The Town Council recognizes and finds that although outdoor
hydronic heaters and outdoor wood boilers may represent an economical
alternative to conventional heating systems, such systems should not
be located or used in such a manner as to compromise the health, safety
and welfare of the citizens of the Town of Johnston. Such outdoor
furnaces can cause harmful emissions, offensive odors, smoke, soot,
fumes and other conditions that may constitute a public nuisance.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ALLOWABLE FUELS
Clean wood; wood pellets made from clean wood; manufacturer-approved
fuels, provided that they are not prohibited fuels; and home heating
oil that companies with the applicable sulfur content limit or natural
gas may be used as starter fuels for dual-fired outdoor hydronic heaters.
CLEAN WOOD
Wood that has no paint, stains, or other types of coatings,
and wood that has not been treated with, including, but not limited
to, sealants, copper chromium arsenate, creosote, or pentachlorophenol.
HEATING SEASON
Period beginning October 1 and ending May 1, inclusive.
NEW OHH
An outdoor hydronic heater that is installed after the effective
date of this chapter.
NUISANCE
An activity which substantially interferes with the right
to use and enjoy property.
OPACITY
The degree to which emissions other than water reduce the
transmission of light and obscure the view of an object in the background.
OUTDOOR HYDRONIC HEATER or OUTDOOR WOOD BOILER (SOMETIMES REFERRED
TO HEREIN AS "OHH")
A freestanding accessory structure, as defined in the Zoning
Ordinance, housing a wood-burning furnace, with a smokestack, used
to provide heat or hot water to a building or accessory structure:
A.
Designed to burn wood or other approved solid fuels;
B.
That the manufacturer specifies for outdoor installation or
installation in structures not normally occupied by humans (e.g.,
garages); and
C.
Designated to heat building space and/or water via the distribution,
typically through pipes, of a fluid heated in the device, typically
water or a water/antifreeze mixture. This includes without limitation
any structure, equipment, device, or apparatus, or any part thereof,
which is installed, affixed, constructed or located outdoors for the
primary purpose of combustion of solid fuel, including but not limited
to wood, to produce heat or energy used as a component of a heating
system.
PROHIBITED FUELS
Any wood that does not meet the definition of "clean wood";
rubbish or garbage, including but not limited to food wastes, food
and beverage packaging, or food wraps; tires; lawn clippings, leaves,
brush trimmings, or general yard waste; materials containing plastic;
materials containing rubber; waste petroleum products; paints and
paint thinners; chemicals; coal; any type of paper/cardboard; construction
and demolition debris; plywood or other composite wood products; particle
board; salt water driftwood; manure; animal carcasses; asphalt products;
any material prohibited for combustion by state or federal law or
regulation; and lighter fluids, gasoline or chemicals to start the
flames are prohibited.
RESIDENTIAL-SIZE HEATER
A heater with a rated thermal output of 350,000 Btu's
per hour or less as rated by the test method identified in this chapter.
UNTREATED LUMBER
Dry wood that has been milled and dried out but has not been
treated or combined with any petroleum product, chemical, preservative,
glue, adhesive, stain, paint or other substance.