ST CLAIR SHORES FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
26700 HARPER, ST. CLAIR SHORES , MI 48081
TELEPHONE: (586) 445-5380  FAX: (586) 445-4031

FIRE MARSHAL
BULLETIN

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>  
SCS FMB-018
DATE:  5/19/98
REVISED:
PAGE:  1 of 1

RE:  FIRE PREVENTION GUIDELINES PERTAINING TO OPEN BURNING

City ordinance #40.300 restricts anyone from kindling an open fire on private or public property.  This would include bon fires, pit BBQs except during the cooking of the food, the burning of yard waste or the unconfined fires used by contractors to heat water/sand for mortar. 

  OPEN BURNING; THE BURNING OF ANY MATERIALS WHEREIN PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION ARE EMITTED DIRECTLY INTO THE AMBIENT AIR WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH A STACK OR CHIMNEY FROM AN ENCLOSED CHAMBER. 

  The Fire Prevention Bureau will allow the burning of hardwood logs in an approved container constructed of metal or masonry with a metal covering device with openings no larger than ¾- inches under the following conditions:

  ·        The container is manufactured as an outdoor fireplace, not a BBQ, is in good condition and is used in accordance with the manufacturer.  Weber or Coleman makes such containers.
·        The approved container is a minimum 15-ft from buildings and is set upon non-combustible surfaces.
·        Only hardwood shall be burned.  Yard waste or scrap wood SHALL NOT be      burned.
·        An adult constantly attends the burning until the fire is extinguished.

  The authority having jurisdiction shall have the open burning cease, even if the homeowner is in compliance with this policy, under the following conditions:

  ·        Shall prohibit the open burning that will be offensive or objectionable due to smoke or odor emissions when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires hazardous.
·        When unapproved combustibles are burned.
·        When the burning is performed in an unsafe manner.

                    FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU