California Code of Regulations
Title 19 - Public Safety
Division 1 - State Fire Marshal
Chapter 6 - Fireworks
Article 15 - Public Display
Section 999 - Mortars, Aerial Shells

Universal Citation: 19 CA Code of Regs 999

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) General.

(1) Electric firing shall be required for all mortars eight inches (8") or greater in diameter.

(2) Multiple-break shells that include a salute as one of the breaks shall be fired in HDPE mortars only.

(b) Steel Mortars.

(1) Steel Mortars shall be constructed of commercially manufactured, first quality electric resistance weld (ERW) or drawn over mandrel (DOM) steel tubing conforming to ASTM Standard A135-83, which is incorporated by reference. Mortars constructed of cast iron, other fragmenting types of steel, and all other types of metal are prohibited. Salutes shall not be fired from metallic mortars.

(2) Steel mortars shall have a base plate the same thickness of the mortar wall, welded continuously around its perimeter.

(3) The inside length of steel mortars shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:

Shell Size Inside Length
1.99 inches or less 8 inches
2 inches 13 inches
2 1/2 inches 13 inches
3 inches 15 inches
4 inches 20 inches
5 inches 25 inches
6 inches 30 inches
7 inches 32 inches
8 inches 32 inches
10 inches 40 inches
12 inches 40 inches
16 inches 64 inches
24 inches 96 inches

(4) Mortars shall not have any visible cracks in the body of the tube, nor any cracks or voids in the weld around the base plug. Mortars shall not be dented or distorted beyond the point that such distortion interferes with the smooth and unimpeded travel of the shell throughout the entire length of the mortar.

(c) Paper Mortars.

(1) Reusable paper mortars shall be of spiral or convolute wound kraft paper or chipboard, and shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:

Shell Size Wall Thickness Inside Length Base Plug *
Less than
2 inches 1/8 inch 8 inches 1 inch
2 inches 1/4 inch 13 inches 2 inches
2 1/2 inches 3/8 inch 13 inches 3 inches
3 inches 3/8 inch 15 inches 3 inches
4 inches 1/2 inch 20 inches 3 inches
5 inches 1/2 inch 25 inches 4 inches
6 inches 1/2 inch 30 inches 4 inches
7 inches 3/4 inch 32 inches 4 inches
8 inches 3/4 inch 32 inches 4 inches

* Sizes for base plugs are nominal.

(2) Base plugs for paper mortars shall be wooden and securely glued, as well as nailed, screwed or bolted to the base of the mortar. Base plugs shall be discarded and replaced when damaged. Minor cracks and checks are acceptable.

(3) Multiple-break shells shall not be fired from paper mortars.

(d) HDPE Mortars. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) mortars shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:

Shell Size Wall Thickness Inside Length Base Plug *
Less than 2" 1/8 inch 10 inches 1 inch
2 inches 1/4 inch 13 inches 2 inches
2 1/2 inches 1/4 inch 13 inches 3 inches
3 inches 1/4 inch 15 inches 3 inches
4 inches 1/4 inch 20 inches 3 inches
5 inches 1/4 inch 25 inches 4 inches
6 inches 3/8 inch 30 inches 4 inches
7 inches 3/8 inch 32 inches 4 inches
8 inches 3/8 inch 32 inches 6 inches

* Base plug sizes are nominal.

HDPE Mortars shall not be reloaded for a period of at least one (1) hour after use. All base plugs for HDPE mortars shall be wooden, and securely glued, as well as nailed, screwed, or bolted to the base of the mortar. Base plugs shall be discarded and replaced when damaged. Minor cracks and checks are acceptable.

(e) Other Materials. Recognizing that new materials for the construction of mortars may be developed, such materials may be used when specifically approved by the State Fire Marshal. Persons wishing to use material not specifically covered in this section shall submit the material in an amount sufficient for testing to the State Fire Marshal for determination of its safety and its inclusion in this section.

NOTE: For illustrations of typical mortar racks, troughs and drums, see Diagrams A, B and C following section 1002.

1. Repealer of former section 999 and new section filed 6-26-91 as an emergency; operative 6-26-91 (Register 91, No. 48). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-24-91 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
2. Emergency language repealed by operation of law. Repealer of former section 999 and new section filed 4-14-92; operative 5-14-92 (Register 92, No. 21).

Note: Authority cited: Section 12552, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 12552, Health and Safety Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.