Section 28.1.  Open Fires, Bonfires and Outdoor Rubbish Fires

No open fire of any type shall be permitted at anytime in the City of Woonsocket.  This includes domestic yard trash fires and leaf burning.  Open fire is defined as any fire within which the products of combustion are emitted into the open air and are not directed through a stack or chimney.  Barbecue pits shall be used only for the cooking of food and not as an incinerator.  Charcoals, or similar type cooking fuel, shall be the only fuel permitted in barbecue pits.

Exception:

Burning in containers that have screens and/or chimneys that serve as spark arrestors, with a diameter of no less than thirty-six (36") inches.  Only clean, dry, cord-type firewood or charcoal is an accepted fuel (no yard waste or construction debris).  The fire must be attended at all times by a person who has an available water supply or extinguisher and who is capable of controlling and/or extinguishing the fire, if necessary.

Any Fire Officer may extinguish a fire if, in his opinion:

1) It is not in the proper container or if the container is being used inappropriately.

2) It is too close to combustibles (closer than fifteen (15') feet.

3) Improper material is being burnt.

Penalty for violation.  Any person found in violation of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first offense.  The penalty for the second offense within one calendar year shall be two hundred dollars ($200.00), and the penalty for the third and/or each subsequent offense within one calendar year shall be a fine up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each subsequent offense.

The police have powers to issue citations for violations of this ordinance.

The Chief of the Fire Department or the on-duty Deputy Fire Chief can order any fire to be extinguished at his discretion.

(Ch. No. 7416, Sec. 1, 9-02-08)

Woonsocket Fire Department would very much appreciate donations of United States flags to be flown in honor of your loved one at our 4 fire stations. Anyone wishing to donate a flag please contact  Karen at 765-2500 ext. 6660.

RHODE ISLAND FIREWORKS DEFINITIONS

Public Service Announcement

     The Woonsocket Fire Department is offering a free smoke detector program specifically for low income, elderly, or special needs residents of one, two and three family homes. 

     This program was extended to the Woonsocket Fire Department by the Providence Fire Department and funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

     Five hundred battery-operated smoke detectors are currently available for residents.  Property owners, or occupants who have the owner’s written permission, may call the Woonsocket Fire Department at 765-2500 (option 4), to schedule the distribution of the detection devices.  

     A detailed floor plan, including heating and cooking equipment, will be required for persons receiving the detectors.  Residents are required to install the detectors unless physically impossible due to a medical condition.

      As this is a federally funded grant, a periodic check of the devices may be required to insure that the smoke detectors are still operational.  Battery changes will be at the expense of the owner/occupant(s), at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals.

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 ALTERNATIVE HEATING SOURCES

 With the high cost of heating fuel and natural gas, more people are seeking alternative methods of heating their homes. These alternative methods include such devices as unvented fuel-fired heaters, kerosene heaters, wood stoves, electric heaters, etc. The safe installation and use of these devices is of great concern to the City’s Fire Marshals' Office and the Building Official’s Office.

 Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February, and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round.

Portable and fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, caused a disproportionate share of the home heating fire deaths. Space heaters were involved in 25% of the home heating fires but 74% of the deaths. 

 One of our greatest concerns is the use of unvented fuel-fired heaters. These heaters are capable of being fueled by either natural gas or propane. Though it may be legal to purchase these heaters in Rhode Island, you should check with your homeowner’s insurance carrier to make sure they accept these heaters, and won’t deny your claim in the event of a mishap.

 Many people throughout the City have these heaters, which can be purchased at any local home supply store.  More and more, the Fire Department is responding to properties with these devices, which are found to be installed incorrectly.

 Please read the manufacturer’s specifications on installation and use, prior to beginning the process. The City requires a “Mechanical Permit”, issued from the Building Inspection Division (City Hall) prior to the installation.  If you are using a contractor for installation, make sure they are licensed and insured. 

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