Sec. 2154.253. USE OF FLAME EFFECTS OR PYROTECHNICS

(a) Definitions. In this section:

(1) "Authority having jurisdiction" means the fire marshal of a political subdivision. If the political subdivision has no fire marshal, the chief executive of the local fire protection district or emergency services district shall be the authority having jurisdiction. The state fire marshal or the state fire marshal's designee shall be the authority having jurisdiction if the political subdivision has no fire marshal, local fire protection district, or emergency services district.

(2) "Flame effects" means a stationary or hand-held device of solid, liquid, or gas, designed specifically to produce an open flame when ignited to display a thermal, physical, visual, or audible phenomenon as defined in NFPA Standard 160. Such devices include paraffin wax candles, LPG candles, torches, and LPG burners.

(3) "NFPA Standard 1126" means the edition of the National Fire Protection Association, Standard 1126, "Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics before a Proximate Audience," as adopted and amended by the commissioner.

(4) "NFPA Standard 160" means the edition of the National Fire Protection Association, Standard 160, "Standard for Flame Effects Before an Audience," as adopted and amended by the commissioner.

(5) "Pyrotechnics" means an explosive composition or device designed for entertainment to produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation as defined by NFPA Standard 1126.

(b) The use of flame effects or pyrotechnics for entertainment, exhibition, demonstration, or simulation before an assembly of 50 people or more, except for public safety demonstrations, must comply with NFPA Standard 160 and NFPA Standard 1126 and the following standards and requirements:

(1) if flame effects or pyrotechnics are used inside a building, the building must contain a complete operational fire-sprinkler system or provide personnel to implement a standby fire watch acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction;

(2) before flame effects or pyrotechnics are used inside a building, an announcement to the assembly must be made giving verbal instruction regarding the location and use of available exits and information about the building fire protection and fire alarm systems; a determination by the authority having jurisdiction that an exit door is locked or obstructed constitutes a violation of this section;

(3) the plan required by NFPA Standard 1126 or NFPA Standard 160 detailing the criteria for use and display of pyrotechnics and flame effects must be provided to the local authority having jurisdiction;

(4) at least one Texas pyrotechnic special effects operator's licensee must be present on-site at all times where pyrotechnics are used, discharged, or ignited;

(5) at least one Texas flame effects operator's licensee must be present on-site at all times where flame effects are used, discharged, or ignited;

(6) the on-site licensee shall be responsible for complying with this section;

(7) the licensee or the licensee's employer must obtain a permit from the local authority having jurisdiction before the use, discharge, or ignition of a flame effect or pyrotechnics; and

(8) the applicant for the permit must provide with the application the evidence of insurance required by Section 2154.207.

(c) The requirements provided by Subsection (b) do not apply to traditional, nontheatrical public displays such as:

(1) use of lighted candles in restaurants or during religious services;

(2) fireplaces in areas open to the public;

(3) restaurant cooking visible to the public;

(4) the outdoor use of consumer fireworks by the general public; or

(5) an outdoor public display permitted under Section 2154.204.

(d) The authority having jurisdiction may adopt regulations governing the issuance of permits for the use of flame effects or pyrotechnics and may charge a fee to recover its costs.

(e) A person commits an offense if the person violates this section. An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. Each day a violation occurs or continues constitutes a separate offense. Venue under this section is in the county in which the offense is committed or in Travis County.

(f) A municipal or county ordinance, order, or rule in effect on September 1, 2003, is not invalidated by this chapter.

(g) This section does not limit or restrict the authority of a county, where specifically authorized by law, or municipality to enact an ordinance or order prohibiting or further regulating flame effects or pyrotechnics.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 872, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.