XN000022-1993-03-03 — Page 7

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1993

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CONTROLLED USE OF PYROTECHNICS APPROVED

THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT PYROTECHNICS MAY BE USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MOTION PICTURES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES AND FOR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE SECRETARY FOR

RECREATION AND CULTURE HAS ESTABLISHED EARLIER AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING CONTROLLED USE OF PYROTECHNICS AND TO WORK OUT A

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.

TWO SETS OF GUIDELINES HAVE NOW BEEN DRAWN UP, ONE FOR MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION COMPANIES AND THE OTHER FOR THE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH THE RELEVANT INDUSTRIES.

THESE GUIDELINES ARE DRAWN UP HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED OF THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAFETY OF THE FILMING CREW AND PERFORMERS.

UNDER THE GUIDELINES, APPLICATIONS FROM REGISTERED TV, FILMING COMPANIES, PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE INSTITUTES OR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE GROUPS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

FOR THE

THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE IS RESPONSIBLE ISSUING PERMITS FOR THE DISCHARGE OF PYROTECHNICS ON LAND, WHILE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IS THE PERMIT ISSUING AUTHORITY FOR PYROTECHNICS DISCHARGED ON OR OVER THE WATERS OF HONG KONG.

DISCHARGE OF PYROTECHNICS WILL BE ALLOWED SUBJECT TO ANY CONDITIONS WHICH MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE AUTHORITY, UPON CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES AND COMMISSIONER OF MINES.

THE

ARE

APPLICATION ΤΟ USE PYROTECHNICS MAY BE APPROVED IF LICENSING AUTHORITY IS SATISFIED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THERE ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD, THAT THERE IS NO DISTURBANCE OR INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AND THAT ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE IS TAKEN OUT.

THE PYROTECHNICS MUST RE DISCHARGED BY A PYROTECHNICIAN REGISTERED WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF MINES.

FOR REGISTRATION, THE PYROTECHNICIAN WILL BE REQUIRED

TO DEMONSTRATE THAT HE POSSESSES PROVEN RELEVANT EXPERIENCE IN THE PRODUCTION OF PYROTECHNIC EFFECTS, KNOWLEDGE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE USAGE OF PYROTECHNICS AND KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL REGULATIONS ON DANGEROUS GOODS.

PERMITS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF MINES FOR THE STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE OF THE PYROTECHNICS.

/"TELEVISION AND