Open Burning/Cooking
Open Burning for Cooking Purposes Permit Requirements
All activities associated with outdoor cookouts (all types, including propane-fueled and charcoal) are strictly regulated by the Boston Fire Department. The Boston Fire Prevention Code, Article XI. Fires In the Open Sections 15.01 amd 15.02 [the two sections of Article XV] detail the requirements that must be satisfied to obtain an outdoor, open burning permit. A few of the basic requirements include (1) the fire must be extinguished when the wind velocity exceeds 15 m.p.h.; (2) the fire must be continuouly supervised by a responsible adult; and (3) no fire shall be within 30 feet of any building or structure or combustible materials.
It is always necessary to get approval permits from both the Fire and Inspectional Services Departments. WITHOUT THE TWO PERMITS YOU CANNOT HAVE AN OUTDOOR COOKOUT ON CAMPUS. The steps you must take to obtain these permits are summarized below.
1. Boston Health Department (BHD) Inspectional Services Unit 635-5326. If you plan an open fire and comply with the fire code regulations, you must first get an "extended use of premises" permit from this department. You must have this before the fire deparment will consider granting you a permit. The ISD office is located at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue.
2. Boston Fire Prevention Department (BFD) 343-2187 Contact Lt. Hansen. A permit for the use of propane must be obtained from this department. You must present both the (1) inspectional services permit and (2) a letter fom the "owner" of the property (the Chancellor or her designee) indicating her knowledge of the cooking activity and details of the cookout event. The permit fee is based on the amount of propane used - one, 20 cubic feet container costs $5.00, two or more containers cost an additional $25.00. The EH&S office has been informed that there are no fee exemptions for state institutions. The BFD is located at 115 Southampton Street which is withing walking distance from the ISD office.
Always contact the EH&S office at 7-5445 whenever you plan an outdoor cookout. There are important fire watch details that have to be discussed with the event supervisor. You cannot have a cookout unless there is a 40-B:C UL Classification portable fire extinguisher on site. You can borrow one from the EH&S office on a temporary basis.
