CNFA’s Interim Update: 2018 Bi-annual Newsletter

We hope everyone had an amazing summer!

CNFA has been busy continuing to work hard in creating opportunities for positive change for the industry across the country. Highlighted below are updates and what to watch for in the upcoming months with CNFA.

We wish to welcome all new members joining CNFA and the fireworks community, and  we hope you will engage with us by letting us know how helpful the following information is and what, if anything, else you would like to see included in our next issue.

Announcements

CNFA Annual General Meeting
Spring 2019
The planning has begun for CNFA’s 2019 AGM! We are looking forward to coming together as an association once again. Details on date and location will be shared  in the near future. In the interim, we ask that you participate in our survey so we can offer information and events that address your interests as a CNFA member. Please do so here by October 1st to have it considered. Please send an email to info@cnfa.org by November 1st to have it considered. Thank you.

Annual Metro Vancouver Fireworks Vendor Workshop
October 20th, 2018
Calling all Metro Van fireworks vendors! CNFA is once again hosting a workshop for those selling fireworks in the Metro Vancouver area during the Halloween season. Attendees will have the opportunity to be refreshed on the latest firework sale and use regulations across the region, as well as updated federal regulations for the sale and storage of fireworks. This year’s workshop will also focus on the potential impacts of the upcoming municipal elections on the fireworks industry. To register, please fill out this form and send it to info@cnfa.org.

Halifax Port Storage Update
Even after the moratorium on explosives was lifted by the Halifax Port Authority, regulators informed operators they would still need a magazine storage license at port if a shipped container, at any given point, had to sit on the ground (even while waiting for the container to be transported out of port). CNFA member and president, Rod Cameron, met with regulators on the issue. As a result, containers of Hazard Division 1.4 are now able to stay at the port overnight without a licence if it is stored for under 24 hours. Over 24 hours; permission from an inspector is needed.

Recent Conferences & Events Attended by CNFA

Canadian Explosives Industry Association Conference (CEAEC)
Vancouver, BC, April 2018

CNFA Executive Director, Melanie Sutherland, attended CEAEC’s annual spring conference in Vancouver, BC. At this conference, the association had the opportunity to hear presentations by the Explosives Regulatory Division (ERD) and Transport Canada, as well as continue to build positive relationships with these departments. As a newly allied member of the CEAEC, CNFA can now increase its reach as a voice for members within the larger Canadian fireworks industry.

Takeaways from presentations by Jean-Luc Arpin from the ERD:

General Update on Licencing & Inspections

  • Licenses: X-Magazine, Fireworks (licenses) 2016-2017: 117, 2017-2018- 120
  • 12,000 fireworks certificate holders are currently active in Canada
  • Accidents/incidents reported for fireworks in Canada: 2016-2017: 12, 2017-2018: 7  (If the ERD had any issues with this number, they would explore options to investigate, if they do not it is because it is not a worry at this time.)

Guidelines Update

Key issue: Including QD in the guidelines

  • Reviewed guidelines and made new ones where necessary.
  • Including QD in the guidelines was not retained because if this was changed, 10 other guidelines would have to be changed apparently.

Regulatory Reminders by the ERD

S 196(5); “no unnecessary stop, no longer than necessary and far from where people gather (example. Fully loaded vehicle left site, stopped for an hour to have breakfast, some basic rules like that that aren’t respected) one licenced area to another licenced area, should be no stopping.”

  • Needs to be something in the guidelines on what is the best conduct regarding this.
  • Too many instances of drivers picking up their load of explosives and stopping for long periods of time at truck stops/non-satellite stops.

S 196(7): “maintain 300m distance between vehicles transporting explosives”
S 199(1) “vehicle attendance”
S 198(1) “tracking is required for explosives transports greater than 2000 kg except for MPUs”

Note: vehicle tracking does not apply to consumer fireworks. MPU applies to bulk explosives.

Accident/incident Reporting

Part 9 192(2) damaged or deteriorated explosives – shipper and carrier must not transport damaged explosives unless minister determines that they explosives must be transported to another location.

