BURNING PERMITS ARE NOT BEING ISSUED AFTER
Regulations Regarding Open Burning, 2007/2008 Season
To: Southbury Residents/Property Owners
Applying
for Open Burning Permits
From: Henry W. Stormer, Fire Marshal
Town Open Burning Official
The Office of the Fire
Marshal issues or denies burning permits only after the following steps are
taken:
1.
Completion of the
application form (EPAC rev. 3/02).
2.
Payment of a $10
fee for such application and permit. (No
deposit of cash or checks will take place until after the burning official
inspects the burning site and issues or denies the permit.)
3.
Inspection of the
site by the burning official. Inspection
may reveal the need for certain conditions to be met for burning to take place.
The Connecticut General Statutes in
Section 22a-174 and the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies (Dept of
Environmental Protection) require the following general conditions.
1.
Only brush, 3” or
less in diameter may be burned. (No
Leaves, Stumps, Etc…)
2.
The permittee/applicant must reside on the property where
burning is to take place.
3.
Burning must
cease when directed by the Fire Marshal or Fire Chief or their designees, or
upon order of any official of the Connecticut DEP.
4.
Burning should be
complete and attempts to reduce excessive smoke should be taken.
5.
Safety
precautions must be taken. The area
around the burning site/pile must be cleared to prevent fire spread, wetting
down the surrounding area may be required, and a water hose must be on site for
purposes of control.
6.
The permit must
be immediately available at the site during burning.
7.
Burning may only
be conducted between
The Southbury Fire Marshal’s Office sets
as a condition of every permit:
1.
PRIOR TO BURNING,
the resident MUST call 262-0637 for final verbal approval for that day.
2.
Available water
source must be on site (Garden hose, water buckets)
3.
The permittee must be on site at all times burning takes place
for purposes of site supervision.
Unattended fires will result in revocation of the burning permit.
4.
Upon complaint of
neighbors concerning excessive smoke/smell, or by Fire Department Personnel
concerning improper or unsafe burning, the fire will be ordered extinguished,
the permit revoked and alternate means of disposal must be found.
PLEASE READ YOUR PERMIT.
Violations of conditions of Open Burning Permits or burning without a
permit will subject to the permittee or person
burning to revocation of issued permits, forfeiture of the ability to obtain
future permits and/or arrest for violation of Connecticut General Statute 23-48
(as amended by PA 01-150), which could result in fine up to $200 and/or up to 6
months imprisonment.
SEE
INFORMATION BELOW FOR OLDER ADULT FIRE SAFETY
House
Fire –
Southbury
Fire Marshal Announces Fire Safety For Older Adults
Program
The Office of the Fire Marshal
has announced that beginning on
The importance of this program is
due to demographics. The Town of
Within the last 6 months, the Southbury Fire Department has responded to numerous cooking fires, discarded smoking materials fires, the loss of a 4 car garage and 3 vehicles to fire, candle fires, electrical malfunctions and careless living fires at older adult residential housing.
The Town and the residents have been lucky in avoiding life loss and injury, and this programs goal is to continue to prevent them from happening.
The Fire Marshal’s Office has a limited number of smoke detectors that will be distributed and installed for residents over the age of 55 on a need basis. We also have a limited amount of grant money to purchase smoke detectors for the hearing impaired. That grant money and assistance will be based on income levels. Educational programs will be held at various locations to assist our older adults in learning prevention strategies and gaining tips on keeping themselves fire safe in their homes.
Information concerning applying for and attending this program will be posted and advertised by September 1, 2007 on this web site and through the local newspapers and local cable TV channels.
Please read the information below for tips on remaining fire safe.
Fire
Safety Checklist for Older Adults
Older people are at special
risk for death and injury from fires.
To protect yourself and those you care about, follow
these seven tips:
(1) Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms. Install working smoke
alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test and
dust each alarm monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year.
(2) Use Smoking Materials Safely. Never smoke in bed, while
drowsy, or while under the influence of medication or alcohol. Use large, deep
ashtrays for smoking debris, and let the contents cool before you dispose of
them.
(3) Keep pot
handles turned inward, and keep cooking surfaces and surrounding areas free
from clutter and grease build-up. Use pot holders and oven mitts. Never lean over a
hot burner and avoid wearing loose clothing with flowing sleeves while cooking.
Take a reminder with you (or set a timer) if you must leave the kitchen with
food cooking on the range top.
(4) Heat Your
Home Safely. Have a professional service all heating equipment annually. Keep combustibles
and anything that can burn or melt away from all heaters, furnaces, fireplaces,
and water heaters. Never use a range or oven to heat your home.
(5) Practice
Electrical Safety. Have a professional electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring
system at least every 10 years, and make recommended repairs. Never overload
the electrical system. Plug each appliance directly into its own outlet and
avoid using extension cords. Have an electrician install ground fault circuit
interrupters (GFCIs) in rooms where water may be present. Install and maintain
electrical appliances according to the manufacturers’ instructions.
(6) Keep
Matches and Lighters Away from Children. Store matches and lighters in a locked drawer
or a high cabinet away from the reach of grandchildren or other youngsters.
