On the use of pyrotechnic devices

Currently, the use of pyrotechnic products by citizens is regulated by:

the Customs Union Technical Regulation "On the Safety of Pyrotechnic Products" (TR CU 006/2011), adopted by Decision of the Customs Union Commission of August 16, 2011 No. 770 (hereinafter - TR CU 006/2011);

the Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 30, 1997 No. 114-Z "On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus" (hereinafter - the Law on Mass Events);

the General Fire Safety Requirements for the Maintenance and Operation of Capital Structures (Buildings, Structures), Isolated Premises and Other Objects Belonging to Business Entities, approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of November 23, 2017 No. 7 "On the Development of Entrepreneurship" (hereinafter - GFSR).

By the Safety Rules for the Production and Use of Pyrotechnic Articles, approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus of October 4, 2004,

In accordance with the Rules, the following are considered prohibited locations for fireworks:

territories, buildings, structures, and facilities that do not ensure the safety of citizens due to their technical condition;

locations

near hazardous and harmful production facilities and sites, as well as transport hubs;

bridges, overpasses, transport arteries, railway rights-of-way, oil, gas, and product pipelines, and high-voltage power transmission lines, fire and explosion hazardous facilities;

areas immediately adjacent to hospital buildings
and children's institutions;

areas of facilities of significant moral and cultural value, historical and cultural monuments, cemeteries and places of worship, nature reserves, sanctuaries, and national parks, pilgrimage sites.

Additionally, according to clause 21 of the OTPB, the use of the following is not permitted in buildings, structures, and premises:

pyrotechnic devices;

open flames (candles, torches, and other fire effects):

For reference: flares,

hand-held colored fire torches, as well as colored smoke and other similar pyrotechnic items, are typically classified as Hazard Class I pyrotechnic items according to TR CU 006/2011, with a hazard zone not exceeding 0.5 m. The hazardous factors in these pyrotechnic items are flame and a high-temperature jet of combustion products, scattered flammable elements (hot slag, sparks) within the hazard zone, thermal (infrared) radiation, and specific (harmful) effects of combustion products on humans. When using flares and pyrotechnic items in spectator stands (even with a hazard zone of 0.5 m), the influence of these harmful factors on humans cannot be completely excluded (including the probability of causing harm to the life and health of surrounding citizens attending a sporting event).

It should be noted that, based on the results of a UEFA study on the dangers of using pyrotechnics in stadiums, the following conclusions were drawn:

there is a significant risk to health and safety when using pyrotechnics in close proximity to other people and when ignoring the safe distance indicated on the pyrotechnic item;

pyrotechnics posesignificant risk to the safety of those who use it, other fans, stadium staff, players, and officials;

safe application distances are indicated on all pyrotechnic devices, and these limitations cannot be observed in a stadium filled with fans;

the use of any pyrotechnic devices in a football stadium is dangerous.

Identified health and safety risks include skin burns, ignition of clothing, fire damage to buildings and flammable materials, explosive impact on people and structures, toxic effects and smoke, direct impact on the head, eyes, vision, and hearing, and panic.

In this regard, the use of flares and other pyrotechnic devices by fans at stadiums during international football matches under the auspices of FIFA or UEFA has been prohibited.

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 12 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of November 26, 1992, No. 1982-XII "On Environmental Protection", citizens are obliged toto comply with the requirements established
for the purpose of combating domestic noise in premises, on streets,
in courtyards, on the territory of horticultural associations (cooperatives), in places of recreation and other public places.According to subparagraph 7.10 of paragraph 7 of the Rules for the use of residential premises, maintenance of residential
and auxiliary premises, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of May 21, 2013 No. 399, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., actions that create vibration and noise (including through the use of pyrotechnic devices) must not be performed.

For reference: when using residential premises, citizens should take into account that the permissible and maximum sound levels in residential premises of a residential building must comply with the requirements of sanitary norms (paragraph 37 of the Sanitary norms, rules and hygienic standards "Requirements for the construction, equipment and maintenance of residential buildings", approved by the resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus dated August 20, 2015 No. 95). In this case, the permissible noise level is a noise level that does not cause significant discomfort to a person and significant changes in the indicators of the functional state.

systems and noise-sensitive analyzers (paragraph. 2 of part 1 of point 4 of the Sanitary norms, rules and hygienic standards "Noise in workplaces, in vehicles, in residential premises, public buildings and on the territory of residential areas", approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus
of November 16, 2011 No. 115. Sound level indicators for territories directly adjacent to residential buildings are indicated in point 9 of Annex 2 to these sanitary norms).

