County inspects Prince William fireworks stands

The Fourth of July is one of those holidays that seems to just fly by for Sarah Marks.

This is the second year the school teacher has worked at one of 28 roadside fireworks stands in Prince William County.

The one where she works, which is operated by a Manassas company, is near the corner of Hoadly Road and Prince William Parkway in Dale City.

“There are people lined up here on the third and the fourth, but the day after, on the fifth, everything on these shelves behind me will be gone,” said Marks.

Working at a fireworks stand is a good way for Marks to make some extra cash while school is out for the summer.

But Prince William County Fire Marshal Matt Greenfield’s full-time job is to make sure the fireworks sold at these stands are legal.

He is a member of a team of inspectors from the county’s Department of Fire and Rescue who check the stands to make sure they, and the fireworks sold there, comply with state and county safety codes.

Greenfield checks to see if the “no smoking” signs are posted every 10 feet along the stand. He makes sure there is no trash or debris near the stand that could easily catch fire.

He also checks to see if the stand may be selling fireworks that may have been banned in Prince William County, like the ones that shoot into the air, explode or ones that emit a spark or flame more than 12 feet.

“People usually don’t have a problem with the firework stand. It’s us that they usually have a problem with, because we don’t allow certain types of fireworks. But I think the public does have a positive perception of us because we do inspect the stands,” said Greenfield.

Greenfield said it isn’t hard to get into the fireworks business.

Most dealers contact a distributor, like TNT, and tell them they want to sell their products.

“The distributor brings out the tent or drops off the stand, delivers the product and all the person has to do is front the money,” said Greenfield.

When the stand is set up, the dealer then must get a $500 permit from the fire marshal’s office and a solicitation permit from the police department, among other clearances, said Greenfield.

Then they can begin selling fireworks.

The list of permissible fireworks in the county is not very long compared to some other states. It includes sparklers, fountains, Pharaoh’s serpents, caps for pistols and pinwheels — commonly known as whirligigs — and spinning jennies.

Even firecrackers are banned in Prince William County.

But county fire officials point to data from the Virginia Fire Incident Reporting System as a good reason to leave those explosives on the banned list.

In past four years, just one person was injured by fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday. Additionally, five were injured by fireworks during other times of the year.

No one in Virginia died because of a fireworks-related injuries during that time.

But during the same time, the state has seen nearly $1 million in fire damage or loss from fireworks, according to the VFIRS stats.

Marks’ stand was cited for a few minor infractions. She was told to clean up some cardboard boxes that were on the ground close to the fireworks stand.
She was also told to post more “no smoking” signs.

“I know it seems like we are being a little overzealous, but it really is too late when someone walks up to the tent while smoking a cigar. They’re already exposed to all of those fireworks,” said Greenfield.

Staff writer Uriah A. Kiser can be reached at 703-878-8065.