Hello,
I used to do my forging out in the country, so this was never really a problem. I've recently just moved to Cambridge (right in the city) and the last thing I want is to set up a forge and have fire trucks at my house handing me a hefty fine for not adhering to local by-laws. Don't get me wrong, I have every intention of setting up my forge safely, but some of the local by-laws are a bit overkill.
For example, "The use of chimineas and factory-built outdoor fireplaces or fire pits are considered to be open burning and would require a permit to be used." Permits are $54/month (pricey), and they come with additional stipulations that are nearly impossible for most people to satisfy (i.e. "Fire MUST be 150M (492 ft.) from any building." I don't know of many people who live in the city who have a property line that's almost 500 ft long, not to mention another 500ft away from a neighbouring building).
Info found here... http://www.cambridge.ca/fire_department/fire_prevention_division/open_burning
I was just wondering what experience any of you had in terms of setting up your forge within a municapality. I'm an amateur, so normally I just wheel out my brake drum forge out of the shed, but I was hoping to build an enclosed, or semi-enclosed structure in the backyard. If a chiminea is considered an open burning fire, I can't see how most forges (unless you're doing propane or something) are much different.
Any advice? I plan to talk to the local fire department, but I'm afraid they'll just tell me "no". There has to be a way around this.
Thanks,
Alex