Pretoria – Law-abiding residents can help ensure a safer festive season by reporting unlawful fireworks use and disturbances to the City of Tshwane’s law enforcement units.
To report such anomalies residents can call the following numbers:
- Disturbance of peace: Metro Police at 012 358 7095/6
- Fire hazard at premises: Emergency Services at 012 310 6300/6400 or 012 310 6200 during office hours (08:00 to 16:00)
- Animals in distress or cruelty to animals: Waltloo or Centurion SPCA at 083 453 3863 or 082 807 5671 respectively
To report any fire or rescue emergency incident, please call 107 toll-free or alternatively call 012 358 6300/6400.
When reporting an emergency:
- Remain calm,
- speak clearly,
- know where you are to give the correct address,
- give your correct contact number so the operator can phone you back should he/she need to do so.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department said: “We would also like to inform all participants that private fireworks displays need to be approved”.
The department said the following requirements must be adhered to before the application will be considered by the Fire Safety Section for the private discharge of fireworks on the premises:
- The area where the fireworks are to be discharged must be at least 100 m from buildings, roads, and railway lines.
- The area where the fireworks are to be discharged must be at least 20 m from telephone lines, telegraph lines, power lines, trees, and overhead obstructions.
- An area extending 50 m from the front and to the sides of the point at which the fireworks are to be discharged is to be clear of persons.
- The area to be kept clear of falling residue that is expected to drop from aerial fireworks must extend for at least 100 m to the rear of the discharge point.
The following are the requirements for such applications:
- A sketch plan (scale 1:500) of the grounds on which the fireworks are to be discharged showing:
- a) The position of the following in relation to the area where the fireworks are to be discharged: – the nearest buildings – the nearest road – the nearest railway line – the nearest telephone lines – the nearest telegraph lines – the nearest power lines – the nearest trees – the nearest refreshment area – the position of the area where the fireworks are stored before discharge
- b) Direction in which the fireworks are to be discharged with special mention of the prevailing wind direction
- c) Spectator area
- d) Area to be kept clear for falling residue expected to drop from the fireworks
- e) Location of all buildings within 200 m from the discharge site
- f) Location of all trees within 200 m from the discharge site
- g) Location of all telephone or telegraph lines within 200 m from the discharge site
- h) Other overhead obstructions at or adjacent to the discharge site
- i) Position of chemical or hazardous substances on the premises
- j) Position of all entrances/exits on the premises
- k) Position of the firefighting equipment on the premises
- l) Position of service stations at or adjacent to the site
- Submit the application form, diagram and letter of approval to the Office of the Chief of Emergency Services.
- Arrange for a fire safety inspection to be carried out on the premises by the Fire Safety Section.
- Be present on the premises during the fire safety inspection.
- Receive written approval/disapproval for the private discharge of fireworks.
Applicants need to apply to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality at:
Chief of Emergency Services
PO Box 440 Pretoria 0001 or
Emergency Services Station 1 (Bosman Street)
Fire Safety Section
Cnr Bosman and Minnaar Street Pretoria
Criteria used for the granting of written approval for the private discharge of fireworks:
- Written approval for the private discharge of fireworks will be given if it takes place on sports fields, agricultural holdings, and other suitable open areas.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department wished the public a happy and safe festive season, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
