The 125th Maine
Legislature has enacted Public Law, Chapter 416 ""An
Act to Legalize the Sale,
Possession and Use of Fireworks."
If you are interested in obtaining a license to sell consumer fireworks
in Maine
please take a moment to consider some of the basic requirements
listed below.
This law becomes effective January 1, 2012. Accordingly, no inspections shall be conducted and no licenses issued until that time.
· You must be
21 years of age or older to obtain a license to sell fireworks in
Maine.
·
You must have
a federal permit to sell fireworks under Title 18 United States Code, Section 843.
·
You may also
need a local permit to sell in any given town. (Check to see if the sale of
consumer fireworks is allowed in the town where you plan to operate. Some towns may not allow the sale of these
devices nor their use).
·
You can only
sell consumer fireworks in a permanent, fixed, stand-alone building dedicated
solely to the sale of consumer fireworks.
- Be sure to check with appropriate code officials from the community in which you are planning to sell fireworks. A permit may be required and if it is, the Fire Marshal's Office will want a copy during the application process.
- It is highly recommended that you consult with an architect prior to building a new consumer fireworks sales facility building or before you remodel another building into a consumer fireworks sales facility to ensure that you are in compliance with NFPA 1124, Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, Retail Sales of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles, 2006 edition, section 7.3.3., and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, chapter 36 for new mercantile occupancies. Plans for any new mercantile occupancy ( a fireworks sales facility) exceeding 3000 Sq. ft. must be reviewed by the Fire Marshal's Office. If you have questions about your facility we encourage you to call the number below. If you require a plans review we urge you to submit your architectural drawings well in advance of when you wish to be permitted. Our plans reviewers work on a first come first serve basis and it may take weeks before your plans can be reviewed.
- SPECIAL NOTICE: In accordance with Title 10, Part 14, Chapter 1103, Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code, the Technical Building Codes and Standards Board met and voted unanimously to resolve the sprinkler requirement conflict between the fire code and the building code by requiring all consumer fireworks retail sales facilities to be fully sprinkled regardless of the size or age of the facility. However, the MUBEC will not require all facilities licensed to sell fireworks in Maine to have an NFPA 13 sprinkler system. There are alternatives, for more information please contact our office.
These are just some of the requirements you need to
consider before developing your business plan. For more information on
licensing fees, building, storage and handling requirements in addition to
prohibited acts, insurance, liability and other restrictions please take a
moment to few the links to the documents below.
The Fire Marshal's Office is currently considering proposed rules for the licensure of retail fireworks facilities in Maine.
See contact information below for more information.
Since the sale of consumer fireworks in Maine is new to all of
us, we ask that you be patient while we carefully plan and implement all
aspects of the law and subsequent rules and regulations. The Fire Marshal's Office wants this to work
for Maine. We'd like to see new businesses and jobs
created as a result of this law but most importantly however, we want to do
this as safely as possible. We do not
want to see an increase in fireworks related fires or injuries and we are
relying on those who sell these products to make sure the purchasing public is
aware of the inherent dangers and proper procedures for use. We also hope the public will listen to
licensed sales staff and exercise considerable caution when using consumer
fireworks.
Application Materials
Application to Sell Consumer Fireworks
Application Checklist
Municipal Permit to Sell Consumer Fireworks
Illegal Consumer Fireworks
Under Chapter 416, "An Act to Legalize the Sale, Use, and Possession of Fireworks" the following products are illegal to sell, use, or possess in Maine.
- Missile Type Rockets. A device similar to a sky rocket in size, composition, and effect that uses fins rather than a stick for guidance and stability. Missiles shall not contain more than 20 grams of total chemical composition.
- Helicopters and Aerial Spinners. A tube containing more than 20 grams of chemical composition, with a propeller blade attached. Upon ignition the rapidly spinning device rises into the air. A visible or audible effect may be produced at or near the height of flight.
- Sky Rockets and Bottle Rockets. Cylindrical tube containing not more than 20 grams of chemical composition as prescribed under section 3.7 and Table 4.3-1 of the American Pyrotechnics Association Standard 87-1 with a wooden stick attached for guidance and stability. Rockets rise into the air upon ignition. A burst of color and/or sound may be produced at or near the height of flight.
Federally Banned Explosives
Richard E. Taylor, Senior Research and Planning Analyst 
Office of the State Fire Marshal
52 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 626-3873
e-mail: Richard.e.taylor@maine.gov
(or)
Timothy D. Fuller, Inspector
Office of the State Fire Marshal
52 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 626-3888
e-mail: Timothy.D.Fuller@maine.gov
