On compliance with industrial safety requirements when conducting fireworks displays using pyrotechnic devices

To ensure compliance with industrial safety requirements during fireworks displays (hereinafter referred to as FD) using technical pyrotechnic articles (hereinafter referred to as PA) of hazard classes IV and V, timed to coincide with the celebration of New Year and Christmas holidays, and to prevent organizations that do not meet the established requirements from conducting them, the Department for Supervision of Safe Industrial Operations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter referred to as Gospromnadzor) hereby informs about the following.

In accordance with subparagraph c) of paragraph 8 of Article 4 of the Customs Union Technical Regulation "On the Safety of Pyrotechnic Articles" (hereinafter referred to as TR CU 006/2011), legal entities holding a permit (license) for this type of activity in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Customs Union member state on whose territory the display (event) is held are allowed to conduct FD or other entertainment events involving the use of technical PA of hazard classes IV and V.

In the Republic of Belarus, such organizations are required to have a permit (certificate) for the right to conduct fireworks using technical PA of hazard classes IV and V in accordance with the Customs Union Technical Regulation "On the Safety of Pyrotechnic Articles" (TR CU 006/2011), issued by Gospromnadzor in accordance with subparagraph 19.28.1 of the unified list of administrative procedures carried out in relation to business entities, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated September 24, 2021 No. 548.

For reference.

In accordance with paragraph 48 of the Rules for ensuring industrial safety when handling pyrotechnic products, approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated January 4, 2021, No. 2 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules), when organizing fireworks displays, the executor develops an industrial safety assurance plan of measures, taking into account the requirements of the Rules.

All work on the setup and conduct of fireworks displays must be carried out in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 4 of the Rules.

In accordance with paragraph 52 of the Rules on conducting fireworks displays, the executor must notify in writing, no later than 3 working days before the scheduled date, in the form according to Appendix 5 to the Rules, the local executive and administrative bodies in whose territory the fireworks display is held, the territorial bodies of internal affairs and emergency situations, and Gosgortekhnadzor (including regional (Minsk city) departments, depending on the territorial affiliation of the fireworks display venue).

Furthermore, in accordance with clause 9 of the Regulations on the procedure for organizing interaction between law enforcement agencies, mass event organizers, and public representatives performing public order protection duties, on issues of public order protection and public security assurance during mass events, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of March 5, 2012 No. 207, the organizer of a mass event where pyrotechnic articles are planned to be used ensures written notification of the territorial internal affairs bodies and regional (Minsk city) inspectorates of the State Industrial Supervision Authority about the holding of pyrotechnic performances and (or) the creation of various effects (sound, light, smoke, and others) using pyrotechnic articles to accompany sports and mass, cultural and entertainment, other entertainment or cultural events, no later than three days before the date of the mass event.

During pyrotechnic performances, only pyrotechnic articles that have a certificate of conformity to the requirements of TR CU 006/2011 and serviceable launching equipment that meets the requirements of the Rules and the manufacturer's operating documentation are allowed to be used.

When choosing (determining) the location for pyrotechnic performances, the following safety requirements established by

TR CU 006/2011 and the Rules for selecting a launching site must be taken into account:

1. The locations of launching sites are determined by the organizer of the pyrotechnic performance and the contractor, depending on the technical characteristics of the pyrotechnic articles and launching equipment used, as well as weather conditions.

2. Launching sites are typically located on the shore of a body of water; the spectator area must be chosen so that it is on the leeward side, outside the danger zone.

3. Launch sites shall not be located closer than two times the largest radius of the hazardous zones established for pyrotechnic articles (PA) used at fireworks displays, to buildings (structures) with external enclosing structures made of combustible materials, fuel depots and other combustible materials, depots (including stacks and haystacks) of coarse fodder, fields with ripening grain crops, crop residues and stubble, coniferous forests, and power lines.

4. Fireworks displays are not permitted:

in locations where it is impossible to ensure the safety requirements for the use of PA stipulated by the operating documentation for PA and the Rules;

in buildings, structures, and premises, including on roofs (coverings), balconies, loggias, and protruding parts of facades of buildings and structures;

in locations where mass events are not permitted;

on bridges, overpasses, transport hubs, within the protection zones of railways, oil, gas, and product pipelines, and power lines;

on the territory of complexes and ensembles of cultural heritage sites, architectural, archaeological, historical monuments, nature reserves and national parks, burial sites, religious buildings (structures), and pilgrimage sites;

at a distance less than twice the largest radius of the hazardous zone established for the PA used, from fire-hazardous, explosion-hazardous, and hazardous production facilities and objects.

Please note that during fireworks displays, safe distances specified in the technical regulatory legal acts for PA must be observed, taking into account weather conditions, wind speed, and the angle of product ejection from launch equipment (mortars).

It is not recommended to use pyrotechnic items (PI) during heavy rain or winds exceeding 15 m/s.

The sites from which fireworks displays (FP) are conducted must be equipped with primary firefighting equipment.

During mass events, in cases provided for by legislative acts, a duty fire and rescue service crew shall be organized at the locations of fireworks displays (FP).

The security (cordoning off) of the hazardous zone shall be ensured by the performer and (or) the organizer of the fireworks display (FP).