LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH CENTER
File #: 24-5147    Version: 1
Type: Agenda Item Status: Passed
File created: 2/23/2024 In control: Fire Marshal
On agenda: 3/18/2024 Final action: 3/18/2024
Title: Vote to approve pyrotechnic display for the Briar Chapel Community Association located at 176 Boulder Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC on June 29, 2024
Attachments: 1. Attachment A-N.C.G.S 14-410 and 14-413, 2. Attachment B- Letter of Request Briar Chapel 2024, 3. Attachment C-NC Pyrotechnic Display Operators License, 4. Attachment D- Moncourtois Certificate of Insurance 2024, 5. Attachment E- Moncourtois ATF License 2023, 6. Attachment F-Site Plan Briar Chapel 2024

TITLE

Vote to approve pyrotechnic display for the Briar Chapel Community Association located at 176 Boulder Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC on June 29, 2024

 

ABSTRACT

 

Action Requested:

Vote to approve Pyrotechnic display the Briar Chapel community Association located at 176 Boulder Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC on June 29, 2024.

 

Introduction & Background:

North Carolina General Statute 14-410 and 14-413 (Attachment #A) requires that pyrotechnic displays be pre-approved by the County Board of Commissioners that the display is to be conducted in. Mr. Christopher Moncourtois, Class “A” Fireworks, has submitted a letter of request (Attachment #B) to conduct a Pyrotechnic display at the Briar Chapel community Association located at 176 Boulder Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC on June 29, 2024. The actual display operator conducting the displays will Mr. Christopher Moncourtois, Class “A” Fireworks, who is a NC Licensed Pyrotechnics Display Operator.

 

Discussion & Analysis:

Due to the dangerous nature and tragedy at Ocracoke, NC involving pyrotechnics, the State of North Carolina enacted strict requirements including the licensing of Pyrotechnic Display Operators. Mr. Christopher Moncourtois, Class “A” Fireworks, has provided the required documentation for review which includes a copy of his NC Pyrotechnic Display Operators License (Attachment #C), Certificate of Insurance (Attachment #D), and an ATF License/Permit (Attachment #E). Mr. Moncourtois also submitted a drawing of the areas denoting the required distances from the spectators and structures (Attachment #F and #G). The sizes and types of pyrotechnics to be used were reviewed.  Mr. Moncourtois has met the applicable requirements of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1123 Fireworks and Explosives. Once notice is received that the County Board of Commissioners has approved the events, the pyrotechnics company representative will be contacted to advise them of the approval and request that they please stay abreast of the conditions at the display sites as the events draws near. If dry and/or windy conditions appear to pose an increased risk to life or property, a Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will request that the operator contact the firm and/or persons that they have contracted with and advise them of the same.

 

A Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will also contact the company and/or person and advise them of the same. In the event that conditions continue to exist that pose and elevated and/or increased risk to lives and property due to fire and it is determined that the event may need to be cancelled, the Chatham County Fire Marshal’s Office representative will contact the pyrotechnic company representative and the firm and/or person they have contracted with within a minimum of forty eight (48) hours prior to the event and advise them of the same. In accordance with the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code an inspection of the display area will be conducted by a Certified NC Fire Prevention Inspector of the Chatham County Fire Marshal's Office prior to the actual display. A piece of fire apparatus and personnel from the North Chatham Fire Department will be on-site before, during, and after the display. The Pyrotechnics display may be delayed and or cancelled if weather and/or atmospheric conditions deem the activity to be unsafe. The Chatham County Fire Marshal will conduct a post display inspection of the display areas.   

 

Recommendation:

Motion to approve pyrotechnic display for the Briar Chapel Community Association located at 176 Boulder Point Rd, Chapel Hill, NC on June 29, 2024.