(A) The state fire marshal may inspect the premises, and the inventory, wholesale sale, and retail sale records, of a licensed wholesaler of fireworks during the wholesaler’s period of licensure to determine whether the wholesaler is in compliance with Chapter 3743 of the Revised Code and the rules adopted by the state fire marshal pursuant to section 3743.18 or 3743.22 of the Revised Code.

Terms Used In Ohio Code 3743.21

  • Fireworks: means any composition or device prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, deflagration, or detonation, except ordinary matches and except as provided in section 3743. See Ohio Code 3743.01
  • in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • licensed wholesaler: means a person licensed pursuant to sections 3743. See Ohio Code 3743.01
  • List of licensed wholesalers: means the list required by division (C) of section 3743. See Ohio Code 3743.01
  • state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59

(B) If the state fire marshal determines during an inspection conducted pursuant to division (A) of this section that a wholesaler is not in compliance with Chapter 3743 of the Revised Code or the rules adopted by the state fire marshal pursuant to section 3743.18 or 3743.22 of the Revised Code, the state fire marshal may take one or more of the following actions, whichever the state fire marshal considers appropriate under the circumstances:

(1) Order, in writing, the wholesaler to eliminate, correct, or otherwise remedy the nonconformities within a specified period of time;

(2) Order, in writing, the wholesaler to immediately cease its operations, if a fire or explosion hazard exists that reasonably can be regarded as posing an imminent danger of death or serious physical harm to persons. The order shall be effective until the nonconformities are eliminated, corrected, or otherwise remedied or for a period of seventy-two hours from the time of issuance, whichever first occurs. During the seventy-two hour period, the state fire marshal may obtain from the court of common pleas of Franklin county or of the county in which the premises of the wholesaler are located an injunction restraining the wholesaler from continuing its operations after the seventy-two hour period expires until the nonconformities are eliminated, corrected, or otherwise remedied.

(3) Suspend, revoke, or deny renewal of, the license of the wholesaler in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code;

(4) Take action as authorized by section 3743.68 of the Revised Code.

(C) This section does not affect the authority conferred by Chapters 3781. and 3791. of the Revised Code to conduct inspections to determine conformity with those chapters or the rules adopted pursuant to them.

(D) If the license of a wholesaler of fireworks is suspended or revoked or if renewal is denied pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section or section 3743.70 of the Revised Code, the wholesaler shall cease its operations immediately. The wholesaler may not reapply for licensure as a wholesaler of fireworks until two years expire from the date of revocation.

The state fire marshal shall remove from the list of licensed wholesalers the name of a wholesaler whose license has been revoked, and shall notify the law enforcement authorities for the political subdivision in which the wholesaler’s premises are located, of the suspension, revocation, or denial of renewal.

Last updated July 1, 2022 at 4:05 AM