NFPA 1123, Code for Fireworks Display: Helping Mitigate Risks

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NFPA 1123, Code for Fireworks Display: Helping Mitigate Risks
Edward Kaminski, Clark County Fire Department Glenn Dean, Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office

There have been several incidents at fireworks displays in recent years that have impacted audience safety. Adherence to NFPA 1123, Code for Fireworks Displays, can help avoid such incidents. This presentation will review the key requirements in NFPA 1123 that can mitigate risks at fireworks displays through proper site planning, display setup and operation and adequate separation distances. Other issues and variables such as firing methods, limited access displays, mortar rack installation and construction, angling of mortars, elevated platforms, floating barges, and trailers will also be discussed.

Presented by:

Edward Kaminski, Clark County Fire Department
Ed Kaminski has been a Fire Protection Engineer with Clark County Building and Fire Prevention since 2008. He reviews exhibition and trade show operators in Las Vegas. Ed is a member of the Technical Committee on Pyrotechnics. Prior to joining the public industry, Ed was a consulting engineer in the private industry for 22 years and was at UL for six years. He completed two 10-year cycles as Chair of technical committees. He is the Director of Training for the Southern Nevada Chapter of the ICC and does in-house training work. Ed has a BS in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and an MS in Engineering Management from Northwestern University. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in six states.

Glenn Dean, Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office
Glenn Dean is Chair of NFPA's Pyrotechnics Technical Committee and has over 45 years' fire service experience at the local and state government level. He began as a fire fighter in Petersburg, VA, rose through the ranks to Assistant Chief, and took the responsibility of becoming the city's first fully-fledged Fire Marshal. Subsequently, after occupying a newly-created position with the VA Fire Marshal's Office, he began his state service by facilitating the promulgation of a minimum statewide fire prevention code. Aside from his continued involvement in updates to the fire code, his current responsibilities include representing the state in the promulgation of national model codes and standards, including NFPA 1123, and the management and oversight of the state's Blaster and Pyrotechnician Certification Program.