Western Pyrotechnic Association
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Rule 5 of 9

Salutes and Bottom Shots

The firing of salutes must follow guidelines. It's best to shoot salutes earlier, but refer to the policy. Multi-break shells with bottom shots during salute hours. Display companies exempt. For exceptions, get approval from one(1) WPA board member and Safety Chair, and notify Manufacturing Chair in advance on the application for risk-based placement.

WPA Event Salute/Bottom Shot Policy

Hawthorne:

In deference to our host town, Hawthorne, including school age children, pets and people who don’t love it so loud, please note the following policy for salutes and bottom shots on multi-break shells:

  1. On Tuesday through Thursday (school nights), there will be no salutes fired after 8:30 PM. Friday and Saturday nights, salutes may be fired up until 10:00 PM and NO LATER.
  2. Muti-break shells with bottom shots should be fired during salute hours.Exceptions must be approved by the safety chair
  3. For salute manufacturing that exceeds the above guidelines, you will need the approval of one (1) WPA board member (preferably at least one who is seasoned in manufacturing) and the Safety Chair. You will also need to notify the manufacturing chair before the event of your intent to build salutes on the manufacturing application. This will allow them to place you in the correct area on-site based on risk assessment.

For questions regarding this policy, contact event chair, 

Havasu:

    • All salutes manufactured on site must follow manufacturing guidelines
    • On Tuesday through Thursday (school nights), there will be no salutes fired after 9:00 PM
    • On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be no salutes fired after 9:30 PM.
    • Muti-break shells with bottom shots should be fired during salute hours.  Exceptions must be approved by the safety chair

These rules do not apply to display companies.  For salute manufacturing that exceeds the above guidelines, you will need the approval of one (1) WPA board member (preferably at least one who is seasoned in manufacturing) and the Safety Chair.  You will also need to notify the manufacturing chair before the event of your intent to build salutes on the manufacturing application. This will allow them to place you in the correct area on-site based on risk assessment.

For questions regarding this policy, contact event chair

Last updated Nov 1, 2026Version 1

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