Make sure lighters are child-resistant.
(7) Know What
to Do in Case of Fire. Practice two ways out of every room in your home. Get out as soon as
you discover a fire; do not try to fight the fire. Once out of the house, stay
out; do not attempt to enter a burning home to gather possessions left behind.
Immediately dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number for help, preferably from
a neighbor’s phone.
Reasons behind the Fire Safety Checklist for Older Adults
Older adults (age 65 and older) are twice as likely
to die in fires as any other age group. The death rate for those 85 and over is
four times the national average. Older people are also at higher risk of injury
from fires. The following tips can help protect you and those you care about
from fires and burns.
Install and
Maintain Smoke Alarms.
Install working smoke alarms on every level of your
home, especially near sleeping areas. Test and dust each alarm monthly, and
change the batteries at least once a year.
Smoke alarms have significantly reduced the risk of death or injury from fire. Smoke alarms give people an early warning that allows for early escape. If possible, install smoke alarms away from kitchens and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms. To control nuisance alarms, install alarms with a temporary silencing feature. If you are hearing-impaired, install an alarm that alerts using a visual signal. If necessary, get someone (a relative, neighbor, or fire department official) to help you test and clean each alarm monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Use Smoking
Materials Safely.
Never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the
influence of medication or alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays for smoking
debris, and let the contents cool before you dispose of them. Douse ashes with
water and place ashtrays in the sink.
Careless smoking accounts for nearly one-third of the fire deaths in adults over age 70. It is also a leading cause of fire injuries among older people. If you smoke, never smoke in bed, while drowsy, or while under the influence of medication or alcohol. Use large, deep ashtrays so smoking materials don’t fall out. Warm ashes dumped in wastebaskets can smolder for hours, then ignite surrounding trash. At the end of the day, put the ashtray in the sink, fill it with water, and let it sit overnight before you dispose of the contents. Or, dispose of cigarettes and matches in a metal container, such as a coffee can with a lid, and let it cool overnight. Check furniture for smoldering cigarette butts and ashes before going to bed.
Pay Attention
to Your Cooking.
Keep pot handles turned inward, and keep cooking
surfaces and surrounding areas free from clutter and grease build-up. Use pot
holders and oven mitts. Never lean over a hot burner and avoid wearing loose
clothing with flowing sleeves while cooking. Take a reminder with you (or set a
timer) if you must leave the kitchen with food cooking on the range top.
Cooking fires are a leading cause of burn injuries
among older people. Prevent fires and burns by being watchful and alert when
you cook, keeping pot handles turned inward, not overheating food (especially
fats and oils) and keeping cooking surfaces clean. Always use pot
holders and oven mitts when opening the oven and handling hot pots and pans to
prevent burns. While cooking, never lean over a lit burner and avoid wearing
loose clothing with flowing sleeves, such as nightgowns or bathrobes. These can
catch on fire from a burner. If you must leave the kitchen when you are
cooking, set a timer and take a pot holder or wooden spoon with you to remind
you that food is cooking.
Heat Your Home
Safely.
Have a professional service all heating equipment
annually. Keep combustibles and anything that can burn or melt away from all
heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and water heaters. Never use a range or oven to
heat your home.
Hundreds of fires start each year when things that burn, such as curtains, clothing, bedding, gasoline, or paint solvents, are placed too close to heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, or water heaters. Store flammable liquids like cleaning solvents and gasoline outside of your home. Have at least three feet of clearance in all directions around portable/space heaters. Use the proper fuel for all heating equipment. Change filters in furnaces monthly. Keep chimneys clean. To prevent scalds, set the temperature of your water heater no higher than 120°F. All heating devices should be checked and serviced every year by a professional. Use your range or oven for cooking only — never to heat your home.
Practice
Electrical Safety.
Have a professional electrician inspect your home’s
electrical wiring system at least every 10 years, and make recommended repairs.
Never overload the electrical system. Plug each appliance directly into its own
outlet, and avoid using extension cords. Have an electrician install ground
fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in rooms where water may be present. Install
and maintain electrical appliances according to the manufacturers’
instructions.
Homes more than 40 years old are three times more
likely to catch on fire from electrical causes than homes 11 to 20 years old.
That’s because older wiring may not have the capacity to safely handle newer
appliances and equipment and may not incorporate updated safety features.
Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) are important electrical safety
devices that offer superior protection against dangerous electric shock and
also may prevent some electrical fires. Have GFCIs installed in bathroom and
kitchen circuits, and in other locations where water and dampness may be
present. Call a professional electrician to make sure you have the proper
fuses, find reasons for blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers, replace old
or damaged outlets and install more outlets if needed. You are less likely to
overload electrical outlets if you use no more than one high-wattage appliance
on a circuit at a time. Extension cords are meant for temporary use only, and
should be unplugged when not in use. If you see frayed cords on older
appliances, have the cord repaired; better yet, replace the appliance
altogether.
Keep Matches
and Lighters Away from Children.
Store matches and lighters in a locked drawer or a
high cabinet away from the reach of grandchildren or other youngsters. Make
sure lighters are child-resistant.
