How To Get a Temporary Firecracker License

In and around the festive season, the roads that you commonly pass by everyday will suddenly have something big and vibrant that catches your eye – a banner depicting a fireworks business.

The explosion of spark and colour on those large flex sheets bring about a feeling of nostalgia as you recall your childhood, or as we call them – the good old days. A small temporary shed with metal sheets and wooden poles holding it together and a couple of people sitting in plastic chairs paints a familiar picture in our minds when you think of a shop that sells firecrackers.

Types of Firecracker Licenses

The license to sell fireworks can be either a temporary license or a permanent license. The Explosives Act, 1884 and the Explosives Rules, 2008 govern all the activities related to the sale of fireworks. Where the plan is to sell amorces and sparklers limited to a quantity of 100 kgs overall, there is no need for a firecracker license. Care should be taken to see that all the safety protocol laid down by the Explosives Rules are followed.

The types of firecracker license are as follows:

Temporary License

The temporary licenses are usually granted by the respective District Deputy Commissioner of Police. The specified limit for the same is selling 600 kgs of fireworks including:-

• Class 7 – Division 2 – Subdivision 2 – Manufactured Fireworks → 100 kgs
• Chinese crackers or sparklers → 500 kgs

Permanent License

The permanent licenses are usually granted by the Additional Commissioner of Police. These licenses will be granted only if the shop is located on a commercial street or in a commercial complex as per the Master Plan of the city.

Documents Required to Obtain a Temporary Firecracker License

The original documents must be accompanied by copies of the same wherever there is a necessity for the same. The following documents are necessary to obtain a temporary firecrackers license:-

• Form 4 (Application for grant of license to possess and sell explosives).
• Proof of Identity and Proof of Address along with passport-sized photos.
• Affidavit duly notarised.
• A site plan duly designed by a registered architect.
• Proof of ownership of the place of business.
• Where the place of business is on rent/lease, NOC from the owner.
• Four photographs (5×7 inches) of the premises from four different directions depicting that adequate space between the surrounding shops and structures are maintained.
• The road approaching the shop, the neighbouring structures and shops, the electrical wiring work and other necessary details should be depicted in the site plan.
• Any other documents as may be required to be submitted along with the application form duly mentioned in the checklist.

Criteria for Obtaining a Temporary Firecracker License

• General Pointers-
  • Location – a commercial street or in a commercial complex
  • Floor area – Between 9-25 square metres
  • Applicant – must have completed 18 years of age and must be of sound mind.
  • Road – Firefighting accessibility, the road itself at least 6 metres in terms of width.
• Pucca Shop.
• Temporary Sheds.

Temporary Firecracker License Application Procedure

The application procedure below is specific to the offline application only:-

• The applicant who is desirous of obtaining a temporary license may approach the Deputy Commissioner’s office along with the necessary documents in order to speed up the process.
• The applicant should first ensure that he/she is eligible to apply for the license.
• The application, along with the supporting documents, needs to be submitted to the authorities.
• In addition to the documents, the prescribed fees will also need to be paid to the authorities at the time of submitting the application.
• Upon scrutiny of the application, if necessary, further inquiries and police verification may be granted.
• Once the authorities find the application satisfactory in all respects, the authorities may choose to grant the temporary firecracker license.