As I mentioned on the mailing list, I’ve attached a copy of the CA “Fireworks Handbook 2011″ from the CA OSFM web site. It brings together all of the CA laws and regulations covering fireworks (and rockets) in one place.
Here it is: FireworksHandbook2011.pdf
I’m making it my project to go through this 187-page book, identify all of the parts that deal with rocketry of any variety, and annotate what I see as problems with the way it’s currently written, and how I’d like to see it changed. I’ve only just begun, but I’ve attached that document, as well, so you can at least see where I’m headed with it.
Here’s the start of my document: ProblemsWithCurrentLawsAndRegulations.doc
I’d appreciate as much help as I can get with this effort. I’ll be happy to collect all of the suggestions, and combine them all into a single document, but I don’t relish the thought of doing it all by myself (plus, I’m sure that I’ll miss things, and won’t necessarily have the same viewpoint as everyone else, so additional eyes and perspectives will be helpful).
Feel free to email me your suggestions and comments directly, add them as comments to this blog post, or send them to the mailing list. I’ll collect them from wherever they come, and combine them into this one document.
My personal goals and motivations for any re-write of the laws and regulations are:
- Eliminate any and all EXTRA burdens that California imposes on rocketeers, over and above those that exist elsewhere in the country.
- Avoid “hardcoding” limits and technologies based on the current situation. Technologies change, best practices change, and the hobby, as a whole, changes over time. Our laws and regulations have to be flexible. (For instance, if we refer to NFPA codes, we should ALWAYS refer to the current OR LATER EDITION, rather than limiting ourselves just to the current version.)
- Eliminate any and all extra burdens that California imposes upon manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, and retailers, over and above those that exist elsewhere in the country.
- As much as is possible within the regulatory framework, defer to the expertise and authority of the various national rocketry organizations. As one example, rather than requiring the CA OSFM to “classify” all rocket motors as model or high power rocket “engines”, accept certification as model or high power rocket motors by NAR, TRA, or CAR as an alternative. As another, rather than requiring PyroOp/Rockets licensing for HPR flyers, accept NAR/TRA/CAR flyer certification as an alternative.
Cheers,
- Rick Dickinson
