[Ord. 03-2016-602, 3/10/2016]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any container used for the purpose of burning materials as
authorized herein; constructed of masonry, metal or other noncombustible
rigid material; or containing a bottom, sides and a cover as herein
defined. Burn containers shall not be allowed to deteriorate to the
point where they contain holes or missing surfaces in the structure.
Outdoor fireplaces or incinerators shall be considered as burning
containers for the purpose of this Part. If metal drums are being
used, they shall not have contained toxic, flammable or other regulated
materials. They shall be free from holes in the sides and/or bottom,
except that they may contain drain or vent holes in the bottom of
the drum no larger than two square inches each and no more than two
drain/vent holes total per burn container. Burn containers include
UL-approved outdoor fireplaces, such as outdoor stoves, portable fire
pits, and chimineas. Portable outdoor grills that are operated by
propane or charcoal, designed and used for food preparation, are excluded
from the provisions of this Part, with exceptions to the rules outlined
in this Part for apartment buildings.
A metal screen with spaces not more than 1/2 square inch,
or other comparable material, which covers the entire open area above
the burn container opening. Such screen shall be maintained in good
condition as to prevent large particles from escaping the burn container
during operation. The cover shall not be allowed to deteriorate to
any point whereby it will lose its maximum efficiency.
Burnable materials shall include any untreated wood and/or
unpainted wood or wood product. Excluded and not permitted to be burned
are any wood that has been chemically treated to prevent rot or moisture
damage, or other similar treatment; wood products that have a high
glue content, such as flakeboard or composition board; and wood products
in combination with any nonburnable materials.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
The igniting of any material to cause flame, smoke, embers,
hot ash or residue, in combination or individually.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
Any such materials that are classified as "nonburnable" under
the guidelines of this Part, and any other materials that do not comply
fully with the intent of this Part, or otherwise create a nuisance
to people or animals, are strictly prohibited from being burned and
shall not be burned at any time, under any circumstance. The following
partial list of nonburnable materials shall include:
Paper used to absorb oils or other hazardous or toxic materials, plastic-coated paper, and paper attached to other nonburnable materials, copy machine paper and other high-grade office paper (including shredded or otherwise), file folders, newspaper including flyers, newsprint, magazines, paper products, cardboard and chipboard boxes, sheets, etc., or any other materials that are required to be recycled as outlined in the Township Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance, as amended and codified in Chapter 20 of the Salisbury Township Code of Ordinances;
Materials used to absorb all oil or other hazardous or toxic
materials, cardboard or chipboard in combination with any other nonburnable
materials;
Any wood that has been chemically treated to prevent rot or
moisture damage, or other similar treatment; wood products that have
a high glue content, such as flakeboard or composition board, and
wood products in combination with any nonburnable materials;
Materials made of or containing plastic, rubber, oils, asbestos,
composition boards, shingles, felt paper, canvas, fiberglass, vinyl,
or any combination of the above-listed materials;
Human or animal waste, sanitary napkins, diapers, food solids,
oil filters, or any other materials, individually or in combination,
that emit smoke, or acrid, hazardous or toxic odors.
Grasses, green twigs, plantings, shrubbery, or leaves are prohibited.
Any other materials that do not comply fully with the intent
of this Part, or otherwise create a nuisance to people or animals,
are strictly prohibited. The setting of any fire not prohibited by
this Part shall not in any manner be deemed or construed to have been
approved or authorized by the Township of Salisbury.
An outdoor fire, burning materials other than rubbish and
nonburnable materials, where the fuel being burned is not contained
in a burn container, incinerator, outdoor fireplace, portable outdoor
fireplace, grill or barbecue pit. This area has a total fuel area
of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height.
This fire will be used for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking,
warmth, or similar purposes, and must abide by the requirements of
burning rules in this Part, including a burn container cover when
possible.
A specific time of day, as determined and published by the
U.S. Weather Bureau locally, at which the sun rises and sets.
[Ord. 03-2016-602, 3/10/2016]
1.
Prohibited Burning at All Times. No person or corporation shall burn any of the above nonburnable materials or any like or similar materials not in compliance or inconsistent with this Part. It shall be illegal to burn any materials that give off any acrid, hazardous or toxic odors and/or emit heavy smoke. A Township-authorized official or agency, as noted in § 7-103, Subsection 1, of this Part, shall make a determination of whether illegal burning has occurred and the appropriate course of action.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
2.
Distances. No burning container shall be used or stored within 25
feet of any building or structure. No burning container shall be used
or stored within 20 feet of any property line or public sidewalk area.
No burning container shall be used or stored without the proper cover
in place. No burning container shall be used for any other purpose.
3.
