Changes to the Fireworks Law
If you are working in Michigan, by now your department has received multiple calls from fireworks companies looking to setup shop and start selling fireworks here in Michigan. There is no doubt the law has changed and there are many things that the fire service needs to be aware of.
The new law was signed into effect on January 1, 2012 by Gov. Rick Snyder. The new bill allows for the use of Consumer Grade Fireworks within the state of Michigan. This law separates Consumer Grade Fireworks and Low Impact Fireworks (previously approved fireworks in Michigan).
Here are some quick items of note:
- The new law prohibits any ordinance which bans the sale of fireworks. If you community had a previous ordinance on selling of fireworks changes should be made to be in accordance with the new law.
- In order to sell consumer fireworks there must be a two tiered approach for approval. The first step is for the applicant (tent, stand or structure) to submit for a certificate with the Bureau of Fire Services. The BFS will issue and inspect the property for compliance with the law. The second step is the site must be appropriately zoned and a certificate of occupancy issued by the Building Department. This may require new structures to have local site plan approval as any other building in a community would have.
- Know the difference between consumer grade fireworks and display fireworks. Consumer grade fireworks are properly labeled as 1.4G fireworks. Read the APA standard for more information.
- All locations must be in compliance with NFPA 1124 and the Michigan Building Code.
- A local community may enact an ordinance banning the shooting of fireworks. The only exception is on the day before, day of, and day after any major holiday (I would use the federal holidays)
- The process for Display shows are still required to have local unit of government approval. This part of the law did not change.
It is critical that you have some information at your finger tips. The following links are resources you may need. This includes a copy of the State Law, Emergency Rules and other resources.
- Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256
- APA Standard
- NFPA 1124
- Emergency Rules
- State Fire Marshal /BFS Web-Page
It is critical that the local units of government communicate and establish an understainding of the new law and penalties. Work with local planning, building and zoning administrators on new buildings and tent sites. Develop a path of enforcement with the local law enforcement and prosecutors office before the fireworks season.
Don’t forget to start educating the public on the dangers of consumer fireworks and provide plenty of public education on fireworks safety this year. MFS.com will provide more training throughout the next couple of weeks.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
This law now becomes a residential headache. A few fireworks customers now make it a noise nuisance for tbe manoriy of residents. Their addiction similar to alcoholics as they lack the respect of all others. They light up nightly and are a noisy nuisance. Revenue gain in business sales is a lousy excuse for the benefefit of a few degenerates seeking a bang for their buck. It will become as another texting / driving problem of ABUSE and nuisace for law enforcement.
Awesome, fireworks are going off every night and waking me up and freaking my dog out. This is a horrible idea. Maybe police should actually find those shooting them off on non-holidays and make money with the tickets they issue.
Marie, I would encourage you to contact your state representative as well as your state senator and express your concerns. Actually the consumer can shoot every day, unless there is a local ordinance.
I live in the very uneducated Township of Orion. Our previous Supervisor Gibb had a good run on spending our tax dollars. We now have to cut back on the Services provided by the Oakland County Sheriffs Department. Three cars to service our Township at night. And we have to vote for a new police millage just to keep the poor coverage we are now blessed with. If they do make an arrest another car must provide back-up. Then we have only one car taking care of the township.
With the new Law on Fireworks, our uneducated renters think they can shoot off fireworks at anytime of Day and Night. Our Sheriffs Deputies will not chase down the Late night offenders, and if they do, they just tell them to be careful. What does our State Senator (Looking for Hand Outs) Marleau think when he voted for these new laws. Anybody interested in a late Sunday Night Fireworks Display on the public road in front of his house?
We live in Walker, and neither the police or dispatch know what the laws are, they claim ” they are all legal now! Trying to get to sleep or buying and giving my dogs pills for axiety every night, isn’t fair! It’s albout the all mighty dollar! Why can’t we vote on some of these issues and see who is really for it. We attended a city commission meeting and are holding a special meeting June 25, 2012, in reference to “fireworks” I hope this will help and I agree, start handing out tickets and no warnings since around here we hear on the news about the law, day before, day of and day after! When I call the kent County dispatch and give them a address to where they are letting them off, and they tell us, I (dispatch) well let the officer deside whether he wants to show up or not! When do they have the right to decide, they are working for our community with our money!! Something is wrong here.
I like how everyone is completely against this. You all complain about everything when you dont look at the big picture here. Everyone wants more jobs and better economy here in Michigan. This will bring that here, you all worried about the cops not showing up when you call them for such a dumb thing as some kids letting off fireworks I think they all have better things to do then to stop by a place cause a couple are letting off fireworks at night time. I can see if it’s 2am and they doing that being a problem. But who cares if it’s at 10pm on a Saturday. Who are you to tell me what I can an cannot do. Next I think your going to tell me I can’t drive what I want to drive or tell me that I can’t buy alcohol because it bothers you. I dont understand why grouches like you even stay if you want some quiet then move out of cities and into country. Next you going to be complaining cause the neighborhood kids are having fun running around playing saying their laughing is too loud. You all wonder why most of your neighbors don’t like you well look in the mirror
The idiots around Watkins Lakes area in Waterford have been shooting off those damnable things every night for two weeks. It is now eleven minutes past midnight and they are still booming away. I don’t care myself, they bother me really, but they scare the bejeezers out of my little dogs. It is a terrible thing to think our pets and little kids will be disturbed for the rest of the Summer by those brain dead jackasses blowing off their new found playthings. If you think I am mad, you are right. I will be contacting my Reps and Sen come Monday.