5608.6.4 Control panel for firework displays.
FC § 5608.6.4
Control panels used to conduct firework displays shall be designed, installed and operated as follows: 1. The control panel and all related equipment, including any junction boxes, shall be located within the display site, at least 50 feet (15 240 mm) from the discharge site, with a clear line of sight to the discharge site.
2.A protective barrier capable of withstanding the impact of falling debris or a misfired shell and made of or covered with a fire-retardant material shall be provided between the control panel and the discharge site and above the control panel. Such protective barrier shall be of sufficient size to protect the control panel and all persons who will be positioned at the control panel during the fireworks display, including at least one department representative.
3.The control panel shall be provided with a double safety switch to prevent premature activation of current to the shells, such as combination of keys or single throw switches connected in series, both of which must be activated for current to flow.
4.Each switch on the control panel, including testing and firing controls, shall be clearly marked to indicate its function. The control panel shall be equipped with an indicator, such as a light, a sound device, or both, to indicate when the control panel is armed for firing.
5.If the control panel has a built-in test circuit, the unit shall be designed to limit the test current to 0.05 ampere or to 20 percent of the no-fire current of the electric match being used, whichever is less.
6.Multi-testers, such as volt-ohm meters, shall not be used for testing electric matches unless the tester's maximum current delivery potential has been measured to be not more than 0.05 ampere or 20 percent of the no-fire current of the electric match being used, whichever is less.
7.Control panels shall be powered by batteries or isolated power supplies used for firing purposes only. If batteries are used, they shall be self-contained in the firing unit or otherwise covered or protected to prevent accidental contact with wires leading to the fireworks. Control panels powered by commercial power may be used, provided that an isolation transformer is used. The transformer shall be located within the firing unit or elsewhere in the firing system.
