Does the General Permit apply to me?

The general permit may apply to your human or animal crematory if:

• Your crematory is fueled by natural gas, propane, or commercial fuel oils which are No. 2 or lighter, and which meet the applicable sulfur requirements for commercial fuel oil.
• Your crematory has a rated capacity less than 500 pounds per hour.
• You do not cremate human or animal remains whose weight exceeds 500 pounds including the weight of the container.
• Stack test data is available from an identical incineration unit within the past 5 years; otherwise you must plan to perform a stack test.
• Your crematory has an interlock system that ensures you are meeting the work practice standards; or for certain older units, have a written operating procedure.

How do I obtain a permit?

Complete a permit application form, found in DEP's e-library.

If a General Permit will not apply, what should I do next?

If the conditions of the General Permit cannot be met, then you must apply for a Plan Approval before you commence construction and installation of the incinerator.

The Plan Approval application includes the following forms:

• General Information Form
• Compliance Review Form
• Plan Approval Application for Incinerator

In addition, the Plan Approval application will include the required permit fee and proof of notification to the county and municipality where your business is located.

What information will my Plan Approval/Permit Application include?

Be sure to have the following information to successfully fill and complete an application to Pennsylvania DEP:

• Type of cremation unit (human/animal; new/modified)
• Number of cremation units, daily burning hours, rated charging capacity (lbs/hr) of each cremation unit.
• Type of fuel used, fuel usage metered.
• Make and model of temperature monitor and recorder used in primary and secondary combustion chambers, secondary chamber exit temperature.
• Information pertaining to the interlock system including firing and cooling rates.
• Burner capacity, burner make and model.
• Stack height and stack diameter of exhaust, , demonstration of particulate compliance (on-site stack testing OR EPA reference method stack test performed in last five years on an identical crematory).
• Residence time calculations showing that the air stays in the secondary chamber for at least one second.