Backyard fires

mikedevice · October 2009

Anybody know what the rules are for having fires in a back yard? Someone on my block does pretty regularly and it stinks up my whole apartment (and I'm sure many of my neighbors' as well). I don't know what they are burning, but judging by the smell and amount of smoke, its probably not clean dry firewood.

It stinks even with my windows closed, and it sucks to come home to an apartment that reeks like a campfire. I'm curious if it's illegal or just rude and annoying.

squindar · October 2009

Open burning of residential wastes in any city or village, or in any town with a population of 20,000 or more (in NYS) has been prohibited since 1972.

Once considered harmless, open burning has been found to release more dangerous chemicals into the air than thought generations ago. A recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with DEC and the State Department of Health, found that emissions of dioxins and furans from backyard burning alone were greater than all other sources combined for the years 2002-04. The study also found that burning trash emits arsenic, carbon monoxide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, lead, hydrogen cyanide and other harmful chemicals. Trash containing plastics, polystyrene, pressure-treated and painted wood and bleached or colored papers can produce harmful chemicals when burned.

I'd call 311. Repeatedly. And if that doesn't get them to stop, I'd start calling the fire department.

park place · October 2009

I thought you can do it with a permit?

squindar · October 2009

under very limited circumstances (like, if you're doing a film shoot), otherwise you're allowed to use a charcoal, natural gas, or LPG BBQ

http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/firecode/table_of_contents.shtml

see Chapter 3, section 307

modsquad · October 2009

unfortunately, it is a waste of time to call 311 for something like this and there is nothing in between 311 and 911. You're simply reporting a fire and FDNY doesn't take any potential risk lightly. Their response might be considered heavy handed but it will put an end to the backyard fires.

modsquad · October 2009

modsquad wrote: unfortunately, it is a waste of time to call 311 for something like this and there is nothing in between 311 and 911. You're simply reporting a fire and FDNY doesn't take any potential risk lightly. Their response might be considered heavy handed but it will put an end to the backyard fires.

To be clear(er). Don't worry about being accused of wasting their time with something too small. If it involves "fire" and it is breaking the law and it sounds like that is what it is via squindar's link then they will only respond to a 911.

mantic · October 2009

If they are doing it regularly, i doubt they are burning garbage, debris etc. Sounds like someone cooking jerk or smoking meat and fish.

mikedevice · October 2009

thanks modsquad & squindar. I didn't want to waste anyone's time if it wasn't against the rules.

mantic- I wish they were cooking something. That wouldn't really bother me, as it would smell better. Moldy palletes or whatever don't make for very good smoked meat. It's more like burning cardboard/scrap wood, while yelling and playing beer pong. On a Sunday/Monday night. It's awesome.

squindar · October 2009

mantic wrote: If they are doing it regularly, i doubt they are burning garbage, debris etc. Sounds like someone cooking jerk or smoking meat and fish.

from what I read in the fire code, that, too, would be illegal, unless done on charcoal, natural gas, or LPG

unrepentant fenian · October 2009

It is considered an open burn if it uncovered. If they have a fire pit or outdoor fire place with even a screen over the top to catch the larger embers and they are more than 10 feet from adjacent buildings then they are well within the law. You have no legal grounds to complain as long as it is contained so I would start with reconnaissance and a conversation. I had neighbors call the fire department on me for a backyard fireplace and the responding engine company informed my dipshit neighbor that I was legit. Even had a fire extinguisher handy. Had they just talked to me we could have worked something out.

squindar · October 2009

the responding company was wrong.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/firecode/faq.shtml

item 3.2

modsquad · October 2009

squindar wrote: the responding company was wrong.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/firecode/faq.shtml

item 3.2

Agreed, There is nothing in the Fire Code, Building Code, Charter, Administrative Code, and Rules of the City of New York that mentions, addresses or defines "fire pit", "outdoor fire place" or "screen".
It is not the first time that the FDNY has misinterpreted laws and/or rules on site.
My experience as of late is that firemen are thinking digital and not analog. Something that not very long ago that would be considered harmless and dismissed with a wink and a nod is now treated as a gateway to something catastrophic.

mantic · October 2009

squindar wrote: [quote=mantic]If they are doing it regularly, i doubt they are burning garbage, debris etc. Sounds like someone cooking jerk or smoking meat and fish.

from what I read in the fire code, that, too, would be illegal, unless done on charcoal, natural gas, or LPG

duh... ummm you cook jerk chicken and smoke fish with varios types of charcoal. I looked at code site presented here and only thing I saw was no BBQin on balconies etc.

millzie · October 2009

Subject: open fires in brooklyn backyard

It is illegal to have an open fire in any area of NYC - FDNY regulation.
A BBQ is ok however!!!

spnder · October 2009

Subject: Re: open fires in brooklyn backyard

millzie wrote: It is illegal to have an open fire in any area of NYC - FDNY regulation.
A BBQ is ok however!!!

As long as the bbq is burning coals, propane or natural gas... got it. Guess I'll be putting coals in my new portable fire pit this winter...

stooplady · October 2009

[-X [-X :roll: Call the fire department immediately and don't feel embarrassed. A couple of years ago my neighbor was burning leaves in the back yard...during a severe drought! I couldn't believe it and although it felt a bit strange I did call the fire department. She was ignorant...even her husband couldn't believe it.
Also, you will remain, more or less, anonymous.

lovefreshair · June 2010

Subject: Park Place Open Pit Fire

I love a campfire when out in the woods as do most others who go camping, but when it comes to my own outdoor space the smell of burning wood and smoke from it can be quite bothersome.
The open pit fire coming from the backyard on Park Place (between Grand & Classon Avenues) is becoming a nuisance. The warmth coming from the ground level may be nice and cozy for those circled around it, but what travels up and into the air is something else. From what I've read it's not healthy and something most would not care to breathe in most especially if you have respiratory problems which a member of my family has.
Surely there must be something those affected by it can do to put a stop to it, or at the very least curtail it. Any suggestions?

Backyard fires

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