Contents
1. Authority and Scope
2. Safety Committee
3. General Requirements
4. Class B/1.3G Testing
5. Competition
6. Class C/1.4G Sales
7. Class C/1.4G Shooting
8. Auction
9. Assembly of Pyrotechnic Devices
10. Educational Workshops and Demonstrations
11. Trade Show Sales
12. Storage
13. Minimum Distances from Spectators

1. These Guidelines shall be known as the Official Fireworks Safety Guidelines and be cited as such. They shall be referred to herein as "the Guidelines."
2. Authority: These guidelines have been selected to apply to all Pyrotechnic Artists of Texas (hereinafter PAT) functions unless superceded by a membership vote. These guidelines have been modified to adhere to Texas state laws and the specific need of PAT. [History: These Guidelines were adapted from the guidelines adopted by the Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. (PGI) in July 1983.]
3. Scope: These Guidelines apply to the handling, storage, sale, discharge or other use of all kinds of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices during any official PAT function. These Guidelines apply to all PAT members regardless of voting status and to friends, relatives, non-members and other person attending a membership function where fireworks are present.
4. Local Authority: These guidelines are in addition to any specific safety requirements or regulations imposed by the legal authority with jurisdiction. No function will be sanctioned by the PAT unless it is in full accordance with the laws and regulations of the U.S., and applicable state and local laws and regulations.

1. The need for safe conduct before, during and after the discharge of fireworks cannot be over emphasized. In order to ensure that the fundamental requirements for safe conduct during the handling and discharge of fireworks are being observed, a Safety Officer, having complete authority over safety matters, shall be elected by the members of PAT annually. Authority to enforce stated safety rules is extended to the members of the Safety Committee appointed by the Safety Officer before each membership function where fireworks are present. The elected safety officer may appoint a safety committee member to be acting safety officer, the appointed member shall have the full authority of the elected officer until the elected officer resumes their duties
2. The Safety Offiver or an appointed member of the Safety Committee shall be present before, during and after the discharge of alI fireworks.
3. The discharge of fireworks shall not begin until members of the Safety Officer and members of the Committee have surveyed the overall situation and are satisfied it is safe to proceed. Whenever adverse conditions arise that significantly affect safety, such as crowd control or weather, the Safety Officer or appointed Committee Member shall halt or postpone any or all pyrotechnic activities as it deems necessary.
4. All Safety Committee personnel shall be provided with arm bands, vests, hats or other identifying markings that are visible during daylight and after dark.
5. Selected Safety Committee members shall be provided with portable two-way voice communication (Walkie-Talkie or similar device) capable of communication with other Committee members situated in critical areas such as spectator viewing locations and fallout zones.
6. Unless Safety Committee are assisted by local authorities or other personnel, members of the Safety Committee shall be stationed at all important crowd control points.
7. The Safety Officer or appointed Committee member shall investigate any instances of unsafe behavior or conditions, whether observed directly or reported by others, and take appropriate action.
8. Any requirement in these Guidelines may be lifted or modified upon approval of a Petition made to the Safety Officer or appointed Committee member. Petitions must be received before the display, contain details of the specific request and the rationale for the modification of a specific requirement. Petitions which are approved apply only to the specific instance described in the Petition. However, when appropriate, the modification may be interpreted by the Safety Committee to apply equally to all participants.
9. The Safety Officer shall get the approval of two members of the safety committee for any variance, waiver, or petition for anything cover by the guidelines that pertains to them personally.

