Form 19 — Business/Property Owner's Declaration on Fireworks and Pyrotechnics: The Complete Guide

What Is Form 19 and Why Does It Exist?

Form 19 is the declaration of the business or property owner regarding fireworks or any pyrotechnic means, and it belongs to the system of uniform forms of the National Fire and Rescue Authority. It is an official document in which the business owner declares that the storage, sale, use or display of pyrotechnic materials on the property is carried out in accordance with the safety requirements. In some cases, a signature is also required from a professional who actually inspected the business.

Fireworks and pyrotechnic materials are among the most flammable and sensitive materials found in a civilian environment. Poor storage, incorrect placement or exposure to a heat source can turn a small incident into a fire and an explosion within seconds, with all the risk to human life. The form is intended precisely for this: to ensure that whoever handles these materials knows the danger, meets the required conditions and takes full personal and legal responsibility.

What the Form Covers — and Whom It Is Relevant To

Form 19 applies to any business or property in which one or more of the following activities is carried out:

• Storage of fireworks — in a warehouse, a store or a dedicated storage area within a commercial property
• Retail sale of pyrotechnic products to the public
• Production, assembly or modification of pyrotechnic products
• Use of fireworks at an event — in an open space or an enclosed environment

The declaration obliges the business owner to ensure that storage is carried out in the permitted quantity and conditions, that the distance from other materials and from escape routes meets the requirements, and that firefighting means are available within reach. Each of these parameters is exactly the failure point that can turn a local incident into a disaster.

The Regulatory Background — Where It Fits Within the Fire Authority's Requirements

In Israel, businesses that hold hazardous materials, including pyrotechnics, are subject to the Business Licensing Law and to the fire authority's requirements. The National Fire and Rescue Authority published a series of uniform forms, and each form addresses a different fire-safety topic — from firefighting equipment and sprinklers to site files and employee training. Form 19 is the dedicated form for fireworks and pyrotechnics.

The form fits into the licensing process as part of the submission track to the local authority, and in many cases it is part of what is known as the "declaration track" — a track in which the business owner declares independently that they meet the fire authority's requirements, instead of waiting for individual approval. The fire authority is an approving body in the licensing process: without meeting its requirements, the business license will not be issued. The form is submitted to the local authority, and in the declaration track it can also be sent to the authority's service center by email.

Who Must Submit the Form and When

The obligation to submit Form 19 applies to a business that received a demand for it from the local authority or the fire authority, and in particular in the following situations:

• When applying for a new business license — when the type of business includes storage, sale or use of pyrotechnics
• When renewing a business license — if the authority or the fire authority defines the business as requiring periodic inspection
• After a material change to the business — expanding the storage area, changing location, or changing the maximum stock quantity
• At the demand of a fire inspector — at any time the inspector sees a need for a fresh certificate

In addition, event operators — producers and production companies that use fireworks in a show — usually require a separate approval or permit, and sometimes one for each event individually. Here it is important to emphasize: a permit for pyrotechnic use at an event is a process in itself, and is not replaced by a permanent declaration of a business.

Who Is Qualified to Complete and Sign — the Most Confusing Nuance

This is the point that generates the greatest uncertainty, and the answer depends on the scope of activity and the fire authority's demand:

• A self-declaration by the business owner: for businesses with low fire risk and a limited scope of activity, a self-declaration by the business owner is sometimes sufficient, in which they confirm they have met all the requirements. This does not mean there are no requirements — it means the business owner is the party responsible for meeting them, with all the legal significance that entails.
• Signature of a professional: for storage in large quantities, in a dedicated warehouse, or in production and assembly activity, it is usually required that a qualified professional — such as a safety officer, a professional authorized for hazardous materials, or a duly certified party — actually inspect and sign.
• Not every professional is competent: a general civil engineer, a building contractor, or a firefighter who is not an inspector are not necessarily recognized as signatories in this field. You must verify with the local authority and the fire authority who is the party they accept as a qualified signatory for pyrotechnics.

The simple rule: approach the local fire authority in advance and clarify exactly what they expect to see and who is allowed to sign — before you hire a professional and pay for an inspection.

Validity of the Declaration and Renewal Frequency

There is no uniform, fixed validity for Form 19 — the frequency derives from the type of license, the requirements of the local authority and the instructions of the fire inspector. As a rule:

• The declaration is valid for the life of the license, but renewing the license may require an updated declaration
• A material change to the business — location, quantity or type of activity — requires submitting a new declaration even without a license renewal
• An inspector may demand a fresh certificate at any time, independent of the license renewal date

Since there is no uniform number that fits every business, do not assume an expiry date "from memory" — check the specific requirement with the local authority.

What the Fire Inspector Actually Checks

When an inspector arrives at the property, they examine, among other things:

• Whether the quantity of materials stored matches the declaration and what is permitted under the requirements
• Whether the storage conditions are proper — separation from other materials, heat sources, ventilation and environmental conditions
• Whether appropriate warning marking and signage exist
• Whether firefighting means are available in proximity to the storage area
• Whether escape routes are clear, marked and illuminated
• Whether the staff knows how to act in an emergency

Common Mistakes and Oversights

These are the mistakes that business owners and property managers repeat again and again:

• A declaration without a real inspection: signing the declaration without actually verifying that the conditions are met is not just a bureaucratic flaw — in the event of an incident it can entail personal and legal liability.
• Misidentifying "who needs the form": many think the form concerns only a fireworks store. In practice, an event producer, an entertainment company, or a warehouse that holds a small quantity of smoke materials for stage sets may also be required to have it.
• Failure to update after a change: adding a storage shelf, switching suppliers or moving to the yard — each of these changes may require a renewed declaration, and it is not always clear to the business owner.
• Relying on an old certificate: "I submitted three years ago" is not necessarily sufficient. Check with the local authority what the current status is.
• Choosing an unsuitable professional: as noted, not every engineer or technician is recognized by the fire authority as a legitimate signatory. Coordinate in advance.
• Digital storage only: sometimes the fire authority expects to see an original signed document at the property. Keep an original paper copy as well, alongside the digital version.

Practical Tips for the Business Owner and Building Manager

• Maintain a safety file for the property in which all fire authority certificates are organized by topic and by renewal date
• Mark the license renewal date on your calendar about six weeks in advance — enough time for inspection, correction of deficiencies and submission
• Stay in touch with the pyrotechnics supplier — a professional supplier knows the requirements and can refer you to a qualified professional
• When in doubt — contact the regional fire station directly. They prefer a question in advance over an inspection that finds a deficiency
• Do not wait for a demand: a business that submits certificates on its own initiative builds a reputation for responsibility with the regulator

How Domera Helps You Track the Certificate

In Domera you can store Form 19 in the property's digital file, set a renewal date and receive an automatic reminder as it approaches, and also find a suitable professional through the system's supplier directory — so that a certificate critical to safety does not fall through the cracks.