Town’s fire ban lifted

 

On Monday, July 10^th, 2012 the Silverton Board of Trustees voted unanimously to lift the emergency Town-wide fire ban the Board had imposed on June 27^th, 2012.  Normal restrictions on unlawful open fires remain in effect in Town.  Visitors should also be mindful of the fact that despite much-needed regional rains of late, heightened fire conditions do remain.  Please use common sense while enjoying your outdoor activities here and contact Silverton Town Hall at 970-387-5522 for more information on what type of outdoor flames are and are not considered permissible under the Town Municipal Code.

 

The Town of Silverton adopted the 2003 International Fire Code.  Below are the regulations for open burning in Town.

 

SECTION 307

OPEN BURNING AND RECREATIONAL FIRES

 

307.1 General. A person shall not kindle or maintain or authorize

to be kindled or maintained any open burning unless conducted

and approved in accordance with this section.

 

307.2 Permit required. A permit shall be obtained from the

fire code official in accordance with Section 105.6 prior to

kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife

management practices, prevention or control of disease or

pests, or a bonfire. Application for such approval shall only be

presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon

which the fire is to be kindled.

 

307.2.1 Authorization. Where required by state or local

law or regulations, open burning shall only be permitted

with prior approval from the state or local air and water quality

management authority, provided that all conditions specified

in the authorization are followed.

 

307.2.2 Prohibited open burning. Open burning that will

be offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor

emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances

make such fires hazardous shall be prohibited. The

fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment

by the permit holder or the fire department of open burning

which creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

 

307.3 Location. The location for open burning shall not be less

than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from any structure, and provisions

shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50

feet (15 240 mm) of any structure.

 

 

Exceptions:

1. Fires in approved containers that are not less than 15

feet (4572 mm) from a structure.

2. The minimum required distance from a structure shall

be 25 feet (7620 mm) where the pile size is 3 feet (914

mm) or less in diameter and 2 feet (610 mm) or less in

height.

 

307.3.1 Bonfires. A bonfire shall not be conducted within

50 feet (15 240 mm) of a structure or combustible material

unless the fire is contained in a barbecue pit. Conditions

which could cause a fire to spread within 50 feet (15 240

mm) of a structure shall be eliminated prior to ignition.

 

307.3.2 Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be

conducted within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure or combustible

material. Conditions which could cause a fire to

spread within 25 feet (7620 mm) of a structure shall be eliminated

prior to ignition.

 

307.4 Attendance. Open burning, bonfires or recreational fires

shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A

minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with

Section 906 with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved

on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water

barrel, garden hose or water truck, shall be available for immediate

utilization.

 

 

SECTION 308

OPEN FLAMES

 

308.1 General. This section shall control open flames, fire and

burning on all premises.

 

308.2 Where prohibited. A person shall not take or utilize an

open flame or light in a structure, vessel, boat or other place

where highly flammable, combustible or explosive material is

utilized or stored. Lighting appliances shall be well-secured in

a glass globe and wire mesh cage or a similar approved device.

 

308.2.1 Throwing or placing sources of ignition. No person

shall throw or place, or cause to be thrown or placed, a

lighted match, cigar, cigarette, matches, or other flaming or

glowing substance or object on any surface or article where

it can cause an unwanted fire.

 

308.3 Open flame. A person shall not utilize or allow to be utilized,

an open flame in connection with a public meeting or

gathering for purposes of deliberation, worship, entertainment,

amusement, instruction, education, recreation, awaiting transportation

or similar purpose in assembly or educational occupancies

without first obtaining a permit in accordance with

Section 105.6.

 

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 (3048 mm) 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-gas-fueled cooking

devices. LP-gas burners having an LP-gas container with

a water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds [nominal 1

pound (0.454 kg) LP-gas capacity] shall not be located

on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of

combustible construction.

Exception: One- and two-family dwellings.

 

308.3.2 Open-flame decorative devices. Open-flame decorative

devices shall comply with all of the following restrictions:

1. Class I and Class II liquids and LP-gas shall not be

used.

2. Liquid- or solid-fueled lighting devices containing

more than 8 ounces (237 ml) of fuel must self-extinguish

and not leak fuel at a rate of more than 0.25

teaspoon per minute (1.26 ml per minute) if tipped

over.

3. The device or holder shall be constructed to prevent

the spillage of liquid fuel or wax at the rate of more

than 0.25 teaspoon per minute (1.26 ml per minute)

when the device or holder is not in an upright position.