1. All Safety Committee members shall be required to attend either a PAT Safety seminar or PGI Safety Seminar or have a Texas State Shooters License prior to serving on the committee. . They shall carry, and keep as a reference, a copy of these guideline, and they shall be familiar with its contents.
2. No person who is acting in an irresponsible manner or appears to be under the influence of alcohol or other drugs shall be allowed to handle or discharge any fireworks.
3. Only PAT members, or properly registered guests (having completed and sign a registration form and waiver) escorted by PAT members, shall be permitted in class B the firing areas. However, only PAT member shall handle (for any purpose other than posing for photographs), discharge, fire, or use any Class B/1.3G material. (Except raffle items fired from behind the spectator lines by remote means.) Any persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult in the class C area. No person under the age of 18 shall discharge, fire, or use any Class B/1.3G material, including aerial shells, ground bombs, or rockets. All decisions on the classification of this material shall be left to the discretion of the Safety Committee member present at the shoot site, any disputes shall be decided by the Safety Officer. (Except raffle items fired from behind the spectator lines by remote means.)
4. Smoking or open flames, other than devices used to ignite fireworks, shall not be permitted in the Class B/1.3G firing areas. Smoking may be allowed in the Class C/1.4G shooting area and other areas specifically designated by the Safety Officer.
5. Only flashlights and electric lights shall be used for illumination at firing sites, except that fuses may be used by the pyrotechnist at a mortar line.
6. A first aid kit shall be present at all times and store at the registration area. And except for emergency situation, shall not be moved or opened without the knowledge of the medical personnel or Safety Officer.
7. An adequate supply of portable water shall be available at alI firing sites to be used for flooding mortars, extinguishing fires or other needs.
8. Mortar cleaning tools shall be provided and only used to remove excess debris from mortars.
9. After delivery to the firing sites, fireworks shall not be left unattended. They also shall not be allowed to become wet.
10. Shell and mortar diameter rather than circumference measurements shall be used when describing shells and mortars.
11. Persons bringing boxes, bags, or containers into the B line, rocket, ground bomb, or Class C/1.4G areas shall also remove them. No garbage shall be left by shooters. Dumpsters will be provided at various locations for trash disposal. No live material shall be placed in any trash container.
12. All aerial salutes must be fired from paper or HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) mortars. Multi-break shells containing large salutes must be fired from paper mortars; however, exceptions may be granted by the Safety Committee to allow special traditional muIti-break shells to be fired from steel mortars. PVC or other brittle or fragmenting plastic mortars shall not be used for hand firing but may be used for electric firing or for firing volleys of finales when sufficient time is allowed for the pyrotechnist to safely retreat.
13. Salute Restrictions: Aerial Size - 3-3/4" o.d., 7-1/2" length or 6”spherical. Ground Size - 6”spherical or equal volume (must be suspended at least 2 ft. above ground).
14. No hand salutes. All salutes must be tied.
15. All steel mortars and any mortars to be used for repeated hand firing must be buried at least three-quarters of the length in earth or sand.
16. No torpedoes shall be allowed.
17. Dry grass or combustible materials located beneath ground display pieces shall be wet down before the display if they are in sufficient quantity to be a fire hazard.
18. Poles and other bracing used for ground pieces shall he firmly placed, guyed or otherwise secured to prevent accidental displacement prior to or during the functioning of the ground piece.
19. Guy wires used to support ground pieces shall be marked with colored tape or ribbons to prevent personnel from becoming entangled.
20. All personnel are encouraged to wear protective clothing and utilize any safety equipment they deem appropriate. Safety glasses are strongly recommended.
21. Personnel at the shooting site shall closely observe the firing in order to detect and maintain an accurate count of misfires and duds.
22. After the completion of shooting for the night, all firing sites and fallout areas shall be inspected in order to locate and retrieve hazardous materials.
23. After securing the grounds for the night members of the Safety Committee or their appointees shall again inspect the firing sites and fallout sites and fallout areas very early the following morning for any remaining materials.

1. This section provides Guidelines for the safe testing of Class B/1.3G fireworks in order to determine aspects of their performance.
2. The safety practices provided under Article 3 shall apply to all instances of Class B/1.3G testing.
3. Clearly marked firing lines and firing direction shall be established by the Safety Committee or Site Chairman and observed by all participants. Class B/1.3G testing shall be conducted only at these designated firing sites and only during the hours the site permit is valid.
4. All shooters and their assistants shall be responsible for spotting, retrieving and properly disposin g of any duds or other hazardous material that may result from their testing.
5. Viscoe safety fuse may be inserted into quick match shell leaders for hand firing.
6. At any one time, only one shooter and an assistant shall be allowed to shoot in an area.
7. No shells over six inches in diameter shall be hand fired. Electric match shall be inserted by qualified personnel only. A safe firing distance of 100 or more feet shall be used.
8. Equipment such as mortars or rocket launchers provided by a participant must be approved by a member of the Safety Officer or appointed Committee member prior to use.
9. Rockets shall be launched from guide tubes or racks employing at least two metal eyelets and not from any type of rail, "V" or "U" shaped launcher which depends solely on gravity to control the rocket at the time of launching. Guide tubes must be of such diameter that the rocket sticks have no more the one-half inch clearance on all sides. (Mortars are not adequate guide tubes.)
10. Smoking is strictly prohibited at all Class B/1.3G firing sites.
11. All shells shall be in ready boxes with Iids closed at the time of firing. Cardboard boxes may be used only for transporting shells to the B line; they must be emptied immediately upon arrival to the ready box.
12. Shells with short leaders shall not be fired. For Class B/1 .3G testing and competition, at least eight inches of leader and at least three inches of black match shall be exposed from the mouth of the gun. All black match shall be fully covered with a safety cap until the moment of firing.
13. Both shooter and assistant shall leave the B line area immediately after completion of their shooting. Security personnel shall allow only two sets of shooters on the B line at a time. When the number of available guns and the distance between them allow it, the Shoot Line Boss may make exceptions to this guideline.
14. Only single shells shall be tested; no flights of shells shall be allowed. Class B/1.3G cakes, properly designed and engineered, with up to 3" tubes mounted on a firm base and attached so as not to tip over when fired, shall be allowed at the discretion of the safety person present. Shells or reports fired from professionally-made flare guns shall also be allowed, if approved by the safety person present.
15. Safety personnel shall have the right to inspect any and all material brought to the B line for firing. Defective material, bad leaders, under-lifted shells, and any items prohibited by BATF or PAT guidelines shall be disallowed. Anyone possessing or attempting to use Class A material (except black powder), without prior approve from the Safety Officer, shall be escorted from the shoot site, and a recommendation shall be made to the officers that that person be ousted from PAT.

