PHILIPSBURG–The Fire Department announced on Tuesday a limit on the type of consumer fireworks to be sold and lighted at this year’s end of 2017 celebrations. The decision was made in in consultation with the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI.
“This decision was taken in the interest of general safety of the districts and is based upon the assessment of both the Fire Department and Ministry of VROMI which shows that there are still many exposed roofs and buildings with tarpaulins,” according to the Fire Department statement via the Government Department of Communication DComm.
Roofs and buildings are less protected against fireworks that have an effect above ground level, making fireworks like skyrockets or Roman candles landing on a roof have a considerable chance of causing fire.
Limiting the sales or lighting of fireworks with an effect above five metres is to prevent those affected most by Hurricane Irma from ending up losing their belongings to fire.
Prime Minister Rafael Boasman decided based on the Fire Department’s advice to not allow the import, sales and lighting of consumer fireworks that have an effect higher than five metres above the ground.
These limitations are not for consumer fireworks with effect up to five metres high, like firecrackers and fountains, that meet the requirements of the Fireworks Ordinance AB2013, GT no 18.
Allowed also are professional fireworks, which are lit by certified pyro-technicians in an area that is an approved safety distance away from any building.
The Fire Department has informed the relevant stakeholders that applied for import and sales permits on or beforehand about the advised limitations and is awaiting their adjusted lists of consumer fireworks they want to import and sell in the period of December 29-31.
The Fire Department and the police plan to be vigilant to ensure that all fireworks activities at the closing of 2017 take place according to the granted permits and in a safe manner.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/72020-fire-department-limits-fireworks-sales-due-to-public-safety-concerns
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