Young children are often attracted to products that
can produce flames. Be sure to lock away any matches and lighters when you have
young visitors in your home. Using lighters that are child-resistant can
prevent deaths and injuries. If you light candles in your home, keep them out
of the reach of children. Make sure candles are placed on a wide flat base where
they could be hard to tip.
Know What to
Do in Case of Fire.
Practice two ways out of every room in your home.
Get out as soon as you discover a fire; do not try to fight the fire or gather
possessions. Once out of the house, stay out; do not attempt to enter a burning
home to gather possessions left behind. Immediately dial 9-1-1 or your local
emergency number for help, preferably from a neighbor’s phone.
Planning what to do in case of fire can make the
difference between life and death. You should practice two ways out of every
room in your home. If you use a wheelchair or walker, or otherwise might have a
problem escaping from a fire, discuss your escape plans ahead of time with your
fire department, your family, the building manager, and neighbors. Let them
know about your special circumstances and ask them to help plan the best escape
routes for you.
The most important thing when a fire occurs is to
get out of the house immediately and stay out, then call the fire department.
If you are behind a closed door, feel it with your hand before opening it. If
the door is hot, look for another possible exit out of the room. Make sure
windows can be unlocked and opened, and security bars released. If you are
passing through a smoky area, stoop low so that your head is beneath the smoke.
If your clothes catch on fire, stop, gently drop to the ground, cover your face
and roll to smother the flames. Do not try to fight the fire; that will only
delay your escape. Leave your possessions behind, and never go back into a
burning building for any reason.
For more information about
seniors and fire safety, visit these web sites:
• United States Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management
Agency – Prevent Fire. Save Lives.
Campaign. – www.usfa.fema.gov
• National Fire
Protection Association – www.nfpa.org
• National Association of
State Fire Marshals – www.firemarshals.org
• United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission – www.cpsc.gov
FIRE CODE
The current
To: Owners,
Operators, Occupants of occupancies subject to Annual Inspection to ensure
compliance with the Connecticut Fire Safety Code.
From:
Henry W. Stormer
Fire
Marshal
Re: Requirements
of the
The State of
Occupancy within the town, except one and two family
dwellings be inspected at least
once annually by the Fire Marshal to ensure compliance
with the Fire Code.
An inspection of your occupancy is scheduled
for the month of -----------2007
To facilitate the inspection process I wish to provide
the following recommendations and
attached forms:
- Please
contact those companies you utilize to provide required annual inspections
and testing of Fire Alarm Systems, Sprinkler Systems, Generators, Hood and
Ansul Systems (in establishments cooking foods
with grease laden vapors) and Fire Extinguishers so that they are
conducted prior to the time of inspection.
- Please
ensure that any violations found in past inspections have been corrected.
- Please
ensure that monthly and annual testing and inspection have been conducted
on Emergency Lights, Exit Signs and Fire Extinguishers (forms attached).
- Please
ensure that all exits are clear of storage, debris and other items which
create an impediment to egress, and that all exit doors function properly.
- Please
ensure that all required fire doors and their hardware (self closers,
handles, panic bars) operate properly and that
the doors meet required ratings, and that they close and latch upon
release or operation.
- Please
ensure that there is no storage of combustible items in areas such as
boiler or furnace rooms, and that there is a minimum clearance of 36”
around boilers, water heaters and electrical panels.
- Please
remove any and all electrical extension cords being used on any device not
classified as a portable appliance by the code and ensure that cords
properly used are of required size for t he appliance they are used with.
If you have any questions or
required personalized scheduling please contact this office at your convenience
at 203-262-0620.
FEES
(Effective by ordinance
Site Plan Review $50
Subdivision Plan Review $50
Building Plan Review:
1. Buildings &
Additions (2,000 sq. ft. or less) $50
(2,000 – 4,999 sq. ft.) $100
(over 5,000 sq.
ft.) $250
2. Sprinkler Plan
Review:
Building less than 5,000 sq.
ft. $50
Building over 5,000 sq. ft. $100
3. Fire Alarm:
Building less than 5,000 sq. ft. $50
Building over 5,000 sq.
ft. $100
4. Hood &
Extinguishing Systems: $50
For sprinkler, fire
alarm and hood fees, it includes the Plan Review and two (2) inspections.
Additional
inspections $25/Inspection
5. Final (C O
Inspection) $50
6. Water Tank
Installation & Inspection $100
Additional Inspections $25
ANNUAL INSPECTIONS:
Liquor
License $75
Nursing
home/healthcare $100
Hotel/motel $100
Assembly
Occupancy $50
All others
requiring certificate $50
Cargo Tank
Trucks $50
Tents
(1,200 sq. ft. & Larger) $50
Underground
tank removal (fuel oil/gasoline) $25/tank
Firework
permits $50
Blasting
Permit (set by State Statutes) $20
LPG Tank,
gas line tests (commercial) $50
LPF
Filling Stations $50
Request
for inspection from Fire Marshal office $25
Copy of
Fire Report (plus additional cost for photos $10
Burning
Permits $10