1. Only those pyrotechnic devices meeting specifications as cited in the PAT Competition Rules shall be permitted in a competition.
2. All competitors are required to provide at least one competent assistant. Safety personnel on duty shall not be allowed to shoot shells for competitors.
3. Individuals entering any competition are required to make all their pyrotechnic devices available for inspection and approval by a member of the Safety Committee. Devices shall meet these requirements:
1. Shells shall be of overall firm construction.
2. Finished outside dimensions shall fit properly into the appropriate sized mortar.
3. Leaders on shells to be hand fired must have 8" or more protruding from the mortar after the shell has been properly inserted into the mortar. (Assuming mortar length is 5-6 times the shell diameter.) Leaders shall have a safety cap installed over the exposed end of the fuse, and at least 3" (3-6 seconds burn time) of bare match shall be available for igniting the shell, to allow sufficient time for the pyrotechnist to retreat to a safe position.
4. Lift charge and internal delay fuse shall be appropriate to propel the shell to a safe altitude before functioning.
5. Shells shall be labeled with the type of shell and the name of the shell maker. If the shell contains one or more salutes, the shell shall be conspicuously marked with the word "Salute."
6. It is also recommended that the shell contain an indication of its size and a warning label.
7. Rocket sticks or fins must be of the proper size and be firmly attached to the rocket.
8. Equipment used, such as rocket racks and mortars must be of proper construction, materials and placement.
9. Safety and other requirements as stated in the PAT Competition Rules must be followed.

1. Sales shall be made only to PAT members in good standing. Persons joining the PAT at the membership function where fireworks are present shall not be allowed to purchase firworks at that function. Unescorted non-PAT members are not allowed in the Class C/1.4G sales areas.
2. Sales shall be made only to those persons who are at least 18 years of age or who are otherwise accompanied by a PAT member of this required age. PAT Identification Cards may be required to prove membership.
3. A sale, gift or other means of distribution shall not be made to any one who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who is acting in an irresponsible manner.
4. All vendors are obligated to challenge anyone suspected of not meeting the eligibility requirements (items 1 through 3).
5. Sales shall be conducted only by those PAT members in good standing.
6. Only Class C/1.4G items shall be offered for sale. Questionable items must be cleared by the Safety Committee. Class B items can be pre-ordered from the vendors for delivery at PAT events to holds of valid BATF licenses.
7. Sales shall be conducted only in buildings or sales areas designated for this purpose by the Safety Officer or Site Coordinator.
8. Sales shall be conducted only during the time designated for this purpose.
9. Vendors and/or members of the Safety Committee shall have full authority to require anyone causing a safety hazard to leave the sales area.
10. Any building or structure used for conducting sales shall meet the following requirements:
11. There shall be at least two clearly marked exits. No sales may be conducted and no persons allowed to congregate in areas further than 40 feet from an exit.
12. If merchandise is to remain on the premises during times of non-sales, all doors and windows must be capable of being securely locked. Otherwise, merchandise must be moved to an approved and secure location or be under active surveillance to the vendors satisfaction.
13. It shall be the responsibility of vendors to see that all windows and doors are securely locked during periods of non-occupancy of the building.
14. Two functioning 2-1/2 gallon (or larger) water-type (or similar) fire extinguishers shall be available at all times at each Class C/1.4G sales site.
15. Smoking shall be prohibited in and around all portions of the building or areas where Class C/1.4G merchandise is stored or sold. In general this shall be interpreted to mean smoking is not permitted within 50 feet of any entrance to a building and not within 50 feet of any portion of a canvas tent or awning.
16. NO SMOKING signs with letters at 2" high and with 1/2" wide stroke on a contrasting background shall be posted at the entrance of each doorway as well as various locations inside the building or area.
17. Whenever there is concern relative to the number of occupants that could safely exit the building in the case of fire, the Safety Committee shall limit the number of occupants allowed in the building at any one time.

