Burning of buildings

Can I burn my old house/barn?: No, but your local Fire Department may be able to burn the structure during a fire training exercise. Air Management regulations regulate the burning of houses for several reasons. Homes typically contain materials which form hazardous air pollutants during combustion. The open burning of materials like carpeting, shingles, electrical wiring and appliances, plastic pipes, drywall and paint may cause localized odors and emit hazardous air pollutants.; In addition, any asbestos-containing material would release asbestos fibers during this burn. Asbestos is a carcinogen and is regulated by the USEPA and the State of Wisconsin. All asbestos must be removed prior to any burning.; Fire Departments may want to start a fire in an old house when they do annual or initial firefighter training. If your local Fire Department plans to burn your home, you will need to comply with federal asbestos NESHAP regulations contained in chapter NR 447, Wisconsin Administrative Code. The property must be inspected by a certified asbestos inspector, all asbestos material must be removed, and a notification form must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Department at least 10 working days prior to the planned burn. If a demolition method other than burning is used, the asbestos NESHAP requirements must be met for all commercial and developmental projects. Single (one structure only), isolated (not part of a larger project) residential-type structures are exempt from these requirements, except when such structures are used for fire training burn practice. Fire departments may also need to submit any applicable fees.; Call your local Air Management Engineer or Patrick Kirsop at 608-266-2060. If this is a municipally or commercially owned structure, NESHAPs apply and inspections and notifications are required no matter what the demolition method. See also DNR asbestos information.