The use of PI during mass events shall be carried out in accordance with the Law on Mass Events
and is possible only with the appropriate decision of the local executive and administrative body in the territory of which the mass event with the use of PI is planned.

For violation of the above-mentioned regulatory legal acts and instructions for the use of pyrotechnic devices, the responsible person may be brought
to justice under Article 23.48 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (KoAP) "Violation of the rules for handling firearms, explosives, flammable, corrosive substances or pyrotechnic products".

For violation of fire safety legislation when using pyrotechnic devices, citizens responsible for this may also be brought to justice in accordance with Part 1 of Article 23.56 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (KoAP) "Violation of fire safety legislation".

For violation of the rules for the use of pyrotechnic devices, which negligently caused grievous bodily harm or less grievous bodily harm, or damage in a large amount, as well as the same act, which negligently caused the death of a person or grievous bodily harm to two or more persons, citizens responsible
for this are brought to criminal liability under Article 299 of the Criminal Code (UK) "Violation of the rules for handling firearms, explosives,

flammable, corrosive substances, or pyrotechnic devices».

The use of pyrotechnic devices in public places of the city, including
in courtyards of residential buildings, may lead to a breach of public order
and citizens' peace, which, in accordance with Article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences, is qualified as petty hooliganism.

If bodily harm is caused or another's property is damaged during the use of pyrotechnic devices, such actions shall be qualified under Part 1 of Article 339 of the Criminal Code "Hooliganism".

In addition, parents or legal guardians, for failure to fulfill their parental duties, which resulted in the commission of an act by a minor containing signs of an administrative offense or crime, but who has not reached the age of administrative or criminal liability for the committed act by the time of its commission, will be held administratively liable in

in accordance
with Article 9.4 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

The attraction of individuals and legal entities to responsibility
for violation of public order when using PI, as well as the introduction of bans on the use of PI in the territory of a certain administrative-territorial unit, is not within the competence of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus of January 4, 2010
No. 108-Z "On Local Government and Self-Government in the Republic of Belarus" and the Law of the Republic of Belarus of July 17, 2007 No. 263-Z
"On the Internal Affairs Bodies of the Republic of Belarus", the protection of public order and ensuring public safety, as well as the prevention, detection, suppression of crimes and administrative offenses are within the competence of executive
and administrative bodies and internal affairs bodies.

According to Article 3.30 of the PI Code of Administrative Offenses, protocols on administrative offenses have the right to be drawn up by authorized
officials:

bodiesinternal affairs (under Articles 9.4,17.1,23.48 of the Code of Administrative Offenses);

bodies exercising state supervision in the field of industrial safety and safety of transportation of dangerous goods
(under Article 23.48 of the Code of Administrative Offenses);

bodiesState Fire Supervision of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus under articles 23.48
(for offenses committed when handling flammable substances and pyrotechnic devices) and 23.56 of the Code of Administrative Offenses);

of the bodies and units for emergency situations (under article23.56 of the Code of Administrative Offenses)».


         The organization and conduct of fireworks during mass events are carried out based on the decision of the head of the local executive and administrative body or their

deputy regarding permission for a mass event in the manner prescribed by the Law of the Republic of Belarus of December 30, 1997 "On Mass Events in the Republic of Belarus" as amended by the Law of the Republic of Belarus of August 7, 2003.

         In cases not related to mass events, fireworks are carried out on the basis of written permission from the head of the organization (object) on whose territory the fireworks are carried out.

         The fireworks contractor using pyrotechnic articles of hazard classes IV and V must have a permit from the State Industrial Supervision Authority for conducting fireworks, issued in accordance with the legislation.

         Preparatory work for the fireworks is carried out in accordance with the plan of measures to ensure technical safety and fire protection, developed by the fireworks contractor.

         An excerpt (plan-scheme) of the fireworks venue is attached to the plan of measures.

         The approved plan of measures must be available to the customer and the fireworks contractor.

         Fireworks shall not be conducted without a plan of measures at the site of preparatory work, as well as if it is not fulfilled or if there are deviations from the requirements of the "Safety Rules for the Production and Use of Pyrotechnic Devices" approved by Resolution No. 32 of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated October 4, 2004.

