DATE: May 1, 2008
TO: Fireworks Wholesalers
FROM: Fairfax County Fire Marshal
SUBJECT: Wholesale Fireworks
This letter serves as a reminder to prospective
fireworks wholesellers about the requirements for selling
permissible fireworks to any retailer located in Fairfax County
and the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna, Virginia.
Permit Required
In accordance with Section 3308.2.3 of the Fairfax County
Fire Prevention Code, any person, firm, or corporation desiring
to sell or supply permissible fireworks to any fireworks retailer
must first obtain a Fire Prevention Code Permit (FPCP) from
the County Fire Marshal. This permit shall be valid only for
the period June 1 to July 15 of a single year. The fee for
this permit is $600. FPCP
Application
Wholesaler
Section 3302.1 of the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code
defines "Wholesaler" as any person, firm or corporation
offering fireworks for sale or selling fireworks to a retailer.
Such term also includes a manufacturer of fireworks, a representative
of any such manufacturer, a distributor, a jobber and a middleman
of any description dealing in fireworks, any of whom shall
sell or offer to sell fireworks to a retailer within the County.
Insurance Required
An FPCP shall be issued only after the permit applicant files
with the Fire Marshal a certificate of insurance which shows
that the applicant has liability insurance in the amount of
at least $5,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury
and property damage. This insurance policy shall become available
for the payment of any damage arising from the acts or omissions
of the applicant, his agents or his employees in connection
with the activities authorized by the permit. The applicant
shall ensure that the insurance policy is in effect at the
time of the commencement of the activities authorized by the
permit, and remains continuously in effect until such activities
are completed.
Records
Section 3308.11.3 of the Fairfax County Fire Prevention Code
requires that each wholesaler shall maintain full and complete
records of all purchases and sales of fireworks. The County
Fire Marshal or his designated agent is authorized to examine
the books and records of any wholesaler as they relate to
the purchases and sales of fireworks within the County.
Approval of Permissible Fireworks
The 2008 Approved Permissible Fireworks List contains a complete
inventory of permissible fireworks approved by the Fairfax
County Fire Marshal for sales in the County. This list may
be retrieved from our web site. 2008
Approved Permissible Fireworks List
WARNING: No wholesaler shall sell
or deliver in Fairfax County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon,
and Vienna any fireworks other than those so approved by the
County Fire Marshal. Thank you for you cooperation in this
process.
Important Note: A wholesale fireworks
permit does not apply to retail sales of approved permissible
fireworks. Any person, firm or corporation desiring to sell,
offer for sale, or expose for sale any amount of approved
permissible fireworks in a retail setting such as an approved
fireworks stand or mercantile occupancy located within Fairfax
County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna must
first obtain a Fire Prevention Code Permit (FPCP) from the
County Fire Marshal. See more detailed information about the
sale and use of approved permissible fireworks in the code
compliance guideline Retail
Sale & Use of Approved Permissible Fireworks.
Any questions regarding this permit requirement,
the permit application process, or the approval process for
permissible fireworks, please feel free to contact us at 703-246-4849.
