Article II. General precautions against fire

Section 9-11. False alarms and false information.

It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to five a false alarm of fire in the town, or knowingly to proclaim that any fire is extinguished or out when such is not the case. (Ordinance 519 aka E-34, effective 5/7/1967)

Section. 9-12. Tampering with fire hydrants.

It shall be unlawful for any person other than a member of an organized fire department or any employee of the town or of the Easton Utilities Commission to open or operate any of the fire hydrants in the town, and such opening or operation shall be allowable only in line of official duty, and with standard wrench for such purpose. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-13. Burning combustible materials; Fire Pits.

(a)  It shall be unlawful for any person to burn trash, leaves, lumber, straw, grass or other combustible material within the Town limits except in a furnace, stove or built-in incinerator. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

(b)  Outdoor fire pits shall be permitted on private  property provided the  following terms and conditions are adhered to:

(1)  There is no applicable burn ban in effect.

(2)  The fire pit is made of steel, brick or masonry material.

(3)  An officer or fire fighter called to the property is confident that the fire is or will stay contained to a fire pit.  No fire of of any kind is allowed if it constitutes a hazard or a danger to public safety.

(4)  The fire pit is constantly attended to by a responsible adult. A fire extinguisher, dirt, sand, water barrel, or a garden hose is readily available.

(5)  The material being burned is natural, i.e. wood or kindling. The burning of household rubbish, construction debris, grass clippings and/or leaves is prohibited.

(6)  The fire pit is not closer than 15 feet in all directions from any structure or combustible object.

(7)  The flames are not higher than two (2) feet.

(8)  The responsible adult ensures that the fire will be completely extinguished at the end of use.

Section 9-14. Hot ashes.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place hot ashes in any wooden box, barrel or container or on any wooden floor within the corporate limits of the town. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-15. Stoves and heating devices; installation.

Stoves, ranges, furnaces and other heating devices and their connecting pipes shall be so installed as to comply with usually accepted rules of safety as interpreted by the building inspector or by the chief of the fire department; provided, however, that no such heating device, connecting flue, or smoke pipe shall be installed or erected in violation of any requirement or rule contained in the building code of the town. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-16. Storage of oily waste and rags.

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or permit to be kept any oil waste or oily rags unless such waste or rags shall be kept in a metal can with a self-closing cover which can is standing on metal legs. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-17. Accumulation of rubbish.

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit on his premises any dangerous accumulation of rubbish, waste paper, boxes, shavings or other flammable or combustible material which is so situated as to endanger person and property. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-18. Obstruction of exits.

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit on his premises any condition which shall obstruct or restrict the free use of fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows for egress of occupants in case of fire. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-19. Closing fire-doors and windows.

Fire doors, fire shutters and fire windows on exterior openings, when not required to be open, shall be closed by the occupant or occupants of the building having the use or control of them. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-20. Storage of matches.

Matches stored in mercantile establishments shall be in covered, metal-lined bins. (Ordinance 5 effective 1/1/1941)

Section 9-21. Bonfires.

No person shall make or assist in making any bonfire in or upon any public street or place within the town without the written permission of the fire chief. (1967 Code by Ordinance 519 aka E-34 effective 5/7/1967)