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By-law Guide for Pickering Residents
OUTDOOR FIREPLACES
Outdoor style fireplaces currently sold in the Pickering area
such as the "Back Yard Max" (a steel firebox with a screened
opening and short vent stack) and the "Chiminea" (a large clay
fire pot with an opening for a fuel load and a short vent stack)
are not permitted to be used in the City of Pickering.
These units have been designed to be used as open-air burning
appliances. Open air burning (including fire pits) is not
permitted within the City of Pickering and is enforceable under
Ontario Fire Code Article 2.6.3.4. The maximum fine for
contravention of the Ontario Fire Code is $50,000 or one year in
jail, or both.
Concerns regarding the use of these devices include: injury to
persons coming into contact with the appliances hot surfaces,
fire exposure hazards from sparks/embers for both the users and
neighbours property and adjacent trees, grass and weeds. The use
of these devices will generate needless alarms for the City of
Pickering Fire Services.
Outdoor Natural Gas and Propane Fire Pits
However, if you would still like to enjoy an outdoor campfire
without contravening the Ontario Fire Code, there is another
product on the market. Some manufacturers (Napoleon is one of
them) make a natural gas / propane fire pit. It comes with
artificial logs like you would find in an indoor gas fireplace
and produces an actual flame. Because the appliances are CSA/ULC
approved they may be used.
The gas fire pits are considered to be an appliance. An
appliance as defined in the Ontario Fire Code is a device to
convert fuel into energy, and includes all components, controls,
wiring and piping required to be part of the device by the
applicable standard referred to in the Ontario Fire Code.
The Ontario Fire Code regulates solid fuel burning appliance use
and general fire safety. The use of gaseous fuel burning
appliances is regulated by the TSSA. TSSA's Fuels Safety Program
administers the Technical Standards & Safety Act 2000, providing
fuel-related safety services associated with the safe
transportation, storage, handling and use of hydrocarbon fuels
(such as gasoline, diesel, propane and natural gas).
Under this Act, TSSA regulates fuel suppliers, storage
facilities, transport trucks, pipelines, contractors and
equipment or appliances that use fuels. They also work to
protect the public, the environment and property from
fuel-related hazards such as spills, fires and explosions.
The CSA/ULC approved gas fuelled fire pits are approved for use
in Canada, and may be used provided:
- The manufactures
installation, operating, care and use instructions must be
followed exactly. Failure to follow the instructions
exactly may result in a fire, explosion, property damage,
personal injury or death.
- Ontario Fire Code Article
2.4.4.4. states that devices having open flames shall be
securely supported in non-combustible holders and located or
protected so as to prevent accidental contact of the flame
with combustible materials.
- Clearance to Combustibles -
The minimum clearance to combustible materials as specified
in the operating instructions must be maintained at all
times
- Supervision - The operator
must keep the unit under constant supervision when in use.
- Provisions for fire
protection - Provide an adequate extinguishing agent (fire
extinguisher/pail of water/garden hose).
- Instructions and care - the
owner/operator must have a copy of the manufacturers
operating instructions on site and available for review.
For further information please contact the Pickering Fire
Services at 905.839.9968, or email
fire@cityofpickering.com for
more information.
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