a use permit. A separate magazine is required to store explosives and detonators for all storage permits.

In those localities where the State Fire Marshal’s Office has enforcement authority, a separate application to use explosives is required for each city or county in which the applicant plans or intends to use explosives. If an applicant operates in multiple jurisdictions, multiple applications and permits are required. An application fee of $150 is required for each permit. Photocopies of applications are acceptable.

Please keep in mind that permits issued by the State Fire Marshal's Office are not applicable in localities enforcing the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (SFPC). If a locality has a fire official, then the permit has to be obtained from the local official. A list of local officials is available further down on this screen under the list of "Publications".

You may download permit applications from this site or call the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (804) 371-0220 for applications or questions regarding the explosive permit process.

For more information on explosives permits, firework displays, claster certification and/or background clearance cards, contact:

  • State Fire Marshal, statefiremarshal[located_at]vdfp[period]virginia[period]gov
  • Glenn Dean, Glenn.Dean[located_at]vdfp[period]virginia[period]gov
  • Call: 804-371-0220

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