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Outdoor Burning

Outdoor Burning: FYI

Recreational:

  • Outdoor Fire Pits
    -Not to be used on balconies and decks
    -Burning rubbish is prohibited. 
    -Fire must be in an approved pit no larger than 3 feet across with a maximum flame height of 2 feet.
    -Fire extinguisher, hose, etc. must be readily available.
    -Fire pit must be 25 feet away from all buildings and combustibles.
    -Open burning that is considered offensive or objectionable due to smoke and odor emissions is prohibited.

  • Barbeque Grills/Portable Fireplaces
    -Must be operated at least 15 feet from a structure or combustible material.
    -Open-flame cooking devices are not to be operated on balconies and decks (See FYI for exceptions)

Agriculture:

  • Burning weeds, grass, etc. is prohibited without a permit. Contact the Farm Bureau at 801-233-3020 for information about obtaining a burn permit.
  • Agricultural fires are limited to:
    -Fence lines on cultivated lands, canals or irrigation ditches
    -Horticulture prunings, stubble, weed growth along ditches and canals in preparation for irrigation
    -Controlled heating for orchards and other crops to prevent freezing

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property!

Fighting small fires
Before you fight a fire be sure that...

1  You are familiar with the extinguisher's parts and operation.
2. You have the confidence to fight a fire.
3. There is no one left in the building.
4. The fire department is being, or has been, called
5. You have a safe, unobstructed escape route
6. Your extinguisher matches the type of fire

Fight the fire with the correct extinguisher! 
Look for the standard symbols or letters to identify which type of fire your extinguisher can put out.

 

CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
Fires involve wood, paper and ordinary combustibles. Fires involve gasoline, oil and other flammable liquids. Fires involve electrical equipment such as appliances, tools, wiring, fuse boxes, computers, etc.


Things to remember when operating a fire extinguisher

  • Read through the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher prior to an event necessitating its use.
  • Remember the acronym PASS:
    Pull the pin
    Aim low
    Squeeze the lever
    Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side
  • Keep your back to an exit and stand 6-8 feet away from the fire
  • The fire may re-ignite, so be prepared to repeat the extinguishing process
  • Although the fire may be extinguished, have the fire department inspect the site.
  • Know when to leave!  Do not attempt to extinguish the fire if it puts your life at risk.
  • Safety must be your first priority. Be sure to have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms. 

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org.
For fun info and activities for kids, visit www.sparky.org.

Fireworks

For a map of restricted areas in Salt Lake County, click the link below.
Fireworks_and_Burn_Restrictions

Updated lists of specific firework restrictions can be found on the State Fire Marshal's website.

General fireworks guidelines

  • Fireworks can be set-off 3 days prior to July 4th and 24th, on July 4th and 24th and 3 days following these dates.
  • Sale and possession of fireworks are limited to those approved by the Utah State Fire Marshal.
    Utah Approved Fireworks List
  • The use of fireworks should be done in a manner that is safe, responsible, and away from buildings and combustibles.

Smoke Detectors

Did you know that two-thirds of home fires that kill children under age 5 occur in homes without a working smoke alarm?

Press Release: Smoke Alarms

The 2003 International Fire Code requires residential smoke detection in all homes and apartment buildings. Smoke detection is required for new and existing apartments and homes. Smoke detection is to be maintained in an operable condition at all times. The building owner or the owner’s designated representative shall be responsible for inspection, testing, and maintenance of the smoke detection.

Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors provide early warning of a fire.  When there is a fire in your home, you are twice as likely to survive when you have working smoke detectors. 

Tips and Guidelines

  • Place one smoke alarm on every floor of your home and on the wall or ceiling of each sleeping room.
  • Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year.
  • Clean your detectors at least once a year. Vacuum out the dust.
  • When your smoke alarm sounds, you only have a minute or two to escape.
  • Develop an emergency escape plan and practice it with your family.

How many smoke alarms do you need?
According to International Fire Code you should install a smoke detector...

1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in he immediate vicinity of bedrooms.
2. In each room used for sleeping purposes.
3. On each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.

Smoke Detectors Save Lives!

