Sec. 22-86. Hot ashes and other dangerous materials.

   No person shall deposit hot ashes or cinders, or smoldering coals, or greasy or oily substances liable to spontaneous ignition, into any combustible receptacle, or place the same within ten (10) feet of any combustible materials, except in metal or other noncombustible, covered receptacles. Such receptacles, unless resting on a noncombustible floor or on the ground outside the building, shall be placed on noncombustible stands and in every case shall be kept at least two (2) feet from any combustible wall or partition, or exterior window opening. (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1.)

Sec. 22-87. Chimneys, heating appliances, etc., to be maintained in safe condition.

   (a)   Generally. All chimneys, smokestacks or similar devices for conveying smoke or hot gases to the outer air and the stoves, furnaces, incinerators, water heaters, fire boxes or boilers to which they are connected shall be constructed and maintained in such a manner as not to create a hazardous condition.

   (b)   Spark arresters. All chimneys, stacks and flues including incinerator stacks which may emit sparks that create a fire hazard shall be equipped and maintained with a spark arrester. Such spark arrester shall be of approved construction. (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1.)   

Sec. 22-88. Open fires generally.

   Where permitted by the provisions of chapter 3 of the County Code, burning by open fires shall be subject to the following conditions:

   (a)   Open fires shall be attended at all times until completely extinguished.

   (b)   Garbage, dead animals, animal waste, tires, plastic, rubber and other materials which create dense smoke or emissions injurious or noxious to people or property shall not be burned.

   (c)   It shall be unlawful for any person to kindle any open fire except leaf burning, cooking fires or recreational fires without first notifying the central fire communication center of such burning. Where burning continues for more than one (1) day the Montgomery County department of fire and rescue services shall be notified prior to 8:00 a.m. on each day of burning.

   (d)   The Director may prohibit such burning at any time the Director determines that the kindling of an open fire creates a fire hazard.

   (e)   Except for those fires used for cooking food on property occupied by a single family dwelling open fires shall not be less than thirty (30) feet from any building or structure.

   A clear space free of ignitable materials not less than ten (10) feet in diameter shall be maintained around the fire.

   (f)   The burning of material of any kind on public roads, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, and public rights of way shall be prohibited at all times.

   (g)   Where open burning is being conducted under the terms of a permit issued by the department of environmental protection, the permittee shall be personally responsible for the fire at all times. The permit shall be in the possession of the person supervising the burning at all times.

   (h)   No person shall kindle a fire upon the land of another without permission of the owner thereof or his agent. (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1; 2016 L.M.C., ch. 30, §1.)

   Cross reference-Open fires, § 3-6.

Sec. 22-89. Decorative materials generally.

   Cotton batting, either natural, artificial or manufactured, straw, dry vines, leaves, trees, or other highly flammable materials shall not be used for decorative purposes in show windows or other parts of commercial, industrial or institutional occupancies unless flameproofed; provided, that nothing in this section shall be held to prohibit the display of saleable goods permitted and offered for sale. Electric light bulbs or fixtures or any heat producing device in any building shall not be decorated with paper or other combustible materials whether flameproofed or not. Exit doors, exit lights, fire alarm sending stations, standpipes and fire extinguisher locations shall not be concealed or obstructed by any decorative material. (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1.)

Sec. 22-90. Electrical wiring.

   (a)   Maintenance. It shall be unlawful to maintain any electrical wiring appliance, apparatus or device in violation of the Montgomery County electrical code.

   (b)   Notice and discontinuance of fire hazard. When any hazardous electrical installation is brought to the attention of the Director, he shall notify the authority enforcing the electrical code, and may order use of such installation discontinued immediately. (1975 L.M.C., ch. 23, § 1.)