Ordinances Article VI—Fire Regulations
Section 1. Adoption of Fire Safety Code
There is hereby adopted by the Town of Washington Grove for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain code known as “The Fire Safety Code of Montgomery County, Maryland” of 1975 (Chapter 22 of the Montgomery County Code of Ordinances), as amended, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended by this Article VI. Not less than one (1) copy is filed in the Office of the Town of Washington Grove. The provisions thereof are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein, and the provisions hereof and any amendments thereto shall be controlling within the limits of the Town of Washington Grove from the date this Section becomes effective, except that Section 22-96, “Smoke Detectors,” of Chapter 22 shall become effective January 1, 1982.
Section 2. Establishment of Office of Fire Official
The office of Fire Official is hereby created and such official shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
Section 3. Burning of Trash in Incinerators
When the Mayor has announced that regular public trash collection is not available in the Town, trash may be burned in incinerators approved by the Fire Official, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The incinerators shall be of standard design or construction, and shall be screened to prevent the escape of fly ash.
(b) Garbage, dead animals, animal waste, rubbish, refuse or other waste which is not easily combustible shall not be burned.
(c) The burning of trash during the months of March, April and May, and from September 15 to December 15, inclusive, will be prohibited except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. E.S.T.
(d) The Mayor or Fire Official may prohibit such burning any time he feels the burning of trash creates a fire hazard.
Section 4. Burning of Leaves in the Open
When the Mayor has announced that regular public leaf collection is not available in the Town, bonfires may be used to burn leaves. The burning by bonfires shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) Bonfires shall be attended at all times until completely extinguished.
(b) Trash, garbage, dead animals, animal waste, rubbish, refuse or other waste shall not be burned.
(c) The burning of leaves during the months of March, April and May, and from September 15 to December 15, inclusive, will be prohibited except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. E.S.T.
(d) The Mayor or Fire official may prohibit such burning at any time he feels the burning of leaves creates a fire hazard.
(e) Bonfires shall not be less than thirty feet from any building or structure. A clear space of not less than ten (10) feet shall be maintained around the bonfire.
Section 5. Burning of Trash on Streets, etc. Prohibited
The burning of trash, garbage, or other debris or material of any kind on public roads, streets, highways, alleys, walkways, and public rights of way shall be prohibited at all times, except that leaves may be burned on unpaved portions of the public right of ways.
Section 6. Fireworks
The discharge or firing of firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes, roman candles, or other explosive fire works, or the selling of any such fireworks within the Town is hereby prohibited, except as and when licensed by Maryland Law.
Section 7. Penalties
Any person found to be in violation of any of the provisions of this Article shall be subject to the actions outlined in Article IX, Penalties – Enforcement – Severability.