Fireworks Defined CGS 29-356
Means and includes any combustible or explosive composition prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation and includes: firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, torpedoes, etc. Also included are snappers, champagne poppers, smoke bombs, snakes, etc. Exception-paper caps w/less than .025 grains of explosive material. (May be in plastic holders)
Sparklers and Fountains defined PA 06-177
Sparkler-Wire or stick coated with pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition. 100 gram maximum each. Fountain-Any cardboard or heavy paper cone or cylindrical tube containing pyrotechnic mixture that upon ignition produces a shower of colored sparks or smoke. Includes spike, base or handle fountain, 100 gram maximum each fountain, 2 or more fountains on same base, total pyrotechnic mixture cannot exceed 200 grams combined. A person 16 years or older may sell, purchase, use, or
possess with intent to sell sparklers and fountains. OUTDOOR USE ONLY!
Indoor use requires Special Effect permit issued by the CSP/OSFM.
Pyrotechnic devices
such as Picolo Pete that shoot sustained flames or produce pyrotechnic effects beyond showers of sparks or smoke DO NOT FALL UNDER THE CLASSIFICATION or DEFINITION OF SPARKLERS AND ARE ILLEGAL.
Attorney General’s Office guidance-the predominant effect must be showers of sparks.
Sale, Use, Possession of Fireworks Prohibited C.G.S. 29-357
Exceptions:
Wholesale sales by licensed manufacturers or dealers to persons or organizations having obtained a valid permit for a supervised display. Retail sales prohibited. Any sales to out of state residents must be shipped directly out of state in accordance with US DOT regulations. Fireworks must be set up and discharged in accordance with state regulations. Must be discharged and supervised by a CT licensed pyrotechnician.
Illegal possession, use or sale of fireworks in Connecticut is a violation of C.G.S.
29-357 and 29-358-365.
Penalty statute for 29-357 is 29-357 (d) Penalty statute for 29-358-365 is 29-366.
Confiscation and Seizure of fireworks:
All seized fireworks shall be properly transported and stored in an adequate Storage facility. Fireworks should NOT be stored in public/occupied buildings. Contact the East Lyme Police at (860) 739-5900 or The State Police Bomb Squad who can assist local authorities with the transport, storage and disposal of seized fireworks. (860) 456-5850 or (800) 842-0200 (weekends, holidays, furlough days, after hours).
Storage
Sparklers and Fountains are legal for sale, use and distribution in accordance with
29-357; however, storage must comply with applicable sections of the Connecticut Fire Safety and Building Codes.
Fireworks Recognition
Fireworks are classified into two groups:
Division 1.3G (Class B) Display Fireworks
-Larger fireworks normally manufactured for
public displays, i.e. aerial shells, mines, comets, etc. -Manufacture, sale, transport and use is
regulated by Federal AND State agencies. CT requires a pyrotechnician license.
*Show permits granted by CSP/OSFM upon approval of application filed with local authorities.
*Shells range in size from 1.5” to over 12”.
*Can function at ground level, low/high altitudes.
*Fired from unit or multiple units placed in racks, sandboxes, or buried in the ground for larger shells.
*Smaller diameter shells could be discharged from multiple holders held together by a wooden base or cardboard containers known as cakes, barrages, etc.
Division 1.4G (Class C) Common Fireworks
*Type most commonly used by the public.
*Small, limited amounts of pyrotechnic mixture.
*Examples include: bottle rockets, black cats, lady fingers, roman candles, etc.
ALL ARE ILLEGAL IN CONNECTICUT
Novelties and Trick Noisemakers:
*These items are unclassified; however, under Connecticut regulations, they are
Considered fireworks. *Fireworks in this class include small items which produce smoke, ash, or small noise and include snap poppers, party poppers, smoke bombs, snakes, etc.
Illegally Manufactured Explosive Devices
*Illegally manufactured explosive devices are frequently referred to as fireworks
Because they look like firecrackers.
*These item are commonly known as; M80s, M100s, M1000s, Cherry Bombs, Quarter
Sticks, Blockbuster, etc.
*These devices are NOT fireworks. They MUST be treated as explosive devices and
are capable of causing sever injury or death. Possession of these devices is a violation of
C.G.S. 29-348, Illegal Possession of Explosives, and/or Manufacture of Bombs,
C.G.S. 53-80a. Both are felony charges.
Note: There are commercially manufactured items that, for marketing purposes, are
made to look like an M-XXX type explosive. They will be clearly marked by the
manufacturer, and not illegally manufactured explosive devices. However, they are
ILLEGAL in Connecticut and are a violation of C.G.S. 29-357.
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