Most adults have seen Sky Lanterns in movies, and some of you may have even participated in their release. They are very popular at weddings, festivals, and memorials. But these devices pose serious fire hazards and are being banned by many local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). They are essentially a paper hot air balloon with an open flame that drifts in the wind and eventually comes down.
As I get back into doing all my code/engineering reviews for their projects, I am seeing a lot of local (City and County level) ordinance banning their use. Some states are even working to ban them statewide. The 2021 IFC even DEFINES and CONTROLS “Sky Lanterns”…
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SKY LANTERN – An unmanned device with a fuel source that incorporates an open flame in order to make the device airborne. |
The code goes on to state: (emphasis by me)
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308.1.6.3 Sky lanterns A person shall not release or cause to be released an untethered sky lantern. |
Notice the code does NOT outright ban the release of Sky Lanterns IF they are tethered to something to control their travel distance. The code does NOT QUANTIFY the length of this tether but makes it clear that simply releasing them and letting wind speed and direction dictate their travel is NOT allowed in jurisdiction that have adopted the 2021 IFC.