Republic of Rwanda (2020) Instructions no 0002 of 14-02-20 determining the modalities of the open air burning with an aim of solving particular problems.pdf

Republic of Rwanda (2020) Instructions no 0002 of 14-02-20 determining the modalities of the open air burning with an aim of solving particular problems.pdf


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RWANDA ENVIRONMENT s.
} MANAGEMENT AUTHCRITY EREMA
= (REMA) SS

Same
Republic of Rwanda


INSTRUCTIONS NO @2.4... OF Ad... / QH / 2020 DETERMINING
MODALITIES OF THE OPEN AIR BURNING WITH AN AIM OF SOLVING
PARTICULAR PROBLEMS

The Director General of REMA;

Pursuant to Law N°48/2018 of 13/08/2018 on environment, especially in Article 44;
Hereby issues the following Instructions:

Article One: Purpose of these Instructions

These instructions determine modalities of the open air burning with an aim of solving
particular problems.

Article 2: Definitions
Under these instructions, the following words shall mean:

1° Campfire: fire designed for cooking or warmth that meets the following
conditions:

(a) the site of the fire is bare rock or other non-combustible material 2

(b) the space above the one(1) metre area around the fire is at least three (3)
metres from vegetation and;

(c) the flames of fire do not exceed one (1) metre in height and one (1) metre in
diameter.

2° Competent person: a person of at least twenty one (21) years old with at least
minimum skills in fire fighting;


3°

open-air burning: any fire or burning practice that is conducted outside a
building and includes but is not limited to, small confined fires and large
confined fires, fires in burn barrels, in air curtain incinerators, outdoor
recreational fireplaces, prescribed burning, and construction site and demolition
site fires.

Article 3: Prohibition of open air burning

Open air burning is prohibited except for open air burning for specific circumstances

determined by these instructions.

Article 4: Particular cases where open air burning is allowed

Open burning is exclusively allowed in following circumstances:

1°

pe

30

4°

campfires and other fires used solely for recreational purposes and ceremonial
occasions such as cremation and mourning and campfire;

fires purposely set for agricultural control of disease and pests;
fires purposely set for the prevention of fire spreading or nuisance;

open air burning for education purposes about prohibited substances or training
on firefighting.

Article 5: Material prohibited from burning or use in burning

Open-air burning or use in burning process of the following materials is prohibited:

1°

ge

3°
ae
5°
6°

treated construction and demolition waste or materials including roofing
materials;

hazardous substances including but not limited to batteries, household
chemicals, pesticides, asbestos, used oil, gasoline, paints, varnishes, and solvents;
tires and rubber materials;

any plastic materials ;

treated or painted wood ;

combustible material/ product.


Article 6: Wood to be used in open burning

The wood to be used in open burning must be dry, clean and not coated by any coating
material such as paint or glue.

Article 7: Open air burning clearances

Open air burning for education purposes, campfires and other fires used for
recreational purposes must meet these clearances:

1° 500 meters from a medical facility;

2° 500 meters a school or a care facility;

3° 100 meters from neighboring occupied dwellings;

4° 45 meters from hydro, telephone, and cable utility lines;

5° 15 meters from any building, structure, hedge, fence, vehicular roadway of any
kind, nature or overhead wires except for ceremonial or recreational purposes;

6° 100 meters from a landfill;
7° 100 meters froma forest or woodland;
8° 200 meters from a petrol station, petroleum or as storage facilities.

Open-air burning shall be constantly attended and supervised by a competent person
who must ensure that the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the site where
the fire was burning.

No materials may be burned upon any street, curb, gutter or sidewalk or on the buffer
zones of water bodies protected by the Law except campfires.

Article 8: Diligence in open air burning process

A person conducting open-air burning shall pay attention to avoid any adverse effects,
including:


1°

9°

3°

4°

5e

6°

ie

8°

9°

impairment of the quality of the natural environment ;

injury or damage to property or to plant or animal life;

harm or material discomfort to any person;

an adverse effect on the health of any person;

impairment of the safety of any person;

rendering any property or plant or animal life unfit for human use;
loss of enjoyment of normal use of property;

interference with the normal conduct of business ‘

nuisances including but not limited to excessive smoke, odour, dust, airborne
sparks, or reduced visibility on roadways or airfields.

Prior to leaving the site, the open-air burn shall be completely extinguished by soaking

the material with water. Ashes from the open-air burn shall be cold prior to the site

being vacated.

Article 9: Open Air burning control

The authority in charge of environment may, restrict or suspend open air burning
activities at national or specific location level, during episodes of poor air quality.

Episodes mentioned in Paragraph One of this Article are linked with adverse effects on

human health, the environment and public safety.

Article 10: Commencement

These instructions shall enter into force on the date of their signature.

Done at Kigali, on......0.0 no. <5 CEMENT >


1 4 FEB 20200