Toronto Fire Services Open Air Burning Standard Operating Guideline PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE OPEN AIR BURNING Date Issued: July 29, 2022 Rescinds: May 4, 2022 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-FIPO PURPOSE To provide Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for incidents involving open-air Burning. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE OPEN AIR BURNING Date Issued: July 29, 2022 Rescinds: May 4, 2022 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-FIPO PURPOSE To provide Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for incidents involving open-air Burning. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for an awareness of open-air burning regulations within the City of Toronto. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring the laws regarding open-air burning enforced within the City. Chief Officers of the Fire Prevention Division are responsible for scrutinizing open-air burning requests and granting approval where applicable. GUIDELINES 1. General 1.1 The authority to approve open-air burning is delegated by the Fire Chief to Chief Officers of the Fire Prevention Division. 1.2 When crews respond to sites concerning open-air burning it is important to note the details based on the Ontario Fire Code. 1.3 Open-air burning is not permitted within the City of Toronto and is enforceable under Ontario Fire Code Article 2.4.4.4. 1.4 Open-air burning shall not take place unless it is approved OR the open-air burn consists of a small, confined fire that is: (a) used to cook food on a grill, barbecue or spit (b) commensurate with the type and quantity of food being cooked, and (c) supervised at all time Conditions above do not apply to the use of an appliance that, (a) meets the requirements of the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (b) is for outdoor use (c) if assembled, has been assembled in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and (d) if installed, has been installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. File Code: G-FIPO Page 1 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE All open-air burns are required to be approved unless the criteria listed above are met. The request for a Ceremonial fire is submitted, reviewed and signed off by the Chief Fire Official (Fire Prevention division). 1.5 Any open fire failing to meet all of the listed conditions shall be ordered extinguished by the Incident Commander. 1.6 Failure to comply with open-air burning regulations is a contravention of the Ontario Fire Code for which a person can be charged under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. 1.7 The Incident Commander shall ensure open-air burning occurrences are referred to the TFS Fire Prevention Division using the procedure outlined in G-FIR(R) — Fire Prevention Referrals. 1.8 In addition to all other relevant information that should be gathered for completion of the Emergency Incident Reports in the Fire Records Management System (Fire RMS), the Incident Commander shall note and report the following: (a) Name of the owner or person in charge. (b) Address. (c) Telephone number. 2. Open Air Burning Approval 2.1 Persons requesting permits for open-air burning are requested to apply in writing or contact the Toronto Fire Services as outlined in 2.2. 2.2 Written requests for open-air burning including Cultural fires should be sent to the Fire Prevention Division. Email – TFS inspections [email protected] or by contacting a Fire Prevention Division's command office: Fire Prevention Division - Command Offices North Command East Command South Command West Command North York CC Scarborough CC Etobicoke CC 5100 Yonge St. 150 Borough Dr 77 Elizabeth St. 399 The West Mall Toronto M2N 5V7 Toronto M1B 3G4 Toronto M5G 1P4 Toronto M9C2Y2 416-338-9150 416-338-9250 416-338-9350 416-338-9450 2.3 Approvals shall be stamped, signed and sent to the applicant for viewing by an Incident Commander in the event TFS apparatus are dispatched to the fire location. File Code: G-FIPO Page 2 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 3. Campfire Effect Units 3.1 TFS has investigated reports of campfires being operated in a backyard. Upon examining the scene, it was learned the "campfire" was actually a manufactured unit designed to replicate an outdoor campfire. 3.2 The units are designed to operate with propane or natural gas. They are intended for outdoor use only, not for food preparation. They are designed for effect only and should be ULC and CSA approved. 3.3 As a result, in Toronto, patio campfire units that are ULC and CSA approved are deemed "approved" under the Fire Code provided they are supervised at all times and operated in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions in a safe manner and location away from combustibles. 3.4 Solid fuel burning appliances are unacceptable. Although solid fuel outdoor fireplaces can be purchased at retail outlets throughout the city it does not mean open-air burning is permitted with their use. 4. Indigenous Sacred Fires 4.1 Indigenous Sacred Fires fall under the scope of an open-air burn/Cultural Fire and notifications of these fires are submitted and reviewed by the Community Risk Reduction Division. 4.2 Indigenous Sacred Fires can occur at designated and undesignated sites. CRR staff will ensure Communications staff are notified of these locations and the appropriate CAD note is entered. (a) Designated Sites: locations across the city, identified by the Indigenous Affairs Office which undergo an annual safety assessment by the CRR division, and may be used by First Nations, Inuit or Métis community members throughout the year. (b) Undesignated sites: These sites are not permanent and the Indigenous Affairs Office (IAO) will notify TFS of the date and time of the fire. The CRR division receives the notification and conducts a site safety assessment. 4.3 TFS will continue to respond if there is a perceived Fire or safety concern from residents at any site. Company officers are to assess the situation from a distance (if possible) and not interrupt the ceremony unless they identify a safety concern and need for action to be taken by responding crews. (a) Stations within run areas of designated sites will be advised of their locations. (b) Undesignated sites will be flagged in CAD as to the date and time of the planned event. File Code: G-FIPO Page 3 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 4.4 Sacred fires are not to be extinguished unless there is a risk to public safety or it has spread from the ceremonial location. ATTACHMENT(S) Click here to enter text. RELATED SOGS Click here to enter text. File Code: G-FIPO Page 4 of 4