HOMEAbout Orange TwpTrusteesContact UsFAQ
Fire DeptNewslettersParks CommRoadsSite MapZoning

 

Orange Township Fire Protection Regulations for Multi-family dwellings and Subdivisions and Commercial Uses

 

Fee Schedule

 

Certification of Approval


NEWS RELEASES

 

   
FOLLOWING SEVERAL TRAGIC FIRES STATE FIRE MARSHAL REMINDS OHIOANS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SMOKE DETECTORS 12/5/07

State Fire Marshal Michael P. Bell today reminded Ohioans that properly placed and functioning smoke detectors double the chances of escaping a residential fire. This reminder comes following several fatal fires in Ohio over the past two weeks. 

“We have seen tragic reminders from all over the state during the past two weeks of how important it is to have smoke detectors in our homes,” said Marshal Bell. “Seconds matter in a fire and a working smoke detector could provide that valuable time needed to escape.”

Since November 24, fires in Ashtabula, Columbus, Shaker Heights, Toledo, Troy, Violet Township and West Chester have claimed the lives of 13 Ohioans, including eight children. In each of these fires, smoke detectors weren’t present, didn’t function properly or were placed in an ineffective location. Almost 90 percent of Ohio’s civilian fire deaths occurred in homes that had no functioning smoke detector. The most common cause of a non-functioning smoke detector is due to the removal of the battery for an alternate use.

“Smoke detectors are a small, but life saving investment for your home,” said Violet Township Fire Chief Kenn Taylor. “With the holidays approaching, I would encourage everyone to consider giving smoke detectors as gifts.”

Marshal Bell offers the following tips regarding smoke detectors:

  • Install a smoke detector on each level of your home and inside each bedroom.
  • Consider using dual sensor smoke detectors that combine ionization and photoelectric technology in one unit.
  • Check your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least twice a year.
  • Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke detectors.
  • Do not remove batteries to put in other appliances such as personal stereos or games.
  • If cooking smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Wave a towel, open a window or turn on the range fan to clear the smoke.
  • Smoke detectors wear out over time. Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years.
  • Keep smoke detectors clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their operation. Vacuum over and around your smoke detector regularly.
  • Hard wired smoke detectors with battery back-ups should be considered. When one smoke detector goes off, the others alert you to fire, too. The batteries in these types of detectors also should be changed twice a year.

 

STATE FIRE MARSHAL URGES OHIOANS
TO HEAT HOMES SAFELY 11/30/2005

(Columbus) -- State Fire Marshal Stephen K. Woltz is reminding Ohioans to focus on fire safety when heating their homes this winter and to use extra care if relying on alternative heating sources to save money on heating bills.

“We want Ohio families to stay both safe and warm. Safety should be your number one consideration when heating your home. Unless the focus is on safety first, the results can be devastating,” said Marshal Woltz. Last year, in Ohio, seven people died and 41 people were injured in 593 heating related fires in homes throughout the state. Those fires resulted in $10 million in losses.

Marshal Woltz stresses the importance of having your home's heating system checked annually by a qualified professional. Furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and their chimneys should be inspected and cleaned prior to the start of every heating season.

Be certain you use alternate sources of heating, such as portable and kerosene heaters and wood burning stoves, according to their instructions and with extreme caution. For any space heater remember that - Space Heaters Need Space – at least three feet from anything that can burn.

To avoid falling victim to carbon monoxide -- a colorless, odorless, potentially deadly gas produced by fuel-burning equipment, such as furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces, and kerosene heaters -- install at least one carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas. Call the fire department if the alarm sounds. Also, make sure you have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home and inside each sleeping area to alert you in the event of a fire.

Marshal Woltz suggests giving smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as gifts this holiday season. He also offers the following additional safety tips to help you have a fire safe winter.

Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves
· Allow enough clearance between a wood burning stove and combustible materials such as walls, floors and ceilings.
· A wood stove should be placed on an approved stove board to protect your floor from heat and hot coals.
· Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire, and never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering.
· Use a fireplace screen to prevent any sparks from reaching out and igniting nearby objects.
· Never use gasoline or lighter fluid to start a fire.
· The immediate area in front of a fireplace (approximately 3 ft.) should not have a rug, carpet or exposed wood flooring.
· When lighting a gas fireplace, strike your match first, then turn on the gas.
· Burn only dry, seasoned wood and dispose of the cooled ashes in a closed metal container outside of your home.
· Never leave a fire burning unattended in the fireplace.

Portable Space Heaters
· When buying a space heater, look for a control feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.
· Never leave a heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep, and do not leave children or pets unattended around any heating source. Unplug it when you are not using it.
· Don't use an extension cord with an electric portable heater. The current from the heater could melt the cord and cause a fire.
· Don’t plug more than one heating device into an outlet.
· Never use electric heaters near water – like in your bathroom or near a water heater.

Kerosene Heaters
· Make sure the room has proper ventilation.
· Fill your heater with only crystal clear, K-1 kerosene. Do not use any fluid that is not recommended for your heater. Refuel outside, and only after the heater has cooled down.
· Check the wick every couple of weeks during the heating season. If the wick is dirty, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
· Since a kerosene heater has a constant open flame, it should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, gasoline or any type of oil.

Propane
· Like many other efficient fuels, propane is highly flammable. That means it can be dangerous if not handled properly.
· If using a propane fueled heater, make sure it is designed for indoor use and properly vented. Read all of the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is properly vented.
· Do not use propane barbecues (or any other type of barbecue) indoors.
· If you smell gas, do not operate any switches, appliances or thermostats. A spark from one of these could ignite the gas. Get everyone outside and away from the building. Shut off the gas supply. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s phone.

Generators
· If you have a portable generator, make sure you place it in a well-ventilated area. Read the manufacturer’s instructions before using it.
· Be sure generator fuel is properly and safely stored according to fire regulations. Never store fuel or flammable liquids in a basement or near an open flame. Always refuel the generator outdoors and away from any ignition sources.
· If you choose to have a generator permanently connected to your home’s electrical system, make sure a licensed electrician installs it and be sure to notify your electric company. Improperly installed generators can cause multiple types of hazards not only for you but for power company workers as well.