Open Flames Procedures

Open Flames Procedures

Attached to Policy FIN-INS-16  

Scope

All University properties, all campuses.

Standard

No person may light, build, or use, or cause another to light, build or use, any fire, including but not limited to

• burning candles or incense inside residential buildings,
• sky lanterns with open flames,
• torches,
• or gas or charcoal cooking appliances

on university land or in university facilities except in such places that are established for these purposes.

Excluded are

1. the momentary use of an open–flame device such as a cigarette lighter, butane “stick” lighter or match to light an approved open–flame device such as a pilot light;
2. any use of flames addressed in the University’s hot work procedures ;
3. fires addressed by the University’s open burning procedures ;
4. flames addressed by IU EHS’s standard operating procedures: contact EHS.
5. Usual commercially–made cooking devices such as kitchen ranges.

Additional Information: Grills

• May not be used inside any enclosed structure or building, including tents;
• May not be used on balconies of any such structure;
• May not be used where smoke from the grill would enter a building;
• May not be used under a roof other than a non-combustible roof erected for that express purpose;
• Must be at least 10 feet from any structure (other than roofs described above);
• If LP gas is used
  • The fuel cannot be stored inside any residential building.
  • The grill can be placed on a table IF it is designed as a tabletop grill.
  • The table top must be protected from grease drippings.
• Use must be for cooking food;
• Grill must be in good condition and is subject to inspection by INLOCC;
• If charcoal is used
  • DO NOT dispose of residue until it is cold to the touch.
  • If multiple grills are in use (e.g., tailgating)
    • A noncombustible vessel (e.g., a metal barrel) must be provided for disposal of extinguished ashes.
    • Contact INLOCC for further information. Depending on the fire risk you may need to pay for an INLOCC roving patrol (an ATV with a water tank).
  • If not a tabletop grill, the bottom of the grill must be at least 24" above any
    • combustible surface;
    • above grass or similar natural surface (e.g., area covered with straw);
    • paved areas.
  • Protection from dripping grease must be provided.

Definitions

Residential buildings, in this context, means residential facilities owned or operated by the University.

Links

Policy FIN-INS-16 

Hot Work Procedures 

Open Burning Procedures 

EHS Standard Operating Procedures: contact EHS.

Compressed Gases Training can be found here

History

These procedures were attached to FIN-INS-16 16 August 2017.