Section 5611 — MODEL ROCKETS

[California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §1020-1028]

§980 Definitions:

Model Rocket Motor. The same as a model rocket engine, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 12520. Model rocket motors shall not produce more than 160 Newton-seconds of total impulse power.

Article 17. Model Rockets

§1020. General Rocket Launchers. Nothing in this article is intended to regulate the sale or the construction of model rockets, provided that such model rockets are not equipped with a model rocket motor.

§1021. Classification and Labeling. All types of model rocket motors shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal by a licensed model rocket motor manufacturer, importer/exporter or wholesaler for classification A copy of a certificate of classification indicating the item has been classified as a model rocket motor by a laboratory approved by the Department of Transportation shall accompany the

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS

request for classification by the State Fire Marshal. Three samples of each motor type shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal for classification.

Standards for the classification of model rocket motors shall conform to the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) 1122 (1987), Code for Unmanned Rockets, Sections 3-1.1, 3-1.2, 3-1.3, 3-1.4, 3-1.5, 3-1.6, 3-1.7, 3-1.8, 3-1.9, 3-1.10.

(b) Individual engines shall bear the California State Fire Marshal seal and the registration number of the licensee.

§1022. Model Rocket Standards and Use.

(a) Model rocket standards and use shall comply with: N.F.P.A. 1122, the Code for Unmanned Rockets, Chapter 3, Sections 3-1.1 through 3-1.10, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6 and Appendix A-2-(1987), which is incorporated by reference herein except for Appendices A-2.3 and A-2.4.

§1023. Storage and Sale. No model rocket motors shall be stored, sold or offered for sale at retail unless such model rocket motors have been classified by the California State Fire Marshal.

§1024. Restrictions. The provisions of this article shall not be used to establish the authority to possess, launch or use experimental unlimited or experimental/high powered rocket motors.

§1025. Authorization.

(a) No model rocket user shall launch any model rocket motor from any site without first securing authorization from the authority having jurisdiction. The authority having jurisdiction may require notification each time that model rockets are to be launched.

(b) It shall be the responsibility of the model rocket user to secure permission of the owner of private lands when such land is intended to be used to launch model rockets.

§1026. Revocation of Permits and Authorized Use of Launching Area. The authority having jurisdiction may immediately revoke a permit to sell model rocket motors at retail if it is found that those persons granted a permit have violated these regulations. The author- ity having jurisdiction may immediately revoke its authorization to use a firing area if it is found that an undue hazard exists, including, but not limited to, fire safety hazards or life safety hazards.

§1027. Minimum Age.

(a) No model rocket motors shall be sold, given or delivered to any person under 18 years of age.

Exceptions: (1) Model rocket motors bearing the standardized coding 1/4A, 1/2A, A, B, C and D may be sold, given or delivered to any person 14 years of age or older. (2) Persons who are 12 years of age or older and who are taking part in a model rocket education program may receive model rocket motors and launch approved model rockets when under the direct supervision and control of a person 18 years of age or older. Model rocket motors must be obtained only from the adult in charge of the launching. Approved model rocket motors for this exception shall bear the motor coding 1/4A, 1/2A, A, B, C or D.

§1028. Supervision. The permittee shall be responsible for the safety of all spectators and other persons connected with the launching of model rockets.