4. The device or holder shall be designed so that it will

return to the upright position after being tilted to an

angle of 45 degrees from vertical.

Exception: Devices that self-extinguish if tipped

over and do not spill fuel or wax at the rate of

more than 0.25 teaspoon per minute (1.26 ml per

minute) if tipped over.

5. The flame shall be enclosed except where openings

on the side are not more than 0.375 inch (9.5mm)diameter

or where openings are on the top and the distance

to the top is such that a piece of tissue paper

placed on the top will not ignite in 10 seconds.

6. Chimneys shall be made of noncombustible materials

and securely attached to the open-flame device.

Exception: A chimney is not required to be attached

to any open-flame device that will self-extinguish

if the device is tipped over.

7. Fuel canisters shall be safely sealed for storage.

8. Storage and handling of combustible liquids shall be

in accordance with Chapter 34.

9. Shades, where used, shall be made of

noncombustible materials and securely attached to

the open-flame device holder or chimney.

10. Candelabras with flame-lighted candles shall be securely

fastened in place to prevent overturning, and

shall be located away from occupants using the area

and away from possible contact with drapes, curtains

or other combustibles.

 

 

308.3.3 Location near combustibles. Open flames such as

from candles, lanterns, kerosene heaters, and gas-fired heaters

shall not be located on or near decorative material or

similar combustible materials.

 

308.3.4 Aisles and exits. Candles shall be prohibited in areas

where occupants stand, or in an aisle or exit.

 

308.3.5 Religious ceremonies. When, in the opinion of the

fire code official, adequate safeguards have been taken, participants

in religious ceremonies are allowed to carry

hand-held candles. Hand-held candles shall not be passed

from one person to another while lighted.

 

308.3.6 Theatrical performances. Where approved,

open-flame devices used in conjunction with theatrical performances

are allowed to be used when adequate safety precautions

have been taken in accordance with NFPA 160.

 

308.3.7 Group A occupancies. Open-flame devices shall

not be used in a Group A occupancy.

Exceptions:

1. Open-flame devices are allowed to be used in the

following situations, provided approved precautions

are taken to prevent ignition of a combustible

material or injury to occupants:

1.1. Where necessary for ceremonial or religious

purposes in accordance with Section

308.3.5.

1.2. On stages and platforms as a necessary part

of a performance in accordance with Section

308.3.6.

1.3. Where candles on tables are securely supported

on substantial noncombustible

bases and the candle flames are protected.

2. Heat-producing equipment complying with Chapter

6 and the International Mechanical Code.

3. Gas lights are allowed to be used provided adequate

precautions satisfactory to the fire code official

are taken to prevent ignition of combustible

materials.

 

308.4Torches for removing paint. Persons utilizing a torch or

other flame-producing device for removing paint from a structure

shall provide a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher

complying with Section 906 and with a minimum 4-A rating,

two portable fire extinguishers, each with a minimum 2-A rating,

or a water hose connected to the water supply on the premises

where such burning is done. The person doing the

burning shall remain on the premises 1 hour after the torch or

flame-producing device is utilized.

 

 

308.4.1 Permit. A permit in accordance with Section 105.6

shall be secured from the fire code official prior to the utilization

of a torch or flame-producing device to remove paint

from a structure.

 

308.5 Open-flame devices. Torches and other devices, machines

or processes liable to start or cause fire shall not be operated

or used in or upon hazardous fire areas, except by a permit

in accordance with Section 105.6 secured from the fire code official.

Exception: Use within inhabited premises or designated

campsites which are a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm) from

grass-, grain-, brush- or forest-covered areas.

 

308.5.1 Signals and markers. Flame-employing devices,

such as lanterns or kerosene road flares, shall not be operated

or used as a signal or marker in or upon hazardous fire

areas.

Exception: The proper use of fusees at the scenes of

emergencies or as required by standard railroad operating

procedures.

 

308.5.2 Portable fueled open-flame devices. Portable

open-flame devices fueled by flammable or combustible

gases or liquids shall be enclosed or installed in such a manner

as to prevent the flame from contacting combustible material.

Exceptions:

1. LP-gas-fueled devices used for sweating pipe

joints or removing paint in accordance with Chapter

38.

2. Cutting and welding operations in accordance with

Chapter 26.

3. Torches or flame-producing devices in accordance

with Section 308.4.

4. Candles and open-flame decorative devices in accordance

with Section 308.3.