Section 235.60  Indoor Special Effects Fireworks and Flame Effect Display Compliance Standards

a)                  All indoor special effects, flame effect displays and pyrotechnic services and storage shall be conducted in accordance with: 

1)         NFPA 1126, as modified by 41 Ill. Adm. Code 230.260;

2)         NFPA 160, as modified by 41 Ill. Adm. Code 230.270; and/or

3)         NFPA 140.

b)                  The building in which the display or pyrotechnic service will occur must meet one of the following requirements:

1)                  The building must be protected throughout, including both the seating area and stage, by an automatic sprinkler system; or

2)                  The stage must be protected by an automatic sprinkler system and have a proscenium curtain, as required by NFPA 101, that will automatically deploy in the event of a fire.  No special effects fireworks device and/or flame effect device may be set up on the stage forward of the curtain, i.e., on the audience side of the curtain; or

3)         In stadia and arenas without automatic sprinkler system protection over the floor area used for contest, performance, or entertainment; over the seating areas; or over open-air concourses where, as required by NFPA 101, Section 12.3.5, Exception 4, an approved engineering analysis substantiated the ineffectiveness of the sprinkler protection due to building height and combustible loading.  In the event a display will occur in a stadium or arena that does not have an automatic sprinkler system protecting the floor area used for contest, performance or entertainment, the seating areas or the open-air concourses, the applicant shall submit, to the local governmental authority and to the fire chief of the local jurisdiction or his/her designee, a written engineering analysis prepared by a licensed professional engineer and the written permission of the building owner.

c)                  At any time pyrotechnic materials are on-site, they must be stored in the on-site storage magazine that must be, at minimum, a Type 3 Storage "Day Box" that complies with ATF and DNR (62 Ill. Adm. Code 200.700) requirements for Type 3 magazines.

d)                  Each local governmental authority that intends to approve permits for indoor special effects displays, indoor flame effect displays or pyrotechnic services must have at least one inspector who is knowledgeable about NFPA 140, 160 and 1126 and who has received training from OSFM in the safe setup of special fireworks and/or flame effect devices and the inspection of those displays. 

e)         At least one inspector from the local jurisdiction must be present during the actual display or pyrotechnic service in a building that meets the requirements of subsection (b)(1).  A minimum of one inspector and one member of the local fire service must be present during the actual display or pyrotechnic service in a building that meets the requirements of subsections (b)(2) and (b)(3).  During the event, the inspector shall be in the immediate area of the lead pyrotechnic operator and the member of the local fire service shall be on the audience side of the proscenium curtain.  In the event the show is of a repetitive nature and will be performed more than 3 times, continued stand-by of the inspector and the member of the local fire service after the third performance is at the fire chief's discretion.  In the event the performance of the display is modified in a manner that affects the location or timing of the effects or the materials and/or products being used, then the inspector must be present during the initial 3 performances of the modified display.

f)         Each inspector or member of the local fire service assigned in subsection (e) must have working knowledge of the supplemental fixed or portable fire fighting equipment located at the display area and have a radio for direct communication in an emergency.  They shall also be knowledgeable about crowd management and how to evacuate the building.

g)         At the time an individual applies for an indoor pyrotechnic permit from the local jurisdiction, written notice of the permit application and the indoor display or pyrotechnic service information shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of the date of the pyrotechnic display or pyrotechnic service to OSFM unless agreed to otherwise by OSFM. [425 ILCS 35/2.1]

h)         Permits shall be signed by the chief of the fire department providing fire protection to the area of display or pyrotechnic service, or his or her designee, and must identify the licensed pyrotechnic distributor or licensed production company and the lead pyrotechnic operator.  [425 ILCS 35/2.1]

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 16562, effective October 6, 2010)