LOWELL, Ark. — A house was offered to the Hickory Creek Fire Department (HCFD) to train with.
The landowners wanted the house destroyed to build their dream home in its location.
HCFD was able to conduct training drills in the house before letting it burn down, including activities such as venting and chain saw operations.
HCFD says, "It also allowed a few of our new people to go interior on their first fire in a controlled environment as well as to see the science behind the fire first hand."
Watch: Hickory Creek Training Burn
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Requirements and Regulations for open burning and fire training
The intentional burning of facilities, including buildings burned for fire training, is considered to be a demolition under federal asbestos regulations. That is true even if no asbestos is present in the structure, according to the EPA.
These things are required for a regulated demolition:
- before burning, a thorough inspection of the structure (or the portion of the structure to be burned) for the presence of asbestos
- removal of all regulated asbestos-containing material, including Category I and Category II nonfriable ACM, before the fire, or fire training, if the activity will disturb those materials in any way
- timely advance notification of appropriate authorities about the planned burning (even before any asbestos is removed, and even if no asbestos is present in the structure)
- See also Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM)
- See also A Guide to Normal Demolition Practices Under the Asbestos NESHAP (EPA-340/1-92-013) for definitions of Category I and II nonfriable ACM
Fire training exercises may also be subject to state and local government requirements, including a permit requirement.
