{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/27-95.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/27-95.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/27-95.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/27-95.html"}],"law_id":85367,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85367,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-95","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1986, c. 429; 1988, cc. 340, 549; 1989, c. 258; 2002, c. 856; 2010, cc. 587, 643; 2019, c. 720; 2025, c. 97.","full_text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Housing and Community Development.\n\t\t“Code provisions” means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code as adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted and promulgated from time to time by such Board.\n\t\t“Counterfeit lighter” means any lighter designed in a way that infringes on the intellectual property rights of any citizen of the United States or any entity that is protected by any federal or state intellectual property law.\n\t\t“Enforcement agency” means the agency or agencies of any local governing body or the State Fire Marshal charged with the administration or enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire Prevention Code” or “Code” means the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire prevention regulation” means any law, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and use of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or other agencies.\n\t\t“Fire Services Board” means the Virginia Fire Services Board as provided for in \u00a7 9.1-202.\n\t\t“Fireworks” means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.\n\t\t“Fireworks operator” or “pyrotechnician” means any person engaged in the design, setup, and firing of any fireworks other than permissible fireworks either inside a building or structure or outdoors.\n\t\t“Inspection warrant” means an order in writing, made in the name of the Commonwealth, signed by any judge or magistrate whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or entered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and to conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Lighter” means any electrical or mechanical device that operates using any type of fuel, including butane or another liquid fuel, and is typically used to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.\n\t\t“Local government” means the governing body of any city, county or town in this Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Permissible fireworks” means any fountains that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than eight seconds.\n\t\t“State Fire Marshal” means the State Fire Marshal as provided for by \u00a7 9.1-206.\n\t\t“Unsafe lighter” means (i) a disposable or refillable lighter used for cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that does not comply with ASTM International standard F400-20, as amended from time to time, or (ii) a lighter used for utilities, grills, or fireplaces or a lighting rod or gas match that does not comply with ASTM International standard F2201-20, as amended from time to time.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305822,"text":"As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Housing and Community Development.\n\t\t“Code provisions” means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code as adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted and promulgated from time to time by such Board.\n\t\t“Counterfeit lighter” means any lighter designed in a way that infringes on the intellectual property rights of any citizen of the United States or any entity that is protected by any federal or state intellectual property law.\n\t\t“Enforcement agency” means the agency or agencies of any local governing body or the State Fire Marshal charged with the administration or enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire Prevention Code” or “Code” means the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire prevention regulation” means any law, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and use of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or other agencies.\n\t\t“Fire Services Board” means the Virginia Fire Services Board as provided for in \u00a7 9.1-202.\n\t\t“Fireworks” means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.\n\t\t“Fireworks operator” or “pyrotechnician” means any person engaged in the design, setup, and firing of any fireworks other than permissible fireworks either inside a building or structure or outdoors.\n\t\t“Inspection warrant” means an order in writing, made in the name of the Commonwealth, signed by any judge or magistrate whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or entered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and to conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Lighter” means any electrical or mechanical device that operates using any type of fuel, including butane or another liquid fuel, and is typically used to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.\n\t\t“Local government” means the governing body of any city, county or town in this Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Permissible fireworks” means any fountains that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than eight seconds.\n\t\t“State Fire Marshal” means the State Fire Marshal as provided for by \u00a7 9.1-206.\n\t\t“Unsafe lighter” means (i) a disposable or refillable lighter used for cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that does not comply with ASTM International standard F400-20, as amended from time to time, or (ii) a lighter used for utilities, grills, or fireplaces or a lighting rod or gas match that does not comply with ASTM International standard F2201-20, as amended from time to time.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15291,"edition_id":1,"name":"Statewide Fire Prevention Code Act","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13504,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:40","permalink":{"id":190515,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15291,"identifier":"9","token":"27\/9","url":"\/27\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13504,"edition_id":1,"name":"Fire Protection","identifier":"27","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:05","permalink":{"id":189965,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13504,"identifier":"27","token":"27","url":"\/27\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":84974,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-100","catch_line":"Violation a misdemeanor","url":"\/27-100\/","token":"27\/9\/27-100","metadata":false},{"id":66307,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-100.1","catch_line":"Seizure and destruction of certain fireworks","url":"\/27-100.1\/","token":"27\/9\/27-100.1","metadata":false},{"id":83983,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-101","catch_line":"Injunction