8.42.010 Definitions.
In this chapter, the definition of “fireworks” includes any:
A. Combustible or explosive composition or any substance producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation;
B. Blank cartridges, toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes or toy guns in which explosives are used;
C. Roman candles, daygo bombs, or any other fireworks of like construction which contain any explosives or flammable compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance;
D. The term “fireworks” shall not include sky lanterns, road flares or novelties.
1. Sky lanterns are an airborne lantern typically made of paper with a wood frame containing a candle, fuel cell composed of waxy flammable material or other open flame which serves as a source to heat the air inside of the lantern to cause it to lift into the air including “sky candles,” “air paper lanterns,” “Chinese lanterns,” and other similar devices designed to be levitated by open flame and released into the air uncontrolled.
2. Road flares (fusee) are a type of flare which burns for 10 to 60 minutes with a bright red light. Road flares are commonly used to indicate obstacles or advise caution on roadways at night; in this usage, they are also called highway flares, traffic flares, or ground flares. They are commonly found in roadside emergency kits.
3. Novelties are a device containing small amounts of pyrotechnic and/or explosive composition. Such devices produce limited visible or audible effects. Authorized novelties in the city limits of Palmer are listed below.
a. Party poppers are a small device with paper or plastic exteriors that are actuated by means of friction (a string or trigger is typically pulled to actuate the device). They frequently resemble champagne bottles or toy pistols in shape. Upon activation, the device expels flame-resistant paper streamers, confetti, or other novelties and produces a small report. Devices may contain not more than 16 mg (0.25 grains) of explosive composition, which is limited to potassium chlorate and red phosphorus.
b. Snappers are a small, paper-wrapped device containing not more than 1.0 mg of silver fulminate coated on small bits of sand or gravel. When dropped, the device explodes, producing a small report.
c. Toy caps are for toy pistols in sheets, strips, rolls, or individual caps, containing not more than an average of 0.25 grains (16 mg) of explosive composition per cap. Toy caps are described as Toy Caps NA0337 and classed as 1.4S. (Ord. 17-006 § 3, 2017; Ord. 09-025 § 3, 2009)