The Observation Deck

OPEN BURNING

The 2007 Ohio Fire Code 1301:7-7-03, section 307, provides the following provisions that shall control open flames, fire and burning on all premises.

General – A person shall not cause or allow open burning unless approved in accordance with the Ohio Fire Code.

Approval required – Open burning shall be allowed after obtaining approval from the code official for recognized silvicultural or range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, providing heat for outworkers and a bonfire.

Allowable burning – Open burning shall be allowed without prior notification to the code official for recreational fires, highway safety flares smudge pots and similar occupational needs.

Bonfire – An outdoor fire used for ceremonial purposes. A permit is required.

Open burning – The burning of any materials wherein the products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. For the purpose of this definition, a chamber shall be regarded as enclosed, when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide air and permit the exhaust gas are open.

Recreational fire – An outdoor fire burning materials other than rubbish where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes.

Prohibited open burning – Open burning that is offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emission or when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires a hazard shall be prohibited.

Extinguishment authority – The fire code official is authorized to order the extinguishment by the permit holder, another person responsible or the fire department of open burning that creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation.

Location – The location of open burning shall not be less than 50 feet from any structure and provisions shall be made to prevent the fire from spreading to within 50 feet of any structure.

Exceptions – Fire in approved containers that are not less than 15 feet from a structure. The minimum required distance from a structure shall be 25 feet where the pile size is 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height.

Approved container – In Lakewood only commercially manufactured containers designed for burning are approved. Homemade containers are not approved.

Attendance – Open burning, bonfires or recreational fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. A minimum of 1 portable fire extinguisher with a minimum of a 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire extinguishing equipment such as dirt, sand, water barrel, garden hose or water tank truck shall be available for immediate utilization.

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 or within 15 feet of the public right of way.