upon application","url":"\/27-101\/","token":"27\/9\/27-101","metadata":false},{"id":65870,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-94","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/27-94\/","token":"27\/9\/27-94","metadata":false},{"id":85367,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-95","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/27-95\/","token":"27\/9\/27-95","metadata":false},{"id":66454,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-96","catch_line":"Statewide standards","url":"\/27-96\/","token":"27\/9\/27-96","metadata":false},{"id":68566,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-96.1","catch_line":"Chapter inapplicable to certain uses of fireworks","url":"\/27-96.1\/","token":"27\/9\/27-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":81709,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions generally","url":"\/27-96.2\/","token":"27\/9\/27-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":68330,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-97","catch_line":"Adoption of Fire Prevention Code","url":"\/27-97\/","token":"27\/9\/27-97","metadata":false},{"id":58211,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-97.1","catch_line":"Reports of stolen explosives","url":"\/27-97.1\/","token":"27\/9\/27-97.1","metadata":false},{"id":61409,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-97.2","catch_line":" Issuance of permit; background investigations","url":"\/27-97.2\/","token":"27\/9\/27-97.2","metadata":false},{"id":73713,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98","catch_line":"Enforcement of Fire Prevention Code; appeals from decisions of local enforcing agencies; inspection of buildings","url":"\/27-98\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98","metadata":false},{"id":86839,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98.1","catch_line":"Inspections of buildings, structures, properties and premises","url":"\/27-98.1\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98.1","metadata":false},{"id":84932,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98.2","catch_line":"Issuance of warrant","url":"\/27-98.2\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98.2","metadata":false},{"id":87483,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98.3","catch_line":"Duration of warrant","url":"\/27-98.3\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98.3","metadata":false},{"id":58342,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98.4","catch_line":"Conduct of inspections, examinations, testing, or collection of samples","url":"\/27-98.4\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98.4","metadata":false},{"id":71112,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-98.5","catch_line":"Review by courts","url":"\/27-98.5\/","token":"27\/9\/27-98.5","metadata":false},{"id":82703,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-99","catch_line":"State buildings","url":"\/27-99\/","token":"27\/9\/27-99","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":65870,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-94","catch_line":"Short title","url":"\/27-94\/","token":"27\/9\/27-94","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66454,"structure_id":15291,"section_number":"27-96","catch_line":"Statewide standards","url":"\/27-96\/","token":"27\/9\/27-96","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/27-95\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 429 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1988, chapters 340 and 549; in 1989, chapter 258; in 2002, chapter 856<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 587<\/a> and 643<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 720<\/a>; in 2025, chapter 97<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56786,"section_number":"18.2-308.2","catch_line":"Possession or transportation of firearms, firearms ammunition, stun weapons, explosives or concealed weapons by convicted felons; penalties; petition for restoration order; when issued","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.2\/"},{"id":82444,"section_number":"18.2-85","catch_line":"Manufacture, possession, use, etc., of fire bombs or explosive materials or devices; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-85\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":70294,"section_number":"9.1-202","catch_line":"Virginia Fire Services Board; membership; terms; compensation","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-202\/"},{"id":81472,"section_number":"9.1-206","catch_line":"State Fire Marshal; qualifications; powers and duties; power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants, and to issue summonses; limitation on authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-206\/"}],"permalink":{"id":190533,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85367,"identifier":"27-95","token":"27\/9\/27-95","url":"\/27-95\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/27-95\/","token":"27\/9\/27-95","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 27-95","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires otherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed to them:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Housing and Community Development.\n\t\t“Code provisions<\/span>” means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code<\/span> as adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted and promulgated from time to time by such Board.\n\t\t“Counterfeit lighter<\/span>” means any lighter designed in a way that infringes on the intellectual property rights of any citizen of the United States or any entity that is protected by any federal or state intellectual property law<\/span>.\n\t\t“Enforcement agency<\/span>” means the agency or agencies of any local governing body or the State Fire Marshal<\/span> charged with the administration or enforcement of the Fire Prevention Code<\/span>.\n\t\t“Fire Prevention Code<\/span>” or “Code” means the Statewide Fire Prevention Code<\/span>.\n\t\t“Fire prevention regulation<\/span>” means any law<\/span>, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance<\/span> or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to safeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from the improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection materials<\/span>, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and use of substances, materials<\/span> and devices, including explosives and blasting agents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the Commonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards<\/span>, bureaus, commissions or other agencies.\n\t\t“Fire Services Board<\/span>” means the Virginia Fire Services Board<\/span> as provided for in \u00a7 9.1-202<\/a>.