1. Specific locations shall be designated for the discharge of Class C/1.4G common fireworks.
2. Nothing but CSPC designated Class C/1.4G items shall be discharged in the regular shooting areas. "Adult C" devices to be fired shall receive prior approval from the Safety Team.
3. Separate areas for distinct types of Class C/1.4G shooting may be used.
1. For the discharge of firecrackers, including celebration rolls.
2. For the discharge of fountains, gerbs, self-propelled ground devices, ground spinners, wheels, and sparklers.
3. For the discharge of roman candles, cakes, 1.75" re-loadable mortars and other ascending devices.
4. For the discharge of rockets as approved by safety personnel present
5. For the discharge of "Adult C" items approved by the safety team.
4. All shooting locations shall be at a minimum distance of 500 feet from any fireworks assembly areas or magazines as well as at a minimum distance of 500 feet from Class C/1.4G vendors and spectators.
5. The shooting site shall be arranged so that the prevailing wind blows away from the shooter and spectators. Wind blowing parallel to the firing line shall also be acceptable. In case of significant wind shift, shooting shall be stopped and the site rearranged as needed.
6. Fountains, gerbs, cakes, and candles shall be bedded in sand or otherwise supported to prevent toppling when fired. No roman candle or any other device shall be held in hand when it is lit.
7. Any person who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, who is acting in an irresponsible manner or who is under the age of 18 years and not accompanied by an adult shall not be permitted in any of the shooting locations.
8. Members of the Safety Committee shall be present at all times during Class C/1.4G shooting to ensure enforcement of safety regulations and practices.
9. All unauthorized persons shall be prevented from entering any of the shooting locations by the Safety Committee, or by fencing or other barriers.
10. All Class C/1.4G fireworks brought to a shooting location must be kept in closed containers and maintained behind any established firing line.
11. A fire extinguisher shalI be on site during shooting of Class C/1.4G devices.
12. Safety glasses shalI be required for those participating in class C open shooting.
13. Rockets shall be launched in a manner as described in Article 4.
14. The security personnel, barriers and other means used to prevent unauthorized persons in the shooting locations shall be in effect until the grounds have been thoroughly policed and any materials removed.

1. The attachment of lance, drivers, gerbs, match, and other components to wheels and other set pieces;
2. The fusing of Class C/1.4G devices;
3. The lifting of aerial shells;
4. The attachment of sticks and fins to rockets; and
5. The wet priming of devices.
6. All allowed assembly activities shall be conducted in designated areas. A building or area designated to be used as a location for assembling fireworks shall not be used during the assembly for other activities unless approved by the Safety Committee. Buildings or designated areas must e located 500 feet away from any shooting sites and at least 300 feet from Class C/1.4C vendors, magazines or spectators. The safety requirements listed in Article 6 shall be observed.
7. Open air assembly of set pieces and other competition entries shall be permitted in specifically designated areas which must be located a minimum 500 feet from any area in which fireworks are being ignited and a minimum of 300 feet from Class C/1.4G vendors and magazines.
8. Occupancy of the assembly building shall be limited to PAT members with prior authorization.
9. Hazardous materials such as flammable powder, fuse, match and similar combustibles shall be stored in closed containers.
10. Completed devices shall be promptly transported to a magazine or storage area which is secured against fire and theft.
11. All bare match and ends of completed devices shall be covered with safety caps.

1. Smoking shall not be permitted during any demonstration or workshops where hazardous materials are used. NO SMOKING signs shall be prominently displayed at the site of all demonstrations.
2. Proper safety equipment shall be present and used during demonstrations or workshops where safety techniques can be emphasized. This may include but is not limited to respirators, rawhide mallets, face shields and gloves.
3. Hazardous materials shall be brought to the demonstration or workshop sites in closed containers.
4. Excess or unused hazardous materials resulting from demonstrations or workshops shall be returned to their respective containers and not allowed to accumulate in work areas.
5. Only enough hazardous materials necessary to conduct the demonstration or workshop shall be permitted at the work area. BuIk containers of black powder or stars, for example, are not allowed.
6. All work areas shall be thoroughly cleaned as soon as the speaker has completed the presentation.

