11.09 / Pyrotechnics

1. Display Operator License: A license held by qualified persons who operate outdoor fireworks displays and issued by the Office of Kansas State Fire Marshal in accordance with K.A.R. 22-6-24.
2. Event Sponsor: Any individual or group seeking to host an outdoor event involving the use of a Fireworks Display and/or a Pyrotechnic Special Effect.
3. Fireworks Display: a private or public production of display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic, or both, which are intended for use and designed to produce visible or audible effects for entertainment purposes by combustion, deflagration, or detonation.
4. Pyrotechnic Special Effect: An effect where a chemical mixture is used to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation.
5. University: Wichita State University and its controlled affiliate organizations.
6. University Premises: University Premises includes University owned land, buildings and vehicles; buildings and land leased by the University from an affiliated corporation or a third party; and any other property controlled by the University that is set forth by agreement that the University may restrict access. University Premises may change from time to time, but they are designated annually in the University’s Annual Security Report and on its website here.

Request Permission for any Event from the University Fire Safety Office

1. Thirty (30) days prior to any proposed exterior event on University Premises involving a Fireworks Display or Pyrotechnical Special Effects, the Event Sponsor must contact the University Fire Safety Office via telephone at (316) 978-5531/ 5803 to discuss any fireworks or pyrotechnic details and the proposed location of such an event.
2. Within five (5) days of the initial verbal contact, the Event Sponsor must submit a written description and graphic overview of the event, including required clearances and safety zones, to the University Fire Safety Office, Campus Box 23, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0023, or via email to fire.safety@wichita.edu.
   1. The Event Sponsor must also provide the name, address, email, and telephone number of the person(s) or company who will be handling the fireworks or pyrotechnics for the event.
   2. Only trained, certified and licensed pyrotechnic personnel may be used to discharge a Fireworks Display or any Pyrotechnic Special Effects. A current State of Kansas Display Operator License issued by the State Fire Marshal’s Office is required and a copy must be supplied to the University Fire Safety Office at the time the event sponsor submits copies of its City of Wichita permit pursuant to the procedure in Section V.B. 2, 3.
   3. The Event Sponsor must also designate and provide the name(s) of person(s) who will ensure compliance with all rules, regulations and procedures as outlined in this policy, as well as all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations.
3. The University Fire Safety Office will review any written submissions and provide a preliminary decision in writing to the Event Sponsor generally within five (5) days, but within time for the Event Sponsor to obtain any required City of Wichita approvals and permits if the University Fire Office approves the event.

Obtaining Required City of Wichita Site Inspection, Event Approval, and Permit

1. Upon receipt of event approval from the University Fire Safety Office, the Event Sponsor must contact the Wichita Fire Department at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event at (316) 268-4441 or email WichitaFire@wichita.gov to schedule a site inspection and purchase a permit.
2. Once the event is approved by the City of Wichita, the Event Sponsor must send a copy of the permit to the University Fire Safety Office, Campus Box 23, 1845 Fairmount Street, Wichita, KS 67260-0023, or via email to fire.safety@wichita.edu.
3. The permit must be received by the University Fire Safety Office not less than 5 calendar days prior to the event, or the event is subject to cancellation.
4. No event involving Fireworks Displays or Pyrotechnic Special Effects will be allowed on University Premises unless the appropriate approval and permit issued by the City of Wichita is timely received prior to the event by the University Fire Safety Office.

Requirements at the Fireworks or Pyrotechnic Event

1. The Event Sponsor must ensure that the event has sufficient staff as required to support it, including staff for fire watches, fire alarm monitoring, and crowd control.
2. The Event Sponsor must ensure that adequate fire extinguishing or fire-fighting equipment is available on-site in the event of fire and must coordinate with local fire officials for emergency standby.
3. The Event Sponsor shall be responsible for providing an adequate number of staff to monitor the perimeter of the approved discharge site and potential landing areas immediately prior to and during the firing, and until the area is declared safe by the display operator.
4. The Event Sponsor must ensure that clean-up of the fireworks area after the event is acceptable to the University.

1. Code 1123—Code for Fireworks Display
2. Code 1124—Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, and Storage of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles.
3. Standard 1126—Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience