Posted on 06/03/2004 4:32:02 PM PDT by paulat
People who live in apartments or condos might want to grill their burgers sooner rather than later, because outdoor barbecues will be banned on the decks of many buildings across the state beginning July 1.
Beginning July 1, new building codes prohibit the use of open-flame gas or charcoal barbecues around balconies unless there is a sprinkler overhead. The rules apply to multifamily residential buildings, which are defined as three or more attached units.
The changes come from a new 600-page International Building Code, which merges the country's three regional building codes.
Washington state's Legislature approved adoption of the new rules last year after the State Building Code Council recommended it. The council provides independent analysis and advice to the Legislature and the governor on state building code issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at king5.com ...
There have been a couple of apartment fires in this city because of unattended grills. People tend to eat and drink while forgetting they have a fire burning at the back door.If they were only endangering themselves I probably could care less, but it is usually the folks on the next floor that face the greater danger.
The best thing to do is just ban it.
Has there ever been a recorded instance of an apartment building being burned because of a hibachi on a balcony or a BBQ on a deck?
My problem with the IBC regulation is how broad it is. It essentially says no barbecues at a multi-family units. Not specific kinds of structures where there would be danger (which I would agree with), but broad sweeping control. Townhouses with concrete patios are treated the same as wooden apartment buildings with wooden steps. The issue of safety is being used as a tool to make sure people live the perfect lives the Utopianists dream of - and the IBC definitely had input from the Utopianists.
It's the same thing as set-backs in zoning. I have no problem with 10 or 20 foot setbacks between wooden structures to prevent the spread of fire. What they've turned into, though, are 75 and 100 foot setbacks with mandatory 'screening' plants in the setback to make sure no one has to see your home or business. That's how the planning community takes rules that make sense and use them to try to rebuild our communities. People don't seem to understand that their freedom isn't being taken away by these fire codes. Their freedom was already taken away when they created fire departments, 911 systems, etc.
You've got that right. The 911 system is insidious, having been sold to us as a way to ensure the ambulance/fire truck can find your house, but being used to build a statewide database of who everyone is and where they live. In the USA, the government should not be maintaining those kinds of lists. That's the first step toward government telling us where we will live (which is one of the stated goals of a number of lobbying groups).
Uh, not really.
The ICC is new body (1994) that pretty much the joined various old Code Authorities, like BOCA, ICBO and the SBCCI (to name a few). And no community is obligated to follow the Code, in part or in all. It up to them to adopt their own standards. They can take it as written, lessen the standards (to an extent) by adopting a different Bodies Code Section, or they can exceed them. Again it's up to them.
BTW, BOCA used to be the main Code Authority in the 'most' of the country and it's codes where extremely loose to say the least. (I wouldn't live in a building only built to BOCA standards)
Now if you want a tough Building Code, the City of Chicago has the toughest in the nation (that Chicago Fire thing). And 'we' used to sigh in relief when we see a specification that said BOCA was the governing Code Authority for a project in a particular suburb.
Oh and even with the ICC codes (or whatever local code) you still have NFPA, UL and about a dozen other 'standards' that have to be complied with and are mostly tougher.
And then you have the local code inspector who is usu one step above MORON and 'wants what he wants'. Or the local Fire Marshal on a power trip who first approves the plans and spec's and then says, "oops -- now I want the whole building to have a sprinkler system." The only problem is that the money for that isn't is the construction loan and then the whole frickin project comes to a crashing halt as the Bank says no-way!
Anyway, it will be interesting to see exactly how may other communities adapt this section of the code (or just stay with NFPA) as the Architectural and Engineering reasons why it's not practical or financially viable are countless.
That is not feasible. You would have to get everyone in the building to agree. With people moving in and out all the time, that would be a huge hassle. You would have to get people in buildings that are next to the no fire service building to sign a waiver because of fire exposure problems (depending on how close the building are to one another, of course). Also you would have to put up large signage to make sure no visitor entered a no fire department service building without making that choice knowingly.
Also there is no way Firemen are going to listen to people screem for help in a burning building and not do something, and such a haphazard last second attempt at rescue would do more harm that good. Yeah, you could leture me about how us officers should have more control over our men and you would be right. But, the fire ground is a chaotic place, not a lecture hall.
"Their freedom was already taken away when they created fire departments..."
This is not true.
People decide to do these things through area self-governance. The elect bodies that make decisions for the group as a whole. This is not "taken freedom". Fire departments do not adopt codes, the people representing the area do.
There have been a lot more apartment fires due to unattended stove top cooking than outdoor grilling. Is that being banned?
That does it. No cooking should be allowed in apartments.
Relax - this is wise. A lot of people are sloppy and start fires, especially in small patios on apartments or condos.
My apartment complex forbids it also, and I think it is a good idea. We have several grilling areas set aside in the complex which is very thoughtful and nice, and gets a good workout often. It's the smart was to do it and much safer.
yep we just got a new gas grill and was told nope it has to come off the balcony or be fine $500.00
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