Times. Burning, in compliance with this Part, shall be permitted
in approved burning containers and recreational fires that meet all
other criteria in this Part and approved special permits issued by
the Township Office of Fire Safety/Fire Inspector, will be allowed
to burn at any time of day or night. Under no conditions shall all
other burning, as defined herein, be permitted between the hours of
sunset to sunrise. Unattended fires allowed to burn or smolder after
sunset shall be in violation of this Part, and all those persons or
organizations causing such fires shall be prosecuted under the guidelines
of this Part.
4.
Attendance. Burning in compliance with this Part shall be attended
at all times by an individual 14 years or older until such time as
the fire is extinguished. Unattended burning shall be in direct violation
of this Part, and all persons or corporations causing and allowing
such unattended burning shall be prosecuted under the guidelines of
this Part. Whenever possible, the attendant shall have on hand approved
means of extinguishment such as a bucket of water, garden hose, sand,
dirt or rated fire extinguisher. The means of extinguishment must
be readily available for immediate utilization.
5.
Permissible Fires. Fires set in charcoal grills, gas grills and/or
fireplaces solely for the purpose of preparing food shall not be in
violation of this Part. Fires in approved burning containers and recreational
fires that meet all other criteria in this Part shall not be in violation
of this Part. Other permissible fires shall be those that are set,
monitored, guarded, and extinguished by any Fire Department of the
Township of Salisbury for the purpose of instructing the firefighting
personnel or for the removal of fire or health hazards. No fires shall
be set by the Fire Department between sunset and sunrise. Fires set
by the Fire Department that are extinguished before sunset of the
same day shall not be in violation of this Part.
6.
Cooking Grills in Apartment Buildings (Other than One- and Two-family
Dwellings). Hibachis, gas-fired grills, charcoal grills, or other
similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall
not be used or kindled on any balcony or under any overhanging portion
or within 10 feet of any structure. Listed electrical ranges, grills,
or similar electrical apparatus shall be permitted. Prohibited is
the storage or use of L.P. (propane) gas in quantities greater than
one pound above the first floor in any apartment or condominium. Therefore,
L.P. (propane) gas grills cannot be stored on a balcony or deck in
an apartment building.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
7.
Burn Ban. All burning, including otherwise permissible fires, will
be prohibited during the declaration of a burn ban issued by the Salisbury
Township Board of Commissioners, the Township Office of Fire Safety/Public
Safety, the Salisbury Township Emergency Management Coordinator, and/or
Lehigh County Emergency Management. Under these circumstances, usually
due to cumulative weather conditions, all burning of any materials
would constitute a general danger or threat to property or persons
in the Township of Salisbury. A burn ban may be enacted to prohibit
any burning until such danger is no longer present. The Township shall
notify the public of the burn ban through various means, including
but not limited to newspapers, public postings at municipal and fire
stations, Township websites and other publications. A ban on burning
may also be declared by the County of Lehigh, the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and/or the United States government. To the extent that
such a fire ban emergency is declared by the aforementioned entities,
such declaration shall supersede the provisions of this Part. Any
person who burns during a declared burn ban shall be in violation
of this Part.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
[Ord. 03-2016-602, 3/10/2016]
1.
The Township of Salisbury authorizes the Office of Fire Safety and
the Fire Inspectors to issue special permits for designated events
that will include burning. These events generally do not comply with
this Part and require special attention and inspection by the Township
Fire Inspector.
2.
Not less than 15 days prior to an event where burning shall occur, an individual must acquire and complete a permit application from the Township and submit the permit application to the Fire Inspector. The Fire Inspector shall review the application and inspect the area to ensure the highest degree of safety. After the permit has been issued, the applicant shall carry the permit during the event and must exhibit same, upon request, to any Township official designated in § 7-103, Subsection 1, and/or any other appointed or elected Township official.
3.
Ceremonial Burning. As defined under "recreational fires," ceremonial
burning must be conducted by the rules set forth in this Part. The
Salisbury Township Fire Safety Inspector must be contacted prior to
a ceremonial burning if it does not meet the requirements of this
Part in order to determine if permits and inspections will apply.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
1.
Enforcement. The Township of Salisbury authorizes the following agencies
and officials to enforce this Part: Township of Salisbury Building
Code Official, Salisbury Township Code Enforcement Officer, Salisbury
Township Fire Marshal, Salisbury Township Fire Safety Inspector, Salisbury
Township Fire Department Chief Officers (Western and Eastern District),
and Salisbury Township police officers. The agencies and officials
identified herewith are authorized to work solely or collectively
in order to enforce this Part.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
3.
Penalties. Any person or corporation who violates any provision of
this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine
of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution, and in default
of payment thereof, shall undergo imprisonment for a period not to
exceed 90 days. Fines shall be issued by Salisbury Township police
officers and/or Salisbury Township Fire Inspectors.
[Amended by Ord. No. 04-2018-616, 4/26/2018]
