[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington 2-11-1971 by Ord. No. 1299; amended in its entirety 8-14-2014 by Ord. No. 1931. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 85.
Garbage, rubbish and refuse — See Ch. 92.
Nuisances — See Ch. 108.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:
BARBEQUE
Any cooking appliance that is designed for the proper preparation of food for human consumption. For purposes of this chapter, this definition shall include all such devices that are propane or natural-gas-fueled grills, charcoal grills, pellet-fueled grills, wood-fueled grills, and smoking devices.
EXCESSIVE SMOKE/ODORS
Smoke and odors are considered excessive if they are perceptible beyond the property line of the source of the fire and, in the opinion of the Abington Township Police Officer or Fire Marshal, are causing an unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of another person's property.
FIRE PIT
Any receptacle for which the sole purpose is the burning of recreational fires, including but not limited to outdoor fireplaces, braziers, fire rings, fire pits, chimineas, or other similar contained or enclosed structure, not to exceed three feet in diameter or two feet in height.
[Added 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2185]
FIXED DWELLING UNIT FIREPLACE
Any framed or stone masonry fireplace constructed and installed in a dwelling or commercial structure within Abington Township in accordance with all applicable building codes.
FURNACE
Any enclosed device designed for the burning of any material primarily for the production of heat.
GARBAGE
All putrescible animal and vegetable matter resulting from the handling, preparation or cooking of food.
INCINERATOR
Any device designed or used for the destruction or reduction of refuse by burning.
OPEN FIRE/OPEN BURNING
A fire in which the products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or a chimney or in which any material is burned in the open or outside or in a receptacle other than a furnace, incinerator, fire pit or a cooking appliance. For purposes of this chapter, "open burning" shall not refer to road flares, smudge pots and similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses typically considered open flames.
[Amended 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2185]
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, company, syndicate, firm, trust, corporation, department, bureau, agency or other entity recognized by law as the subject of rights and duties.
RECREATIONAL FIRE
A fire set for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, warmth or other similar purposes.
REFUSE
Garbage, rubbish and trade waste and any material or item considered recyclable by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
RUBBISH
Solids not considered to be highly flammable or explosive, including but not limited to rags, old clothes, leather, rubber, carpets, excelsior, paper, ashes, tree branches, tree stumps, leaves, yard trimmings, furniture, tin cans, glass, crockery, masonry and other similar materials.
SALVAGE OPERATION
Any business, trade or industry engaged in whole or in part in salvaging or reclaiming any product or material, including but not limited to metals, chemicals, shipping containers or drums.
TRADE WASTE
All solid or liquid material resulting from the pursuit of any business, trade or industry, including but not limited to plastic products, cartons, paint, grease, oil and other petroleum products, chemicals, cinders and building or construction materials.
Any Abington Township police officer, Abington Township Fire Marshal, or duly authorized agent of the Board of Township Commissioners shall have the power and duty to enforce the provisions of this chapter, including but not limited to:
A. 
Ordering the immediate cessation of any activity prohibited by this chapter.
B. 
Ordering that any fire, cooking, or barbeque be immediately extinguished, abated, diminished or corrected if, upon investigation, the Abington Township police officer, Abington Township Fire Marshal, or other duly authorized agent of the Board of Township Commissioners finds that the fire, cooking or barbeque is in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Such other remedies available at law or as otherwise outlined in this chapter.
A. 
After the effective date of this chapter, no person shall:
(1) 
Ignite or feed an open fire or open burn for the destruction or reduction of refuse or in the conduct of a salvage operation in or on any public or private property in the Township of Abington.
(2) 
Cause, suffer, allow or permit the maintenance of any open fire or open burn for the destruction or reduction of refuse or in the conduct of a salvage operation on or in any property under such person's control in the Township of Abington.
(3) 
Use incinerators (except those legally installed prior to the adoption of this chapter) for the destruction or reduction of refuse.
(4) 
Ignite or feed a recreational fire, except as provided in § 65-3B(5).
[Amended 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2185]
B. 
Exceptions. The requirements of this chapter restricting burning or incineration of refuse shall not apply under the following conditions:
(1) 
A fire may be set by or under the supervision of an Abington Township Fire Marshal or the Abington Township Fire Chief to prevent or abate a fire hazard. Such permission shall be by written application and permit as issued by the Abington Township Fire Marshal.
(2) 
Fires may be set by the Abington Township Fire Chief or his or her designee when necessary for the training of Abington Township Fire Department personnel.
(3) 
A fire may be set in fixed dwelling unit fireplaces.
(4) 
A fire may be set for the grilling, broiling or barbecuing of food, unless such fire is noxious, hazardous, or excessive in the immediate surrounding area by reason of smoke or noxious odors or which emits sparks, embers, brands or hot ash that may pose a public safety threat. In determining whether a condition is noxious, hazardous, or excessive, the Abington Township police officer, Fire Marshal, or other duly authorized agent of the Board of Commissioners shall consider whether the condition:
(a) 
Constitutes or creates a nuisance or health risk beyond the boundary of a site on which the condition is located by reason of dissemination of smoke or noxious odors; or
(b) 
Endangers surrounding areas by reason of fire or explosion.
(5) 
A recreational fire may be set, provided it is contained in a fire pit and follows the requirements of this section, unless such fire is noxious, hazardous, or excessive in the immediate surrounding area by reason of smoke or noxious odors or which emits sparks, embers, brands or hot ash that may pose a public safety threat. In determining whether a condition is noxious, hazardous, or excessive, the Abington Township police officer, Fire Marshal, or other duly authorized agent of the Board of Commissioners shall utilize § 65-3B(4)(a) and (b).
[Added 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2185]
(a) 
All recreational fires must be contained in a fire pit.
(b) 
No refuse (trash), recyclables, construction materials, leaves or trimmings may be burned in a recreational fire.
(c) 
Recreational fires must be three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height.
(d) 
Recreational fires shall be at least 20 feet from any structure, property line, or combustible material.
(e) 
A water source or portable fire extinguisher must be available for immediate use.
(f) 
Recreational fires must be continuously attended until the fire is extinguished.
C. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to bum, ignite, or feed any open fire whenever drought or extreme weather conditions exist or when a ban on burning has been instituted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notice of such restriction shall be posted at the Township Fire Department and the Township building.
[Added 11-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2185]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof by any District Justice, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $300, together with the costs of prosecution. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Upon default in the payment of any fine, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the Township lockup for a period not exceeding five days.