GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING GROUND BASED SPARKLING DEVICE (GBSD) RETAIL SALES FACILITIES

Transcription

1 OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHAL Worcester County GOVERNMENT CENTER - ONE WEST MARKET STREET - ROOM 1003 SNOW HILL, MARYLAND TEL: FAX: GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING GROUND BASED SPARKLING DEVICE (GBSD) RETAIL SALES FACILITIES JEFFREY A. McMAHON WORCESTER COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL JUNE 2002

2 APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE SALE OF GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICES (GBSD) 1. Submit site plan illustrating the interior building proposed sales area of GBSD. 2. Complete a Fire Marshal s application plan review form. 3. Plan review and inspection fee s shall be paid at the time of site plan and plan review form submission. 4. Obtain Fire Marshal approval prior to stocking retail sales area with GBSD. 5. Post all necessary signage per the Worcester County guidelines for inspecting GBSD at retail sales facilities. 6. Schedule a Fire Marshal s inspection (requires a minimum 48 hours notice). 7. Satisfactorily pass a Fire Marshal s inspection for GBSD. 8. Satisfactorily provide written documentation of training for personnel handling GBSD to include safe handling instructions, emergency procedures and the use of portable fire extinguishers. 9. Be subject to routine follow-up inspections. FEE SCHEDULE Class A Mercantile (Over 30,000 square feet) $ Class B Mercantile (3,000 to 30,000 square feet) $75.00 Class C Mercantile (Under 3,000 square feet) $50.00

3 1.) 2.) 3.) 4.) 5.) 6.) 7.) 8.) 9.) 10.) 11.) 12.) 13.) 14.) 15.) 16.) 17.) 18.) Yes GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING "GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICE" (GBSD) RETAIL SALES FACILITIES No Are all the fireworks items offered for sale approved by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal and the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office and prepackaged to completely encapsulate the product and its fuse to prevent tampering with the device or its fuse? Does the building meet all requirements of the NFPA Life Safety Code for a Mercantile Occupancy (Ordinary Hazard)? Does the sales area occupied by the public have at least two exits located remotely? If only one exit is available, is the exit travel distance less than 75 feet? Are all exits and exit aisles clear and readily accessible for egress in case of any emergency? Are all buildings used for sale and storage of GBSD limited to one story and without a basement? (Note: Incidental storage of fireworks may be permitted in basements or second floor storage areas at the discretion of the AHJ.) Are all GBSD sales and storage facilities located at least 100 feet from flammable liquid, flammable gas, or combustible liquid fuel dispensing equipment or above ground storage tank? (Exception: Facilities with 5% or less of their gross floor sales area for GBSD shall be not less than 50 feet.) Is all storage of GBSD secured to prevent unauthorized access by the public and located from direct sunlight? (Note: Storage refers to inventory of GBSD that is not on display for the general public and not under constant supervision by an attendant.) If the building is exclusively used for the sale of GBSD and it is more than 3,000 square feet in area, is the building protected by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system? If the building is used for the sale of general merchandise, is the sales area devoted to the sale of GBSD limited to not more than 5% of the gross sales floor area? Is the display of GBSD on shelves, counters and other fixtures limited to a height of 6 feet above the floor, and 12 feet along the perimeter wall, and not less than 18 inches below the ceiling? Is an approved portable fire extinguisher of at least 4A rating (Minimum 10 lbs. multi-purpose dry chemical type extinguisher) provided and located within 75 feet of travel distance? Are all required exit doors arranged to swing in the direction of egress? (Exception: Class C Mercantile Occupancies with less than 3,000 square foot sales area.) Are all required exit doors equipped with panic hardware? (Exception: Class C Mercantile Occupancies with less than 3,000 square foot sales area.) Are all required exit doors unlocked during operations? Is all smoking and use of open flame devices prohibited inside the facility or within 50 feet of the GBSD sales facility? (Note: Open flame devices refer to only lit candles and devices; it does not refer to unlit cigarette lighters.) Does all electrical wiring appear to be in accordance with the National Electric Code? No GBSD Shall be ignited, discharged or otherwise used within 100 feet of a GBSD facility. Is there an approved access for fire apparatus within 150 feet of the exterior of the GBSD facility?

4 19.) 20.) 21.) 22.) Yes GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING "GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICE" (GBSD) RETAIL SALES FACILITIES (CONT.) No Are all heating units approved an used in accordance with the listing of an approved testing laboratory? Is there at least one adult person ( 18 years or older ) present at all times when open for business and responsible for supervision of the facility and its operations? All personnel handling GBSD at least 16 years of age. Have all personnel handling GBSD received safety training regarding safe handling instructions, emergency procedures, and use of portable fire extinguishers? The following signs shall be provided as indicated: 23.) At the entrance to facilities used exclusively for GBSD sales: "PERSONS UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY, AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF, A RESPONSIBLE PERSON OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE. WITHIN THE CITY 24.) At each entrance or in vicinity of GBSD display: "NO GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICE SALES OR DISTRIBUTION TO PERSONS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE. PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED. WITHIN THE CITY 25.) At or in vicinity of GBSD display: WITHIN THE CITY 26.) On the exterior of all GBSD facilities: WITHIN THE CITY (Minimum 2-Inch lettering on contrasting background)

5 GUIDELINES FOR INSPECTING "GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICE" (GBSD) RETAIL SALES FACILITIES The following signs shall be provided as indicated: At the entrance to facilities used exclusively for GBSD sales: "PERSONS UNDER 16 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY, AND UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF, A RESPONSIBLE PERSON OF AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE. At each entrance or in vicinity of GBSD display: "NO GROUND-BASED SPARKLING DEVICE SALES OR DISTRIBUTION TO PERSONS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE. PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED. At or in vicinity of GBSD display: On the exterior of all GBSD facilities: (Minimum 2-Inch lettering on contrasting background)

6 Plan Review #: Date Received: ( Fire Marshal Use Only ) APPLICATION FOR PLAN REVIEW Please complete the following and submit to the Worcester County Fire Marshal s Office along with one set of complete construction plants in order to initate the plan review process. DO NOT SUBMIT BUILDING PERMIT WITH PLANS. APPLICANT ** CONTRACTOR ARCHITECT / ENGINEER PROJECT ** Date plans submitted for review: Signature of Applicant or Representative Date ** Shaded areas must be filled out completely to process this application