         The following are prohibited locations for fireworks:

territories, buildings, structures, and constructions whose technical condition does not ensure the safety of citizens;

locations near hazardous and harmful production facilities and objects, as well as transport hubs;

bridges, overpasses, transport arteries, railway rights-of-way, oil, gas, and product pipelines, and high-voltage power lines, fire and explosion hazardous objects;

territories immediately adjacent to hospital buildings and children's institutions;

territories of objects of significant moral and cultural value, historical and cultural monuments,cemeteries and religious buildings, nature reserves, sanctuaries, and national parks, places of pilgrimage.

         Upon completion of the preparatory work before the fireworks display, the display supervisor must verify the extent to which security measures have been implemented, ensure the absence of unauthorized persons in the protected zone, and only then, at the appointed time, proceed with the display.

         During the fireworks display, the brigade personnel must remain at a safe distance from the launch installations, in a sheltered area.

         After the fireworks display is completed, the launch site must be thoroughly inspected by the performers and cleared of any unexploded devices and components.

         Fire safety measures and cordoning off of the launch site may be terminated by order of the fireworks supervisor only after the display has concluded and a thorough check has confirmed the complete absence of non-combustible items and components that could pose a fire hazard.

         Following a fireworks display using pyrotechnic devices of hazard classes IV-V, an act (in triplicate) shall be compiled regarding its execution and consequences. This act shall be signed by the fireworks display supervisor and the customer's representative, and if necessary, byrepresentatives of internal affairs bodies and the territorial body of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS

 

The sale of pyrotechnic products of hazard classes I-II (according to the classification of pyrotechnic products) is permitted in shops and pavilions with a sales area; class III products are permitted only in specialized shops, departments (sections) for the sale of pyrotechnic products. The sale of pyrotechnic products to persons under the age of 15 is strictly prohibited in the Republic of Belarus.

When pyrotechnic products are displayed in the sales area, they are arranged in a way that prevents the customer from having direct access to these products. Products stored at the point of sale must be kept in cabinets or safes made of non-combustible materials.

As of February 15, 2012, the technical regulations of the Customs Union "On the safety of pyrotechnic products" (TR CU 006/2011) came into force, according to which pyrotechnic products are subject to mandatory confirmation of compliance with the requirements of the technical regulations in the form of declaration of conformity or certification.

When purchasing pyrotechnic products, the buyer has the right to demand that the seller present a certificate of conformity to the requirements of the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union “On the Safety of Pyrotechnic Products” (TR CU 006/2011).

Do not buy firecrackers, rockets, or fireworks from random street vendors! Products that have not undergone certification pose a significant danger.

When purchasing pyrotechnics, it is essential to check for the presence of operating instructions, which must be in Russian or Belarusian.

It should be noted that each pyrotechnic product must have (or be accompanied by) marking indicating the following information:

hazard class (I, II, III);

name and location of the manufacturer of the pyrotechnic article (supplier and/or importer);

designation of standards or other documents in accordance with which the pyrotechnic article is manufactured;

expiration date;

list of hazardous factors and hazardous zone dimensions;

requirements for safe storage and disposal of pyrotechnic products;

information on the conformity of pyrotechnic products with the requirements of the Customs Union Technical Regulation "On the Safety of Pyrotechnic Products" (TR CU 006/2011).

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SAFE USE OF PYROTECHNIC PRODUCTS

 

To avoid becoming a victim of an accident, it should be remembered that the use of pyrotechnic products in buildings (structures) is prohibited, and fireworks displays and the use of pyrotechnic products are not allowed on the territory of recreation centers and children's health camps.

When launching rockets or fireworks outdoors, it is necessary to observe the elementary safety requirements set forth in the instructions for use.

Basic requirements for the safe launch of pyrotechnic devices:

place the device on a level surface, no closer than 30 m from people, buildings, trees, roads;

uncover and straighten the fuse;

take measures to prevent the device from tipping over during operation;

light the end of the fuse on the leeward side at arm's length (without bending over the device) and immediately move away to a safe distance with your back to the device.

If the fuse goes out or burns out, and the battery does not start working, you should:

1) wait at least 15 minutes;

2) Approach the battery and inspect the product externally to ensure there are no smoldering parts;

3) Once you are completely sure there are no smoldering parts, wrap the battery in packaging and return it to the seller for further disposal, or dispose of it yourself with household waste after soaking it in water for at least 24 hours.

If the fireworks did not launch on the first try, never attempt to try again!

Do not use pyrotechnics in winds exceeding 15 m/s.

Abandon the idea of modifying or dismantling the product.

Do not carry pyrotechnics in pockets, do not store them without a cap.

 

And most importantly – do not aim rockets and fireworks at people!