Portable Cooking Grills and Fire Prevention
The specific code sections as outlined in the Florida Fire Prevention Code (FFPC), 7th Edition are as follows:
Cooking Equipment
NFPA 1:10.10.6 Cooking Equipment
NPFA 1:10.10.6.1 For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, or within 10 ft (3 m) of any structure.
THIS WOULD APPLY TO ALL SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED (> 3 UNITS), TOWNHOUSES, VILLAS AND APARTMENTS.
NFPA 1:10.10.6.1.1 (Florida specific)Listed electric portable, tabletop grills, not to exceed 200 square inches of cooking surface, or other similar apparatus shall be permitted.
THIS PROVISION ALLOWS THE USE OF LISTED ELECTRIC PORTABLE AND TABLETOP GRILLS THAT DO NOT EXCEED 200 SQUARE INCHES OF COOKING SURFACE AREA.
NFPA 1:10.10.6.2 For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill, or other similar devices used for cooking shall be stored on a balcony.
THE FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE (FFPC) PROHIBITS ANY COOKING DEVICES TO BE STORED OR USED ON A BALCONY.
NFPA 1:10.10.6.3* Listed equipment permanently installed in accordance with its listing, applicable codes, and manufacturer’s instructions shall be permitted.
*10.10.6.3 It is not the intent of this paragraph to allow the permanent installation of portable equipment unless it is permitted by its listing.
Storage of LPG Cylinders
The storage of LPG Cylinders within a Residence are as follows:
NFPA 1:69.5.3.5 Storage Within Residential Buildings. Storage of cylinders within a residential building, including the basement or any storage area in a common basement of a multiple-family building and attached or detached garages, shall be limited to cylinders each with a maximum water capacity of 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) and shall not exceed 5.4 lb (2.4 kg) aggregate water capacity per each living space unit. [58:8.3.5]
AS STATED THIS DOES NOT ALLOW THE STORAGE OF THE RESIDENTIAL 20 LB. LPG CYLINDERS WITH A TOTAL OF 47.6 LB WATER CAPACITY THAT ARE COMMONLY USED WITH PORTABLE COOKING GRILLS. IT STATES THAT THE CYLINDERS SHALL BE LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 2.7 LB. WATER CAPACITY AND NOT EXCEED 5.4 LB. AGGREGATE WATER CAPACITY (2.7 LB. X 2 CYCLINDERS = 5.4 LB.).
PLEASE NOTE:
MANY CONDOMINIUMS OR APARTMENT COMPLEXES HAVE REGULATIONS ON THE USE OF PORTABLE GAS GRILLS THAT EXCEED FLORIDA FIRE PREVENTION CODE REQUIREMENTS. PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT STAFF OR THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION TO VERIFY THE REQUIREMENTS OR EXCEPTIONS THAT MAY APPLY FOR THEIR USE.