The
Explosives Act sets out the requirements and guidelines for activities involving all
explosives including the use of Fireworks. For Consumer Fireworks, the Act and Regulations
dictate when a license is required and requirements for the sale, display and storage of
Consumer Fireworks.
Consequences for Not Following Federal Regulations?
Responsibility rests with the retailers to ensure that the sale of Consumer Fireworks is in
accordance with the Explosives Act and its Regulations.
Under Section 21 (1) of the Explosives Act, every person who personally or by an agent sells
Consumer Fireworks contrary to the Regulations is guilty of an offence punishable on the summary
or by indictment and is liable.
Inspectors may enter and inspect any place in which Fireworks are being stored, transported
or used; they may open and inspect any room, container or package.
Only Fireworks authorized pursuant to the
Explosives Regulations may be
imported into or manufactured, transported, sold, possessed or used in Canada.
Contraband items such as Cherry Bombs, Snaps, Silver Salutes, M-80 salutes,
Flash Crackers, Throwdown Torpedoes, Cigarette Loads, Trick Matches and all
trick Fireworks are prohibited.
The List of Authorized Explosives is published on the ERD website at Authorized Explosives
To verify if a Firework article is authorized for sale in Canada:
- Is the Firework intended for indoor use?
- Is the Firework a hand held Firework (excluding sparklers)?
- Is the Fireworks meant to be self-propelled from the ground into the air using an unpredictable flight path?
- Is the Firework designed to explode violently?
- Has the Firework had a history of injury related to use?
I you answered
YES to any of the above, the Firework is not likely authorized for sale in Canada.
Fireworks shold not be transported in the passenger compartment of a vehicle.
They should be transported in the trunk. Accelerants such as gas must not be
carried in the trunk with Fireworks.
The maximum quantity that can be transported in passenger vehicles is 75 kg.
For transporting quantities greater than 150 kg in non-passenger vehicles,
refer to the TDG (Transport of Dangerous Goods, Transport Canada) for appropriate
transport requirements.
Storage
A building and its storage units may store up to 1000 kg of Consumer Fireworks provided it is detached from a dwelling and the building or a portion of it is;
- Secure from unauthorized access when both open and closed for business.
- Constructed using non-sparking materials.
- Constructed so that it protects the contents from weather and has adequate ventillation.
- Kept clean, dry, organized and free of grit.
- Used exclusively for Fireworks storage
Displaying Consumer Fireworks for Sale
Consumer Fireworks on display must be separated into lots not exceeding 25 kg.
The separation must be sufficient to prevent fire from spreading rapidly from
lot to the next and may consist of:
- an aisle with a minimum width of 1.2 metres.
- a 6 mm plywood partition that extends 15 cm above the height of the lot
or to the display shelf above.
Fireworks must be kept away from accelerants and not exposed to sun or excess heat.
Fireworks on display must be in Consumer packs or locked up in a display case.
Fireworks not in packs or locked away must be inaccessible to the public. Customers
are not permitted to handle any Firework article which are not in Consumer packs
until they have been purchased.
No person shall knowingly sell any Consumer Firework to a person who is under
18 yrs of age and does not produce evidence that they are of age.
You MUST ask anyone who appears to be less than 18 yrs of age for Government Issued Photo ID.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
- Proof of Age - Check for date of birth
- Photo - Ensure the photo matches the purchaser
- Government Issued Card - Ensure the card is government issued, Driver's Licence, Passport, etc.
Employees
- I.D. everyone who appears to be under 18
- Familiarize yourself with acceptable forms of I.D. and how to check it
- Watch out for fake I.D.
- If in doubt - DO NOT SELL
- You can be charged if you sell to anyone under the age of 18. The clerk,
store owner or corporation can also be charged.
- Know how to handle complaints
- Tell customers you are obeying the law
FAMILY PACKS
Various assortments of packaged Consumer Fireworks. Each pack/kit may include
different fireworks so be sure to check the pack for the types of fireworks you
are looking for.
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BLOCK PARTY PACKS
Much the same as Family Packs, Block Party Packs contain a larger quantity and
possibly a larger assortment of fireworks. These packs are designed to entertain
a large number of people.
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ROMAN CANDLES
Roman candles are a traditional type of firework which ejects one or more stars or exploding shells.
Roman candles come in a variety of sizes, from small 6 mm (1/4") diameter for consumers, and up to
8 cm (3") diameter in professional fireworks displays. Video Here
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SPECIALTY BOMBETTES
These fireworks resemble Roman candles but contain effects such as "buzzers" or
"whistles", "bees" or "screamers" and more along with coloured stars. Video Here
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BRAZILIAN SHELLS
In general Brazilian Shells are single shot items and considered High Level fireworks.
They can contain a single effect such as a "Peony Burst" or multiple effects all in one shell. Video Here
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CAKES / MULTI-SHOT CAKES
Cakes fireworks range in size from a few shots in one firework to 100 shots or more
contained in one firework. Cakes are generally used as High Level fireworks and work
well when used as a finale piece either alone or with other fireworks. Video Here
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BARRAGES
As the name implies, this type of firework shoots a Barrage of different effects or
shots from a long tube. They can range from as few as 10 shots to as many as 99
shots all in one firework. Video Here
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TUBE TYPE ITEMS
Also referred to as Mortar Type fireworks these items generally fire one shell burst
which may contain one to many effects such as "Floral bursts", "Comets", "Mines" and others. Video Here
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WHEELS / PIN WHEELS
Wheels are fun items generally nailed to a post (Never a tree or building). They are
designed to spin in circles while emitting sparks. Some contain "Screamers/Whistles" as well. Video Here
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FOUNTAINS
Fountains are considered low-level or ground-level fireworks. They can contain one or
many colours of sparks along with whistles or screamers. Many enthusiasts use Fountains
at the beginning of a display for their colorful displays of bright sparks. Video Here
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NOISEMAKERS
Noisemakers are smaller fireworks usually containing only one shot. They can be noise
only items or noise and bursts. Generally they are added to a fireworks display to
increase the noise level while other fireworks are going off. Video Here
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SPARKLERS
Usually Sparklers are used before a Fireworks Display to entertain children of ALL ages.
They come in a variety of sizes and sparkle brightly when lit. They make a great "Beginning Act"
for any Fireworks Display. |
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