\n\t\t“Fireworks” means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other substance or object<\/span>, of whatever form or construction, that contains any explosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly known as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally, or fires projectiles into the air.\n\t\t“Fireworks operator<\/span>” or “pyrotechnician<\/span>” means any person engaged in the design, setup, and firing of any fireworks other than permissible fireworks<\/span> either inside a building or structure or outdoors.\n\t\t“Inspection warrant<\/span>” means an order<\/span> in writing, made in the name of the Commonwealth, signed by any judge<\/span> or magistrate<\/span> whose territorial jurisdiction<\/span> encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or entered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and to conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code<\/span>.\n\t\t“Lighter” means any electrical or mechanical device that operates using any type of fuel, including butane or another liquid fuel, and is typically used to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.\n\t\t“Local government<\/span>” means the governing body of any city, county or town in this Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Permissible fireworks<\/span>” means any fountains that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4 feet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39 inches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and sparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce a report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power, (iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous flame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if designed to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side ignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than eight seconds.\n\t\t“State Fire Marshal<\/span>” means the State Fire Marshal<\/span> as provided for by \u00a7 9.1-206<\/a>.\n\t\t“Unsafe lighter<\/span>” means (i) a disposable or refillable lighter used for cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that does not comply with ASTM International standard F400-20, as amended from time to time, or (ii) a lighter used for utilities, grills, or fireplaces or a lighting rod or gas match that does not comply with ASTM International standard F2201-20, as amended from time to time.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 27-95)\n\nAs used in this chapter, unless the context or subject matter requires\notherwise, the following words or terms shall have the meaning herein ascribed\nto them:\n\t\t“Board” means the Board of Housing and Community Development.\n\t\t“Code provisions” means the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code\nas adopted and promulgated by the Board, and the amendments thereof as adopted\nand promulgated from time to time by such Board.\n\t\t“Counterfeit lighter” means any lighter designed in a way that\ninfringes on the intellectual property rights of any citizen of the United\nStates or any entity that is protected by any federal or state intellectual\nproperty law.\n\t\t“Enforcement agency” means the agency or agencies of any local\ngoverning body or the State Fire Marshal charged with the administration or\nenforcement of the Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire Prevention Code” or “Code” means the Statewide\nFire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Fire prevention regulation” means any law, rule, resolution,\nregulation, ordinance or code, general or special, or compilation thereof to\nsafeguard life and property from the hazards of fire or explosion arising from\nthe improper maintenance of life safety and fire prevention and protection\nmaterials, devices, systems and structures, and the unsafe storage, handling and\nuse of substances, materials and devices, including explosives and blasting\nagents, wherever located, heretofore or hereafter enacted or adopted by the\nCommonwealth or any county or municipality, including departments, boards,\nbureaus, commissions or other agencies.\n\t\t“Fire Services Board” means the Virginia Fire Services Board as\nprovided for in \u00a7 9.1-202.\n\t\t“Fireworks” means any firecracker, torpedo, skyrocket, or other\nsubstance or object, of whatever form or construction, that contains any\nexplosive or inflammable compound or substance, and is intended, or commonly\nknown as fireworks, and which explodes, rises into the air or travels laterally,\nor fires projectiles into the air.\n\t\t“Fireworks operator” or “pyrotechnician” means any\nperson engaged in the design, setup, and firing of any fireworks other than\npermissible fireworks either inside a building or structure or outdoors.\n\t\t“Inspection warrant” means an order in writing, made in the name\nof the Commonwealth, signed by any judge or magistrate whose territorial\njurisdiction encompasses the building, structure or premises to be inspected or\nentered, and directed to a state or local official, commanding him to enter and\nto conduct any inspection, examination, testing or collection of samples for\ntesting required or authorized by the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code.\n\t\t“Lighter” means any electrical or mechanical device that operates\nusing any type of fuel, including butane or another liquid fuel, and is\ntypically used to light a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.\n\t\t“Local government” means the governing body of any city, county or\ntown in this Commonwealth.\n\t\t“Permissible fireworks” means any fountains that do not emit\nsparks or other burning effects to a distance greater than five meters (16.4\nfeet); wheels that do not emit a flame radius greater than one meter (39\ninches); crackling devices and flashers or strobes that do not emit sparks or\nother burning effects to a distance greater than two meters (78.74 inches); and\nsparkling devices or other fireworks devices that (i) do not explode or produce\na report, (ii) do not travel horizontally or vertically under their own power,\n(iii) do not emit or function as a projectile, (iv) do not produce a continuous\nflame longer than 20 inches, (v) are not capable of being reloaded, and (vi) if\ndesigned to be ignited by a fuse, have a fuse that is protected to resist side\nignition and a burning time of not less than four seconds and not more than\neight seconds.\n\t\t“State Fire Marshal” means the State Fire Marshal as provided for\nby \u00a7 9.1-206.\n\t\t“Unsafe lighter” means (i) a disposable or refillable lighter used\nfor cigarettes, cigars, or pipes that does not comply with ASTM International\nstandard F400-20, as amended from time to time, or (ii) a lighter used for\nutilities, grills, or fireplaces or a lighting rod or gas match that does not\ncomply with ASTM International standard F2201-20, as amended from time to time.\n\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 429; 1988, cc. 340, 549; 1989, c. 258; 2002, c. 856; 2010, cc.\n587, 643; 2019, c. 720; 2025, c. 97.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}