MONROE - During the recent Fourth of July holiday weekend, city officials say, they found temporary fireworks stands that had no fire extinguishers, and another that was using a 400-foot extension cord for power.
A city alderman even reported seeing an open-flame grill near a fireworks stand.
As a result, fireworks stands will meet stricter enforcement of state fire codes next year, according to the city's Public Safety Committee.
During a Tuesday meeting of the committee, Fire Chief Daryl Rausch requested that operators of temporary firework stands provide plans and information about their stands as part of the city building permit and inspection process.
Currently, erecting temporary firework stands, typically tents, require a simple building permit.
But Rausch said such stands do not even meet the safety standards the city now requires of beer-garden tents. "They're just popping up with 5,000 pounds of fireworks in them," he said.
Firework tents, normally situated in parking lots, are also not protected from traffic, he added.
Rausch told the committee that local store managers informed him that they have no control over the tents because firework stand owners are given a temporary lease and permission by corporate offices to set up in the local store parking lots.
The new regulations are not intended to push firework stands out of the city, said Rausch, but to ensure state fire code standards are met.
The committee directed Rausch to provide forms and a permitting process at the next meeting.
A city alderman even reported seeing an open-flame grill near a fireworks stand.
As a result, fireworks stands will meet stricter enforcement of state fire codes next year, according to the city's Public Safety Committee.
During a Tuesday meeting of the committee, Fire Chief Daryl Rausch requested that operators of temporary firework stands provide plans and information about their stands as part of the city building permit and inspection process.
Currently, erecting temporary firework stands, typically tents, require a simple building permit.
But Rausch said such stands do not even meet the safety standards the city now requires of beer-garden tents. "They're just popping up with 5,000 pounds of fireworks in them," he said.
Firework tents, normally situated in parking lots, are also not protected from traffic, he added.
Rausch told the committee that local store managers informed him that they have no control over the tents because firework stand owners are given a temporary lease and permission by corporate offices to set up in the local store parking lots.
The new regulations are not intended to push firework stands out of the city, said Rausch, but to ensure state fire code standards are met.
The committee directed Rausch to provide forms and a permitting process at the next meeting.