Fe-Wood Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'm considering putting together a shop in Oregon. I've talked to the planning Dept. about the use of a coal forge. The comment I got was if I can make it run within current EPA spec for a fireplace, no problem.... Good luck with that! Any of you guys running a shop in Or. have a forge that has been inspected... and is legal to run? I know lots of business's have them... how does one make it work out? Anyone have insights into the process that might help out? Thanks a bunch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Just from my perspective as a blacksmith and former firefighter who has owned and heated with wood stoves and fireplaces... most coal forges are far safer than fireplaces! I have no idea what the EPA requires though... I'd call and ask them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 i do not believe there are any requirements to run a forge in oregon... it is NOT the same as a fireplace .. having said that a lot of smiths use propane for commercial forging.. where in oregon are you looking at ? you might contact some of the guys in the nwba... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel.85 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Not to change the subject.. but does this mean we will get to see some videos of your big Bradley hammer working hard? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 Not to change the subject.. but does this mean we will get to see some videos of your big Bradley hammer working hard? :) I hope you get to see those video's long before that! I'm working on it and its getting higher on the to do list.... I'm just looking at possibilities is all. The town I'm looking at is small and rural. I'd be "in town" though and it would be nice to have knowledge of someone who runs a coal forge as part of their business. Having answers base on real life experience... When I go for permits... Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironwolfforgeca Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I am in northern Ca on the coast @ the Or line more or less ,no problim here on smoke though i am zoned heavy Ind C4 witch is the way to go zoneing wise ! Where in Or are you thinking to move to I mite know a smith in that area you could talk to ? about red tape needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george m. Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 One thing that you might consider is using coke instead of coal. There are a lot fewer emissions. I suspect that you may not be under under the EPA requirements because a single forge puts out pounds per year instead of tons per day like power plants. Also, actually check the language of your local regs. A planner or land use specialist may be shooting from the hip and not actually reading the regs. For example, I have seen local air quality regs which list stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces but not forges. Also, I have seen others which control wood burning devices but not coal or coke. (On the other hand, if they use the words "solid fuel" the regs would apply to you.) Your also might check with your local health department. Here in Colorado it is the health departments which enforce the state air quality regs, not the cities or counties. In some states the local governments don't have any air quality regulation authority, only the state and the feds have authority to set standards and enforce them. I'd check with the state air quality division and see what they have to say. Emissively, George M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Great suggestions George! Thanks! The city planner was shooting from the hip... Bottom line, If I get a complaint, I need back up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george m. Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dear Fe, Make sure that you are OK with the local zoning as well as any air quality issues. You don't want to get set up and going and then get shut down because you have estabished a commerical use in a residential zone or some other violation. You may have to get a permit for a home occupation if you are working out of your garage or a shop in your backyard. Since I've been a local government attorney these last 25 years, besides being a blacksmith, I have plenty of experience in issues like this and know that the average smith can easily get wrapped around the axle on these sorts of issues. Legally, George M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Dear Fe, Make sure that you are OK with the local zoning as well as any air quality issues. Thanks Geoge! Thats what I'm looking to other smiths for... Precedent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Robert 'Bob' Bourdon was a Vermont blacksmith in on the initiation of the smithing revival in the 1950's, 1960's. I am told that he ran into some regulatory problems regarding his coal forge, and he made an appointment to see the governor of Vermont about this. The governor apparently overrode the restrictions and gave Bourdon a written dispensation. I think that the governor's approval had to do with the long standing history and importance of the smith's craft. Sometimes, piddling regulations and outmoded laws are enforced by those guilty of "petty tyranny." * *expression from author, Edward Abbey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Dave Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Here in Ventura County, Calif, coal forges are not allowed by the AQMD. Their thinking is that as long as there is an alternative fuel, propane, they won't allow those smoke breathing dragons. Even though I explained that they weren't the same, they didn't buy it. If you were out of the city, in the country area, you probably would get away with it. But, all it takes is a call from a neighbor down wind to report you and your done. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george m. Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Dear Frank, That story demonstrates how small states like Vermont or Wyoming work as opposed to large states. In small states it is not uncommon to know the high state officers personally (the Governor of Wyoming was in my law school class and we are on first name basis) and even if you don't have a direct acquaintance there is probably only 1 degree of separation. In Oregon or California or even New Mexico or Colorado I'm not sure how well that approach would work unless you were wired politically. Intimately, George M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric sprado Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 I'm in Oregon. Ruling varies from area to area. I'm in Deadwood Oregon where you do what you want. Except for me,and I ain't talkin, there are three types of folks here: Dope growers,Baptists, and those that are both but won't admit to it!! Kidding aside,all of the smiths I know are outside of city limits and nobody has said a thing. Log on to NWBA site where most Oregon and Washington smiths hang out and ask the question there! Feel free to contact me at: spradoeric@gmail.com or phone 541 964 3224. I can introduce you to local metal smackers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thanks Eric! Do you ever come down to the Weaverville hammer-in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metalmangeler Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I was at the Seatle gift shop wholesale show a number of years ago and met some people from OR I was told they got around a lot of regs by listing their business as an art business. Might be a way to start then you have more people on your side than if you are an evil industrialist. That said my business licence is under manufacturing here, but I would change if I thought it would make any difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Here in Ventura County, Calif, coal forges are not allowed by the AQMD. Their thinking is that as long as there is an alternative fuel, propane, they won't allow those smoke breathing dragons. Even though I explained that they weren't the same, they didn't buy it. If you were out of the city, in the country area, you probably would get away with it. But, all it takes is a call from a neighbor down wind to report you and your done. Good luck. That's funny, up here in Contra Costa County, Calif, I checked with the AQMD and was told less than a half a ton of coal on my property was OK. No emissions restrictions. Of course I'm a hobby smith, and still subject to the "Spare the Air" days when all burning is banned and fined. I still try to keep a low profile, lighting the coal forge only during the week, and using the gas forge on weekends, when neighbors are around. It only takes one grouchy neighbor to bring the authorities down on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason0012 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 I once had a neighbor call the EPA on me. That was back around 89-90. I was told that I would have to report to them only if I were producing something like 60 tons or more of pollutants a year! As I only burned about half a ton of coal a year he figured it was a safe bet that I was well under that. The fire marshal usually insists that I have a good fire extinguisher in the shop but has been pretty cool over the years. The big thing in my experience is don't XXXXX the neighbors. If your chimney is safe and you aren't in danger of burning the place down it should be ok. That said I haven't dealt with air pollution laws the likes of California's. Watch your language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhartironwerks Posted October 30, 2013 Share Posted October 30, 2013 Best guess that you won't have any problems in OR unless your power hammer rattles the neighbors windows. OR has no statutes regulating forges that I know of. OHSA came to my shop about 2 mos ago and asked what my forge was. I asked which one and the inspector didn't know the difference. Probably the only concern is that you have your fire extinguishers up to date and placed where they are unobstructed. I had to move mine to the inspectors desire...no big deal. That, and the fact that I didn't have cover plates on some junction boxes on the ceiling...for the past 20 yrs. I use nat gas mainly and have a coal/coke forge for larger scrolls etc. Pretty clean operation all in all. What they nicked me $100. fine was for noise. Two of us had to wear a monitor and the max db level is 85 over a period of time. That day there was a fair amt of grinding/hammering and the level was 87. I could have contested and maybe won, but... They'll be back as I'm now on the computer. I wrote the check. I showed the inspector all my fingers, and would've shown him my toes had he asked. What more can I say... If you're doing smithing as a hobby/art and/or have no employees, you're good. No OSHA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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