TITLE
Vote on a request to approve Pyrotechnic display at the Chatham Charter School located at 2200 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City, NC on October 8, 2022.
ABSTRACT
Action Requested:
Vote on a request to approve Pyrotechnic display at the Chatham Charter School located at 2200 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City, NC on October 8, 2022.
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. Ms. Tara Locklin, Hale Artificier Inc., has submitted a letter of request (Attachment #B) to conduct a Pyrotechnic display at the Chatham Charter School located at 2200 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City, NC on October 8, 2022. The actual display operator conducting the displays will be Mr. Gary L. Nunn, Hale Artificier, Inc., 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. Ms. Tara Locklin, Hale Artificier Inc., has provided the required documentation for review which includes a copy of Mr. Gary L. Nunn, Hale Artificier Inc., NC Pyrotechnic Display Operators License (Attachment #C), Certificate of Insurance (Attachment #D), and an ATF License/Permit (Attachment #E). Ms. Tara Locklin 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. Ms. Tara Locklin 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 Siler City 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:
Vote on a request to approve Pyrotechnic display at the Chatham Charter School located at 2200 Hamp Stone Road, Siler City, NC on October 8, 2022.