Heartland Pyrotechnic Arts Association
Open Shoot Safety Guidelines
Due to the nature of our club and our activities, safety has to be our number one priority. Failure to follow the safety guidelines or a safety officer's instructions can result in being removed from the firing lines, being asked to leave the shoot, suspension or loss of membership depending on the severity of the offense.
1. Safety officers have authority over the firing lines and any activities pertaining to the use of fireworks. safety officer's instructions must be followed.
2. A safety officer must be present on the firing lines anytime fireworks are to be lit. If no safety officer is present the firing lines are to be considered closed.
3. All people who wish to participate in open shooting must check in with the safety officer first. The safety officer must approve the fireworks you are planning to light and your methods of setting them up before you are allowed to set up or light anything.
4. If you see an unsafe practice SPEAK UP! Safety is everyone's responsibility. You are required to report any unsafe acts to the safety officer or a board member.
5. Fireworks must only be discharged on the proper firing line, or an area designated by the safety officer.
6. All shoot site device limits are to be strictly adhered to.
7. Holding or throwing lit fireworks is strictly prohibited.
8. All cakes, candles, racks, single shots, etc. must be secured in a way to prevent tipping or firing towards spectator areas. Racks shall be positioned perpendicular to spectator areas. Mortar racks shall be secured with wood end boards. Any stakes used to secure fireworks with breaking effects shall be made of wood.
9. Mortar racks shall be constructed using wood and be in good condition. Metal racks such as CraigCo style will be allowed for non-breaking effects such as proline mines or comets. Milk crate racks are not allowed.
10. Mortars shall be made only of paper, fiberglass, or HDPE only. Steel mortars are not allowed.
11. Salutes 4” and larger or any other type of shell 8” and larger shall be buried in a drum of sand or staked as a single shot with adequate space between the shell and other fireworks.
12. All ground salutes shall be suspended off of the ground.
13. Member-built or modified items shall be E-fired or lit using an extended delay fuse that allows for an easy retreat to a safe distance.
14. You must notify everyone on the firing lines of your intention to light any item that you have built or modified before lighting it.
15. All duds or misfires must be reported with their location to the safety officer. Do not approach or pick up any duds or misfired items.
16. Safety glasses and closed toe shoes are REQUIRED on the firing lines. It is recommended that you don’t wear synthetic clothing on the firing line. Hearing protection and hard hats are also encouraged.
17. Any non consumer fireworks on the firing line are required to be in a ready box during open shooting times. Only remove one firework at a time from a ready box to load or set up during open shoot times.
18. People under the influence of any mind altering substances (such as alcohol or prescription drugs) are not allowed on the firing lines.
Heartland Pyrotechnic Arts Association
On-site Building Safety Guidelines
Due to the nature of our club and our activities, safety has to be our number one priority. Failure to follow the safety guidelines or a safety officer's instructions can result in being removed from the building area, being asked to leave the event, suspension or loss of membership depending on the severity of the offense.
1. All on-site building can only be done only during designated building events.
2. Fireworks must only be built in the proper designated area.
3. A safety officer must be present in the building area anytime fireworks are to be built. If no safety officer is present, building is to be considered closed. Safety officers have authority over the building areas and any activities pertaining to the building of fireworks. safety officer's instructions must be followed.
4. The safety officer must approve the fireworks you are planning to build and your work area before you are allowed to start.
5. If you see an unsafe practice SPEAK UP! Safety is everyone's responsibility. You are required to report any unsafe acts to the safety officer or a board member.
6. No smoking, generators, or open flames within 100’ of any building areas.
7. All building areas must be outdoors, covered, and protected from direct sunlight.
8. Building areas must be free of any spark hazards and unnecessary electronics.
9. Flash shall only be made in the binary method.
10. All device limits shall be strictly adhered to.
11. Building areas must be kept clean with good house keeping practices. All spills must be cleaned up as soon as they happen.
12. Live materials and chemicals in the building area must be kept to the absolute minimum required for the current task. While not in use, chemicals and live materials must be safely stored to help minimize accidents if they happen.
13. Non synthetic clothing and all relevant PPE shall be worn and used while in the building areas.
14. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in or around the building area. Opened or unopened.
15. Builders may not consume any substances that may impair their judgment before participating in building.