Bensalem, PA Fire Regulations: Fireworks (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice deadline
- 10 days before display, in writing
- Notified agency
- Bensalem Fire Rescue
- Minimum insurance
- $5,000,000 liability, naming Township
- Max fine
- $1,000 per violation per day
- Appeal body
- Bensalem Board of Code Appeals, 20 days
- Code adopted
- International Fire Code 2009, as amended
Summary
Bensalem Township requires anyone holding a fireworks display permit to notify Bensalem Fire Rescue in writing at least ten days before the display and arrange emergency fire protection and apparatus on site throughout the show, under Fire Prevention Code Sec. 102-7(h). Permittees must also carry at least $5,000,000 in liability insurance naming the Township as an insured, per Sec. 102-7(g), enforced by the Director of Building and Planning.
(g)Section 3301.2.4 is hereby deleted in its entirety and is amended to read as follows: 3301.2.4 Insurance. The Permittee shall furnish to the Township proof of a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and acceptable to the Township at is sole discretion. Said policy of insurance shall name the Permittee and Bensalem Township as insureds under said policy. Said policy of insurance shall be in an amount of not less than Five Million ($5,000,000) Dollars for personal injury liability (including death) of any one or more persons arising out of an accident or occurrence and caused by reason of the Permittee's display of use of fireworks or fireworks apparatus ... (h)Section 3308.2.3 is hereby added to this code as follows: 3308.2.3 Notice to Bensalem Fire Rescue. At least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the display or discharge of fireworks, the Permittee shall notify, in writing, Bensalem Fire Rescue, and shall arrange with Bensalem Fire Rescue for emergency fire protection and apparatus to be at the site of said display or discharge during all times of said display or discharge of fireworks.
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 102-6 of the Bensalem Township Code, the Township adopted the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 in full, then amended it at Sec. 102-7 to add local fireworks rules. Sec. 102-7(h) adds IFC Sec. 3308.2.3, Notice to Bensalem Fire Rescue: at least ten days before any fireworks display or discharge, the permittee must notify Bensalem Fire Rescue in writing and arrange for emergency fire protection and apparatus to be on site for the entire display. Sec. 102-7(g) separately rewrites IFC Sec. 3301.2.4 to require the permittee to furnish proof of liability insurance, issued by a carrier authorized in Pennsylvania and acceptable to the Township, naming both the permittee and Bensalem Township as insureds, in an amount of not less than $5,000,000 for personal injury liability including death arising from the display or use of fireworks or fireworks apparatus.
The Director of Building and Planning serves as the Code Official under Sec. 102-6/103.2 and administers the Fire Prevention Code with Bensalem Fire Rescue. Anyone denied a permit or cited for noncompliance may appeal to the Bensalem Board of Code Appeals under Sec. 102-10, filing in writing with the Director of Building and Planning within 20 days of the decision or notice of violation. Because these are amendments layered onto the adopted 2009 IFC rather than a standalone township fireworks code, the display permit itself, along with any state-required approvals, sits outside this section; Sec. 102-7 governs only the local notice, insurance and coordination requirements Bensalem adds on top of the state permitting process.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of this Code or the fireworks amendments, or building or displaying without following an approved plan or directive of Bensalem Fire Rescue or the Building and Planning Department, is a summary offense carrying a fine of up to $1,000 per violation under Sec. 102-11, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate violation. The Township may also treat a violation as a nuisance and recover its abatement costs from the violator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice must a fireworks permittee give Bensalem Township?
What insurance does a Bensalem fireworks permittee need?
What happens if a fireworks permittee skips the notice or insurance requirement?
Who enforces Bensalem's fireworks rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bensalem
How Bensalem compares: Cities Where Fireworks Are Banned or Heavily Restricted·Compare Bensalem to another location·View the Pennsylvania fire regulations overview
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