1. Trade show sales shall be divided into two categories, those with materials of a hazardous nature and those of a non-hazardous nature. The Safety Committee is responsible for making specific decisions regarding whether a material is considered hazardous or non-hazardous.
2. Items of a hazardous nature such as fireworks, stars, and flammable components shall be sold in either the Class C/1 .4G sales area or in a separate location where no smoking restrictions can be enforced.
3. Items of a non-hazardous nature such as some chemicals, casings, tools and literature may be sold anywhere designated by the function organizers.
4. All hazardous materials shall be in closed containers. Sealed plastic bags are permitted only for non-deflagrating materials.
5. Neither black powder nor Class B/1.3G devices shall be for sale to the general membership or on open display.

1. Explosive storage facilities (magazines) used during a PAT membership function where fireworks are present shall meet the federal requirement and be approved by the Safety Committee.
2. Class B/1.3G fireworks shall be stored in an approved Type 4 (or greater) magazine during PAT functions.
3. Minimum distances from Class C/1.4G storage to all shooting sites shall be 500 feet or greater. Class B/1.3G storage (magazines) shall be remote from public access and a minimum of 250 feet from Class B/1.3G shooting areas. If it can be arranged, the Class B/1.3G storage facility should have its openings facing away from any shooting areas.
4. Persons appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or otherwise acting in an irresponsible manner shall not be permitted in or near any magazine.
5. Smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of any magazine or fireworks storage area. NO SMOKING signs with lettering at least 2" high with 1/2" wide stroke on a contrasting background shall be posted in all areas where smoking is prohibited.
6. Any explosive storage facility shall remain locked at all times when unattended
   

1. All devices (both Class B/1.3G and C/1.4G), when ignited, shall be separated from the main body of spectators by a safe distance which is to be determined solely by these Guidelines and/or by the Safety Committee.
   
   

   ITEM	DISTANCE
   a. All metal mortars	300 feet
   b. Individually-fired shells (from vertical mortars)	70 feet per inch of shell diameter
   (from properly angled mortars)	47 feet per inch of shell diameter
   c. Chain-fused shells fired from racks not capable of withstanding a mortar-misaligning detonation	Twice the distances in "B"
   d. Mines (2" and small, containing stars only)	150 feet
   (above 2", containing stars only)	200 feet
   (containing paper-tube items: whistles, reports, hummers, small shells, etc.)	300 feet
   e. Roman candles and cakes (Class C/1.4G)	150 feet
   (Class B/1.3G containing stars only)	200 feet
   (shells, hummers, whistles, reports, etc)	300 feet
   f. Ground salutes(l" and smaller)	100 feet
   (larger than 1")	150 feet
   g. Non-exploding comets (2" and smaller)	150 feet
   (larger than 2" and smaller than 3")	200 feet
   (3" and larger)	300 feet
   h. Crossettes or exploding comets (smaller than 2")	200 feet
   (2" and larger)	300 feet
   i. Wheels	150 feet
   j. Saxons	100 feet
   k. Line rockets	150 feet
   l. Buzz bombs and helicopters	200 feet
   m. Fountains, gerbs. and whistles (below 1" ID)	75 feet
   (larger than 1" and smaller than 2")	1OO feet
   (2" and larger)	150 feet
   n. Waterfalls (without reports)	75 feet
   o. Rockets (bottle rockets, 1/4" ID)	200 feet
   (all others)	300 feet
   p. Lancework (no pyrotechnically-driven parts)	75 feet
   (pyrotechnically-driven parts)	150 feet
   q. Superstrings (firecrackers only)	150 feet
   (with salutes)	250 feet
   r. Suspended cannonades (smaller than 1")	150 feet
   (1" to 2" diameters)	200 feet
   (larger than 2")	300 feet

   
   
2. These distances may be altered by the Committee at any time. Conditions may warrant increased separations. The Safety Committee's decisions may be influenced by wind direction and velocity, by shooting site peculiarities, or by other factors. Shorter distances shall be utilized only upon approval of a petition.
3. The mortar area shall be located so that the trajectory of shells shall not come within 25 feet of any overhead object.