Open Burning Policy in Susquehanna Township

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Susquehanna Twp Fire Codes

International Fire Codes (2018 edition)

Section 307 - Open Burning, Recreational Fires, and Portable Outdoor Fire Places

Susquehanna Township has not permitted open burning since 1988. This was covered under the old BOCA Fire Prevention Codes as well as township, state, and federal regulations concerning the Clean Air Act.

Under Section 105.6 of the 2018 edition of the International Fire Codes, Permits may be issued for Open Burning from the Office of the Fire Marshal. These permits are issued on a case-by-case basis, and all applicable safety requirements must be maintained.

307.1 General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize any open burning to be kindled or maintained unless conducted and approved in accordance with this section.

307.1 Prohibited open burning. Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited.

307.3 Extinguishment Authority gives the fire code official or his designee the authority to cause extinguishment of non-permitted fires or permitted fires that have become hazardous or objectionable.

307.4.3 Portable Outdoor Fireplaces shall be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. Note- seasoned hardwoods and not trash, leaves or brush. It shall be attended at all times until extinguished.  A fire extinguisher (4A) or garden hose shall be available for immediate utilization.

Exception: Portable outdoor fireplaces used at one- and two-family dwellings.

Section 307.5 Attendance. Fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. An approved fire extinguisher or charged garden hose shall be available for immediate utilization.

Section 308 - Open Flames

308.3.1 Open-flame cooking devices. Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.

Exceptions:

  1. One- and two-family dwellings.
  2. Where buildings, balconies, and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

308.3.1.1 Liquefied-petroleum (LP)-gas-fueled cooking devices. LP gas burners having an LP gas container greater than 2.5 pounds shall not be located on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.

Exception: One- and two-family dwellings