Knox Box

Effective March 1, 2008 the Unified Fire Authority will be using the "Knox" brand fire department lock box for all new buildings.

Where is a Knox Lock Box required?
- Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes.  The fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location.

Which key box and locks should I use?
-The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official. An approved lock shall be installed on gates or similar barriers when required by the fire code official.

Who is responsible for key box maintenance?
-The operator of the building shall immediately notify the fire code official and provide the new key when a lock is changed or re-keyed. The key to the lock shall be secured in the key box.

Why should I install a Knox Box?
1. It eliminates needless, costly forced entry damage that may not be covered by your insurance deductible.
2. It assures immediate building entry by firefighters without delay or waiting for building keys.
3. The box protects inventory, equipment and supplies from unnecessary water damage caused by fire sprinklers.
4. It saves you time and aggravation by not having to drive to your building at 2:00 a.m. for a false alarm.
5. You will feel secure about emergency coverage when your building is left unattended. The fire department holds the only key to the Knox Box.
6. Building security after a fire alarm investigation is maintained by simply re-locking the undamaged door.
7. The Knox Box is of the highest lock box security quality available with attack resistant, UL tested reliability.
8. Knox Box products are used by more than 9,000 fire departments.

How do I install a Knox Box?
-You must first order a Knox Box from the web site at www.knoxbox.com.
Detailed order instructions: Knox Box Ordering Info.
Contact the fire department to lock the box after installation!

Fire Hydrants, Addressing, and Access


Fire Hydrants

Hydrants are tested annually by the fire department.
Fire hydrant systems are maintained in an operative condition at all times and are repaired where defective.  Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing must comply with approved standards.

Hydrants in higher elevations, such as ski resorts, Suncrest, Emigration Canyon, etc. require that the company installing the hydrant provides a marker pole.  In areas where hydrants are susceptible to damage, metal pipe bollards may be required.

Please help the fire department by noticing the condition of the fire hydrants in your area.  Damaged hydrants need to be repaired as soon as possible.  If the hydrant is leaking, call your local water company or purveyor.  You may also report the leak to Unified Fire Authority, but we are not responsible for fixing the leak or refilling the hydrant.  For all other questions and comments, please call 801-743-7230.

YOU are responsible for the upkeep of the fire hydrant on your property!

In case of an emergency, fire crews need to have immediate access to fire hydrants. The hydrant must not be damaged or inaccessible due to snow and debris!  A fire can double in size every 2-3 minutes.  It can be a significant delay in fire operations if an Engine crew needs to search for and clear out a hydrant.

  • During winter conditions it is very important to make sure the hydrants near your home or place of business are clear and free of snow. Do not push snow from parking lots up over hydrants.

  • Be sure that a three foot area around the hydrant is clear of any debris or obstructions.
     
  • If you are concerned about how the hydrant looks on your property, you are more than welcome to beautify the space around it with flowers.  But in doing so, be aware that the hydrant must be visible, accessible, and that the possibility of destruction of your plant life around the hydrant is very high in the event of an emergency.
     
  • If you desire, you may apply reflective hydrant marker tape to the fire hydrants in your area.  Go to www.hyviz.com for supplies and assistance. *This is a great Eagle Scout Project idea*

  • Vehicles should park at least 5 feet away from a fire hydrant, but not directly in front of it.  A minimum 10 foot distance in front of a fire hydrant is required. 

Addressing Requirements

New and existing building should have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. 

The numbers must contrast with their background and be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch. 

Please call the Unified Fire authority Code Enforcement Bureau if you have questions or comments. 801-743-7230

Fire Department Access

Fire Department Access Guidelines

Fire apparatus access roads must have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches high.

Where a lane, road, back alley, or portions of a parking lot only have 20 feet clear width for fire apparatus, the curb should be painted red, and "No Parking, Fire Lane" signs should be posted.  It is necessary that you, as a resident, never park in a fire lane.  These lanes must always remain unobstructed in order to prevent any access problems in the event of an emergency.

Driveways in excess of 150 feet require an approved fire department turnaround that complies with the International Fire Code.

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