Borough of Lansdowne, PA Burning, Outdoor

Portable devices intended to contain and control outdoor fires, including chimineas and fire dishes with covers, constructed of noncombustible materials such as metal or ceramic material. A fire containment device does not include charcoal or gas-powered grills that are intended to be used for cooking purposes.

§ 152-2 Fire containment devices permitted; restrictions.

Outdoor burning of aged logs and/or compressed logs in a freestanding fire containment device shall be permitted pursuant to the manufacturer's instructions and only under the following conditions:

Fire containment devices shall employ screens and a lid to completely enclose the fire and burning logs contained therein, or a chimney. Fire containment devices shall not exceed three feet in diameter, nor may the fire pile exceed two feet.

Only aged logs or commercially produced "compressed logs" shall be burned. Burning of lumber, pallets, scrap wood, tree trimmings, leaves, yard waste, paper, cardboard, garbage and other similar items is prohibited.

The fire containment device shall be located not less than 10 feet from the nearest portion of any structure, tree (including canopy), vehicle or building, nor within 10 feet of any property line.

No fire containment device shall be permitted to emit offensive or objectionable smoke or odors or when other circumstances make usage of said fire containment device hazardous including, but not limited to injury or damage to persons or property.

The fire containment device shall be used strictly in adherence with all manufacturer's guidelines and specifications issued with respect to the make and model of said fire containment device.

Once a fire has been started in an fire containment device, the lid and side screens shall be secured and shall not be removed until the fire is out or extinguished, and no object shall be permitted to protrude outside the lid and screens while a fire is burning within the fire containment device, provided that recreational fires utilized to cook food shall be exempt from said requirement during that period when food is being cooked over the flame.

For the purposes of this section, an approved fire containment device includes those commercially manufactured devices specifically designed, intended and advertised for the purpose of entertainment.

A fire containment device shall be attended and supervised at all times by a person 18 years of age or older when in use until the fire is out or extinguished.

A water source or other provisions for extinguishing the fire shall be immediately accessible at all times when there is a fire in the fire containment device.

A fire containment device may not contain fire, before enactment of this article without first obtaining a permit by the codes department and upon payment of a fee as reflected in the Borough fee schedule in effect at the time of the permit application.

Hours of operation. A person shall not use a fire containment device between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

Fire containment devices are expressly prohibited from being operated on a wooden or composite deck or balcony.

Nothing in this chapter shall preempt the applicability of "no burn" periods issued by appropriate state authorities.

§ 152-3 Violations and penalties.

Violation of this article shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $100.

Upon issuance of a citation for a violation of this article, the Borough shall revoke any permit issued for the fire containment device.

Enforcement of this chapter is within the authority of the Borough Code Officials, the Borough Fire Marshal, and/or Borough Police.

Enforcement under this section shall include the authority to order the immediate extinguishment of any fire in violation of the above sections.