These instructions apply to the sales of fireworks and storing them in retail premises. Instructions for storing explosives (permanently and temporarily) can be found on the Storing explosives page.
Definitions
A fireworks outlet refers to a location or service point that supplies consumers with category F2 or F3 fireworks. A notification for each fireworks outlet must be made to the local rescue department.
A store refers to the retail premises or a part of retail premises where the fireworks outlet is located.
General
Some general matters must be taken into account in the sales and storage of fireworks:
- A notification must be made to the local rescue department at least one month before the fireworks are placed in storage in the retail premises.
- The notification is specific to each fireworks outlet. If the outlet is moved to another location, a new notification must be made.
- The notification can be standing or fixed term depending on the guidelines of the local rescue department, but changes to the premises of the fireworks outlet or the storage facility must always be notified. Rescue departments conduct inspections at the fireworks outlet and issue decisions on the appropriateness of the store’s storage facilities. Rescue departments must prohibit or order the sale of fireworks to be stopped if they observe any significant deficiencies.
- The notification must include names of the responsible person(s) and information on how the storing is organised. The requirements for the storing of fireworks in retail premises also apply to shipping containers located on the store’s outdoor areas and used for temporary storage. Information on the use of such a container must also be included in the notification.
- Supply of fireworks is prohibited between 1 December and 26 December unless the buyer has a specific permit to use the fireworks (approval from the rescue department). This does not apply to sparklers, party poppers and confetti, sparkler candles or other category F1 fireworks.
- A notification on the storing of fireworks and naming a responsible person are not needed if the storing only applies to category F1 fireworks and category P1 pyrotechnic products. The use of category F1 fireworks does not require a notification to be made to the rescue department either.
- Category F2 and F3 fireworks can only be supplied to consumers from fireworks outlets approved by the rescue department. Door-to-door sales and sales from vehicles or a shipping container are not allowed.
- Fireworks must not be supplied to an intoxicated person or persons under 18-years of age.
Fireworks outlet within a store
Matters to be taken into account for fireworks outlets within stores:
- Category F2 and F3 fireworks can only be stored in a cabinet at the fireworks outlet. Fireworks cannot be stored in other spaces within the store, unless the rescue department has approved the space for use as a storage for fireworks (fire resistance of 60 minutes, separate fire section, no other products stored, and space specified in the notification).
- The structure of the cabinet must be fire resistant on its outer surface and the cabined must have fire resistance of at least 30 minutes.
- The cabinet must be marked with the danger label for explosives and the labels specifying the hazard class of the products within the cabinet. The labelling must be clearly visible in all situation (cabinet door open and closed).
- The cabinets must be placed so that they can be monitored at all times during use and in addition to their normal lock, the cabinets must be locked with a sturdy separate lock when the fireworks outlet is closed.
- A fireworks outlet can have more than one cabinet, but the total net explosive quantity of the products cannot exceed 50 kg per fireworks outlet. No other explosives can be stored in the cabinets with the fireworks.
- In addition, up to 50 kg of category F1 pyrotechnic products can be stored within the retail premises and they do not need be stored in a cabinet.
- Up to 100 kg of F2 and F3 fireworks per storage space can be stored in a storage facility located elsewhere within the property than the retail premises or in another building than the retail building.
- The cabinet and the fireworks outlet must be placed in a location that ensures the customers can easily evacue the premises. The fireworks outlet and the cabinet must be placed as far away as possible from all other operations within the building. They cannot be placed in front of the regular exits or emergency exits, or on corridors where they would hinder the access of other customers using the corridor. The cabinets must also not be placed within 1 metre of any heating devices and no easily flammable material can be placed near them.
- During sales, the fireworks outlet must always have a person present who has completed the Tukes pyrotechnic exam (Responsible manager for the sales of explosives and the related storage, pyrotechnic equipment). This person does not need to be the responsible person, but the person must have completed the exam and the responsible person must approve them for the task.
- A fire extinguisher must be located near the cabinet.
- The fireworks outlet and the related storing must be included in the property’s rescue plan.
- The outlet must have written instructions for consumers on how to return a defective product. The instructions can be placed in an easily visible location at the fireworks outlet, or they can be provided to each customer in connection with sales.
- The consumer must have the opportunity to return the products within reasonable time even after the seasonal sales have ended. The sales personnel must also have written instructions for the safe storing and handling of defective products.
- The instructions for storing functional fireworks apply to storing defective fireworks as well. Defective products must be clearly marked in a manner that ensures they cannot be mixed up with the functional products.
Recommendations
- Fireworks should be primarily sold at a separate register but selling fireworks at a dedicated and clearly marked regular register is also allowed. The registers can sell other products at the same time as well.
- The fireworks outlet should be placed so that after the purchase the customer can directly exit the store or retail building. Customers should be discouraged from visiting other premises within the building with the fireworks.
- Retailers must have clear instructions on how the operations of the outlet are handled and how it is ensured that the maximum allowed amount of explosive material is not exceeded during product deliveries.
- In addition to an extinguisher, a fire blanket is recommended to be placed near the outlet.
- Sales personnel should have training in the use of the extinguisher and fire blanket before the sales of the fireworks are started. The fire extinguishers are intended for extinguishing external fires that threaten the fireworks. In such an event, the cabinet doors must also be closed.
- Returns of defective products must be accepted at the store for a week after the seasonal fireworks outlet has ended its operations.
Shipping container in an outdoor area
Matters to be taken into account when selling fireworks from a shipping container in an outdoor area:
- Several containers can be placed on the same area. However, each container can only include fireworks products sold in one fireworks outlet.
- The walls and doors of the container must be insulated, and the doors must have an appropriate locking mechanism, such as a locking bar or a locking box, in addition to the normal lock.
- The container must be labelled in a manner that clearly communicates the container’s contents.
- If the container also contains hazard class 1.3 fireworks, the amount of these must not exceed 200 kg and the total amount of the fireworks products in the container must not exceed 500 kg.
- A fire extinguisher must be placed inside the container.
- The container must be included in the property’s rescue plan.
Separation distances for the container
The following aspects must be considered when deciding on the location of a container meant for the temporary storage of fireworks and located in an outdoor area of store:
- The container must be at least 15 metres away from all walls of the retail building. The distance must be greater if the wall next to the container has a large fire load. The distance can be reduced to 10 metres at maximum if the container-side wall of the retail building is fire resistant or the entire building is protected with automatic fire extinguishing equipment.
- The distance between two containers must be at least 10 metres.
- The distance of the container from parking areas, public roads and railroads must be at least 10 metres.
- The distance of the container from residential buildings, schools, sports facilities or fuel stations must be at least 50 metres.
- The distance of the container from nursing homes, hospitals, day cares or other similar institutions must be at least 100 metres.
- The doors of the containers must be oriented so that in the event of a fire, the possible projectiles cause as little danger as possible.
- The rescue department must be able to reach the container as quickly as possible in an emergency.
- The location of the container must also take into account all other nearby buildings or matters increasing the risk of fire.
Recommendations
- The recommended number of containers is one container per fireworks retailer (fair to all operators).
- The extinguisher withing the container should be placed near the doors to ensure it is easily accessible.
