Cal. Code Regs. tit. 19, § 999 – Mortars, Aerial Shells.

(a) General.
1. (1) Electric firing shall be required for all mortars eight inches (8″) or greater in diameter.
2. (2) Multiple-break shells that include a salute as one of the breaks shall be fired in HDPE mortars only.
(b) Steel Mortars.
1. (1) Steel Mortars shall be constructed of commercially manufactured, first quality electric resistance weld (ERW) or drawn over mandrel (DOM) steel tubing conforming to ASTM Standard A135-83, which is incorporated by reference. Mortars constructed of cast iron, other fragmenting types of steel, and all other types of metal are prohibited. Salutes shall not be fired from metallic mortars.
2. (2) Steel mortars shall have a base plate the same thickness of the mortar wall, welded continuously around its perimeter.
3. (3) The inside length of steel mortars shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:
  Shell Size
  Inside Length
  1.99 inches or less
  8 inches
  2 inches
  13 inches
  2 ½ inches
  13 inches
  3 inches
  15 inches
  4 inches
  20 inches
  5 inches
  25 inches
  6 inches
  30 inches
  7 inches
  32 inches
  8 inches
  32 inches
  10 inches
  40 inches
  12 inches
  40 inches
  16 inches
  64 inches
  24 inches
  96 inches
4. (4) Mortars shall not have any visible cracks in the body of the tube, nor any cracks or voids in the weld around the base plug. Mortars shall not be dented or distorted beyond the point that such distortion interferes with the smooth and unimpeded travel of the shell throughout the entire length of the mortar.
(c) Paper Mortars.
1. (1) Reusable paper mortars shall be of spiral or convolute wound kraft paper or chipboard, and shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:
  Shell Size
  Wall Thickness
  Inside Length
  Base Plug^*
  Less than
  2 inches
  ⅛ inch
  8 inches
  1 inch
  2 inches
  ¼ inch
  13 inches
  2 inches
  2 ½ inches
  ⅜ inch
  13 inches
  3 inches
  3 inches
  ⅜ inch
  15 inches
  3 inches
  4 inches
  ½ inch
  20 inches
  3 inches
  5 inches
  ½ inch
  25 inches
  4 inches
  6 inches
  ½ inch
  30 inches
  4 inches
  7 inches
  ¾ inch
  32 inches
  4 inches
  8 inches
  ¾ inch
  32 inches
  4 inches
  * Sizes for base plugs are nominal.
2. (2) Base plugs for paper mortars shall be wooden and securely glued, as well as nailed, screwed or bolted to the base of the mortar. Base plugs shall be discarded and replaced when damaged. Minor cracks and checks are acceptable.
3. (3) Multiple-break shells shall not be fired from paper mortars.
(d) HDPE Mortars. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) mortars shall meet the minimum specifications set forth below:
Shell Size
Wall Thickness
Inside Length
Base Plug^*
Less than 2″
⅛ inch
10 inches
1 inch
2 inches
¼ inch
13 inches
2 inches
2 ½ inches
¼ inch
13 inches
3 inches
3 inches
¼ inch
15 inches
3 inches
4 inches
¼ inch
20 inches
3 inches
5 inches
¼ inch
25 inches
4 inches
6 inches
⅜ inch
30 inches
4 inches
7 inches
⅜ inch
32 inches
4 inches
8 inches
⅜ inch
32 inches
6 inches
* Base plug sizes are nominal.
HDPE Mortars shall not be reloaded for a period of at least one (1) hour after use. All base plugs for HDPE mortars shall be wooden, and securely glued, as well as nailed, screwed, or bolted to the base of the mortar. Base plugs shall be discarded and replaced when damaged. Minor cracks and checks are acceptable.
(e) Other Materials. Recognizing that new materials for the construction of mortars may be developed, such materials may be used when specifically approved by the State Fire Marshal. Persons wishing to use material not specifically covered in this section shall submit the material in an amount sufficient for testing to the State Fire Marshal for determination of its safety and its inclusion in this section.
Note: For illustrations of typical mortar racks, troughs and drums, see Diagrams A, B and C following section 1002.

Note: Authority cited: Section 12552, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 12552, Health and Safety Code.

History

1. Repealer of former section 999 and new section filed 6-26-91 as an emergency; operative 6-26-91 (Register 91, No. 48). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 10-24-91 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. Emergency language repealed by operation of law. Repealer of former section 999 and new section filed 4-14-92; operative 5-14-92 (Register 92, No. 21).