While the 4 th of July has passed, there are still many questions regarding guidelines, use or misuse of fireworks and pyrotechnic devices within our area. The information that follows is being supplied as a guide to help insure any fireworks sales, purchases, possession and use are in compliance with the Michigan Fireworks Law (Michigan Penal Code, Act 256 or 2011, as amended, MCL 28.451 28.471). Please know that it is legal to sell (some sales do require permitting by the State), possess and use consumer fireworks within the State of Michigan. Consumer Fireworks are defined by the law and as referenced by the APA standard 87-1. This law also addresses low-impact and novelty fireworks. Some examples of consumer, low-impact and novelty fireworks within the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) standard are: LEGAL CONSUMER FIREWORKS (No permit required) Comet (or Mine) - A cylinder containing a star and attached to a wooden base. Upon ignition, the star is thrust 50-100 feet in the air and continues to glow as it falls to the ground. Firecracker - A small noisemaking cylinder up to 1.5" in length, often strung together with a fuse. Bottle Rockets - A cylinder, frequently topped by a cone to stabilize its flight, attached to a long stick. Roman Candles - A 6-12" tube containing alternating layers of compacted black powder that shoots single stars out of the top when lighted Wheel-type Device - A firework that spins or twirls is a "wheel" and thus is neither a cylindrical fountain" nor a "cone fountain." LOW IMPACT FIREWORKS (No permit required) Sparklers - containing no more than.0125 pounds of burning portion per sparkler. Flitter sparklers - in paper tubes not exceeding 1/8 inch in diameter. Cone and cylinder fountains - emits showers of sparks. NOVELTY FIREWORKS (No permit required) Flat paper caps - containing not more than.25 of a grain of explosive content per cap. Toy noise makers - toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes, toy trick noise makers, toy guns where paper caps are used. Toy snakes - not containing mercury and packed no more than 12 per box. Toy smoke devices. EXAMPLES OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS/EXPLOSIVES IN MICHIGAN (THIS LIST IS NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE) Cherry Bomb - A small red sphere approximately 1" in diameter. M-80 - Up to 2" in length, usually a red cylinder with a fuse coming out the side. This is not a firework; it is a federally banned explosive. Silver Salute (M-100) - A silver cylinder with a fuse coming out of the side containing large quantities of flash powder. This is not a firework; it is a federally banned explosive. M-250 and M-1000 (quarter-stick) - Large versions of the M-80 and M-100 that have extremely high risk factors for crippling and disfiguring injuries. This is not a firework; it is a federally banned explosive. The Michigan Fireworks Law does not change the rules or regulations for display fireworks. Display fireworks require a permit from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to possess and use. These types of fireworks are not legal to the public. Jurisdictional and or local permits are also required for the use of display fireworks. A list of approved and permitted shows for the West Bloomfield and Tri-City area is attached. Some prohibitions of the Michigan Fireworks Law, P.A. 256 include: - MCL 28.462 sec.12(2). Consumer fireworks shall not be sold to a minor. - MCL 28.462 sec.12(1). A person shall not ignite, discharge or use consumer fireworks on: public property, school property, church property or the property of another person without expressed permission. This rule is inclusive of the debris or fall-out from aerial shells falling on another persons property. - MCL 28.462 sec. 12(3). An individual shall not use consumer fireworks or low-impact fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. The law also allows the local units of government to restrict the use of fireworks to specific times
and days; fireworks can be used during the times of 8:00 am to 24:00 hrs (midnight) on the day before, the day of, and the day after a national holiday. The cities of Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and the Charter Township of West Bloomfield have exercised this option, enacting the days and time limitations indicated above into ordinance. Our local fireworks ordinance also bans the use of any sky lanterns or wish lanterns (unmanned hot air balloons). As fireworks are inherently dangerous, the Fire Department continues to advocate and recommend that the safest way to enjoy fireworks during holidays is to watch a professional display. If you have any questions about or need assistance with fireworks, please contact the West Bloomfield Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at 248-409-1505.
The following is a list of shows in the West Bloomfield Fire Department jurisdiction that were approved: 2014 Fireworks Shows (if needed rain date) June 14 Cass Lake Jonna Property June 28 Orchard Lake Country Club (June 29) July 3 Union Lake (July 12) Pine Lake Country Club (July 4) Sylvan Lake (July 12) July 4 - Cancelled Benson Ford Property (Walnut Lake) (July 5) July 5
Green Lake Association (July 6) Shady Beach Improvement Assoc. Upper Straits Lake (July 6) July 12 Orchard Lake August 18 Temple Shir Shalom (August 19) September 27 Orchard Lake
Fireworks Examples