Part 9 196(6) towed vehicle- The driver of a vehicle transporting explosives must ensure that the vehicle is not towed unless the minister or a police officer directs hat it be towed because of an emergency or breakdown.

Transport Canada TDG Standards and Regulatory Update
All approved at CSA meeting in January.

If employed, TC423 insulation must be made in non-combustible material:

  • Must be non-combustible and inorganic, regardless of flame spread rating;
  • Need not be rigid and may be porous but must be protected from ingress of any spillage (e.g vapour barrier);
  • Material will no longer need ERD approval

Note: Insulation does not apply to transporting consumer fireworks.

Alberta Fire Chief Association (AFCA) Conference
Edmonton, AB, May 2018

CNFA attended the annual AFCA conference and trade show in Edmonton, AB to act as a resource to Fire Rescue chiefs from across Alberta primarily on consumer fireworks. CNFA’s discussions at the conference and trade show revolved around the need for  changes to be made to the Alberta Fire Code (AFC) to provide municipalities with increased autonomy over the regulation of consumer fireworks. The association will continue to provide updates on the progress of these efforts.

Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) Conference
Ottawa, ON, September 2018

CNFA had the chance to meet and discuss consumer fireworks with Fire Chiefs from across Canada, and provide resources and support where required. As a voice for members and the industry, CNFA continues to build positive relationships with Fire Chiefs and the Association.

Upcoming Conferences & Events

2018

Annual Metro Vancouver Fireworks Vendor Workshop
Vancouver, BC, October 2018

Calling all Metro Van fireworks vendors!! CNFA is once again hosting a workshop for those selling fireworks in the Metro Vancouver area during the halloween season. Attendees will have the opportunity to be refreshed on the latest firework sale and use regulations across the region, as well as updated federal regulations for the sale and storage of fireworks. This year’s workshop will also focus on the potential impacts of the upcoming municipal elections on the fireworks industry. All attendees will receive a CNFA Vendor certificate, which alerts local fire departments of their participation and knowledge.

CEAEC Conference
Ottawa, ON, November 2018

CNFA will have the opportunity to  receive updates on new explosives regulation, have a presence and continue to build positive relationships with the Association, ERD and other attendees. If there is a question or concern you would like us to highlight, please submit it to info@c-nfa.org with your contact information.

2019

CNFA Annual General Meeting & Conference
Spring 2019

The planning has begun for CNFA’s 2019 AGM!! We are looking forward to coming together as an association once again. Details on date and location will be shared  in the near future. In the interim, we ask that you participate in our survey so we can offer information and events that address your interests as a CNFA member by emailing info@cnfa.org by October 15th to have it considered. Thank you.

CNFA has submitted a proposal to the ERD requesting an increase in the allowance of unlicensed product from the current 1,000 kg to 2,000 kg. Click here to see the first page summary of the proposal.

Up Next for CNFA

CNFA will be submitting a request to ERD regarding the deregulation, or reclassification of sparklers. For more information or to provide input, please contact us at info@cnfa.org.

The association is now an allied member of the BNQ QD Technical Committee and will be able to submit input for the 2020 revisions of the CAN/BNQ 2901-510 standard previously published in 2015. Benefits of joining the BNQ QD Committee to submit input for 2020 revisions

You ask, we answer! Have a fireworks question? Ask us at info@cnfa.org and look for an answer in our next newsletter

Did you know?

  • At first, fireworks were only orange and white! In the Middle Ages, new colours were achieved by adding different salts. The hardest colour to create is blue!
  • The first recorded fireworks in England were at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486!
  • A record breaking 56,000 firework rockets were launched simultaneously in a spectacular opening to the Plymouth, UK Fireworks Championships by Scientist Roy Lowry!
  • Dreaming about fireworks means that you like to be the centre of attention. It also symbolizes enthusiasm & exhilaration!
  • Queen Elizabeth was so fascinated with fireworks that she created an honorary title, “Fire Master of England”, for the individual who created the best fireworks!
  • The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China!