How to Stay Compliant When Using an Air Curtain Burner: Permits, Materials, and Title V

Air curtain burners are one of the most effective ways to manage vegetative waste on site. But using one the wrong way or without the right permits can quickly lead to fines, shutdowns, or bigger problems with your local or state environmental agency.

If you're running land clearing jobs, fuel reduction projects, or looking for an alternative to grinding or hauling, this is your guide to staying compliant. Here’s how the regulations work, what materials you’re allowed to burn, and when you might need a Title V permit.

What Is an Air Curtain Burner?

An air curtain burner is a machine built to dispose of wood waste and other clean vegetative materials by burning them efficiently while controlling emissions. Unlike open burning, which lets smoke and particulates escape directly into the air, an air curtain burner uses a high-velocity stream of air to create a “curtain” over the burn chamber. This curtain traps smoke and particles, reburning them at high temperatures and dramatically reducing visible emissions and air pollution.

Contractors and municipalities use air curtain burners for land clearing, storm debris, forestry work, and reducing landfill loads. They provide a cleaner alternative to open burning and grinding, and help you meet tough air quality regulations with less smoke, less ash, and more efficient waste reduction.

What You Can and Can’t Burn in an Air Curtain Burner

One of the biggest compliance issues with air curtain burners comes down to what you put in them. Here’s a breakdown:

Allowed Materials in an Air Curtain Burner (Clean Wood Waste)

• Tree limbs and brush
• Stumps and roots
• Yard trimmings
• Untreated lumber
• Natural logs and branches

These are considered clean, vegetative waste and are typically allowed under both temporary permits and Title V stationary operations. Clean wood burns hot and clean, and is considered carbon neutral by federal standards.

Prohibited Materials in an Air Curtain Burner (Hazardous or Treated Waste)

• Pressure treated lumber
• Plywood
• Painted or stained wood
• Creosote treated timber (railroad ties, utility poles)
• Construction debris or engineered wood products

These materials release toxic chemicals when burned and are regulated as hazardous waste. Burning them can lead to permit violations, health risks, and environmental damage.

If it’s treated, painted, or manufactured, it doesn’t go in the burner.

When You Need a Permit for an Air Curtain Burner

There are two main permitting scenarios in the U.S., based on how and where the machine is used.

1. Temporary Burn Permit

If you’re using an air curtain burner on a short-term job like land clearing, forest fuel reduction, or storm cleanup, you’ll likely need a temporary burn permit.

Issued by:

• Local fire marshal
• Forestry department
• State environmental agency

Typical limits:

• Up to 6 months per location
• Must follow air quality guidelines such as visible emissions and allowed materials

These are treated similarly to open burning permits, but with much cleaner performance thanks to the air curtain system.

2. Stationary Use (Long-Term Site)

If your air curtain burner is running regularly at a fixed location such as a landfill, waste transfer station, or permanent facility, you may need a Title V permit.

Issued by:

• Your state air quality office under EPA rules (40 CFR Part 60)

Most air curtain burners qualify for an abbreviated Title V process when burning only clean wood waste.

What Is a Title V Permit and Who Needs One

A Title V permit is part of the federal Clean Air Act. It applies to facilities that emit regulated pollutants. While air curtain burners are low emission compared to open burning or grinding, they still fall under this rule if used as a stationary source.

If your burner operates:

• At a permanent site
• More than 6 months at one location
• Or processes high volumes of waste continuously

Then you’ll likely need Title V coverage.

What It Requires:

• Maintain less than 10 percent opacity during steady operation
• Test opacity using EPA Method 9 (visual smoke test by a certified observer)
• Keep testing records for 5 years
• Burn only clean vegetative waste without fuel additives

Temporary emergency use like after a hurricane or wildfire may be exempt.

Why It Matters: Compliance Isn’t Just Red Tape

Running a permitted air curtain burner keeps your operation legal, but it also protects your business from unexpected costs and downtime.

Benefits of staying compliant:

• Avoid state fines, permit delays, or forced shutdowns
• Reduce landfill tipping fees by burning on site
• Improve environmental impact by avoiding black carbon and non-biogenic CO2
• Meet inspection requirements for municipal or government contracts

Grinding waste creates micro-particulates and CO2. Open burning creates smoke and enforcement risk. Air curtain burners solve both problems while still giving you high-volume waste reduction right at the jobsite.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning to use an air curtain burner, compliance is part of the job. Know what you can burn, get the right permit for your setup, and stay inside the EPA’s opacity limits. Whether it’s a one-off land-clearing project or a long-term operation, you can run clean, fast, and by the book.

Have questions about permits or choosing the right machine? Our team at Machinery Partner is here to help. We can connect you with compliant equipment and guide you through what’s required in your state. Contact us - 888-297-0623 or check out all out air curtain burners for sale.

* You should always have the right permits in place before you buy or run your machines. Contact your local state and county to find out what exact permits and regulations are in place for your area.