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Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Burkholder
Building
10700 Page Avenue
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Telephone: 703-246-4849, FAX:
703-246-4872
TTY: 703-385-4419 |
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Code Compliance Guideline
June 2007
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This publication outlines the prohibited
use of barbecue grills and open-flame cooking devices
in locations associated with residential occupancies in
Fairfax County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and
Vienna regardless of the form of ownership of the occupancy
(i.e. condominium, cooperative, rental, etc.). This publication
does not address bonfires,
controlled buring, recreational
fires, or chimineas,
outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, & similar devices.
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In addition to addressing the prohibited
use of barbecue grills and open-flame cooking devices
in locations associated with residential occupancies,
the fire safety requirements and precautions related to
the use of these cooking devices as well as fire safety
tips for outdoor grilling are provided. The intent of
this publicaion is to provide information to help prevent
unwanted fires resulting from the unlawful or unsafe use
of these cooking devices. Residents of apartment buildings,
multi-family condominiums, and other structures with similar
occupancy who want to use barbecue grills or other open-flame
cooking devices outdoors must take certain precautions
and understand the legal requirements and prohibitions
relating to this activity. Furthermore, the use of most
barbeque grills and open-flame cooking devices on the
balconies or within 15 feet of these structures is against
the law.
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| A)
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Prohibited Use. In accordance
with Section 308.3.1 of the Fire Prevention Code (as amended
by Fairfax County), no charcoal cooker, brazier, hibachi
or grill or any gasoline or other flammable liquid or
liquefied petroleum gas-fired stove or similar device
shall be ignited or used on the balconies or within 15
feet of any apartment building or other structures with
similar occupancy including hotels and dormitories. This
includes all multi-story residential buildings not classified
as a townhouse (see townhouse definition below).
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| B)
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Notification of Tenants. The
management of apartment buildings or other structures
with similar occupancy which have balconies shall notify
their tenants in writing of this prohibited use when the
tenant/occupant initially occupies the building and periodically
thereafter as may be necessary to ensure compliance.
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| C)
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Allowable Cooking Devices. In
accordance with Section 308.3.1.1 of the Fire Prevention
Code (as amended by Fairfax County), cooking devices listed
under Section 308.3.1 of the Code using either electric
or natural gas as a fuel source and listed by a recognized
testing authority will be exempt from the prohibitions
listed in Section 308.3.1. The cooking device shall also
be designed or approved for the use of lava rocks or permanent
briquettes only. The use of any other type of barbecue
grill or open-flame cooking device is allowed provided
the device is located a minimum of 15 feet from a building
or structure and does not pose does not pose a hazard
to life or property.
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| D)
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Prohibited Storage Locations. In
accordance with Section 308.3.1.2 of the Fire Prevention
Code (as amended by Fairfax County), the storage of cooking
devices using flammable or combustible liquids or liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) as a fuel source shall be prohibited
inside of, on any balcony of, or within 15 feet of, any
apartment building or other structure with similar occupancy.
Furthermore, other cooking devices prohibited by Section
308.3.1 such as charcoal cookers, braziers, and hibachi
grills shall not be stored or located on balconies or
patios of any apartment building or other structures with
similar occupancy.
Exception: As permitted by Section 308.3.1.1
of the Code, only listed electric cooking devices using
either electric or natural gas as a fuel source designed
or approved for the use of lava rocks or permanent briquettes
may be stored or located on balconies or patios of any
apartment building or other structure with similar occupancy
provided the device does not pose a hazard to life or
property.
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The reason for this prohibition associated
with apartment buildings or other structures with similar
occupancy including hotels and dormitoriesis is to reduce
the risk of a structure fire, injury, loss of life, and
displacement of building residents/oocupants because of
cooking device use or misuse on balconies and in close
proximity to the structure. Hazards may be caused by a
compressed gas leak explosion, a petroleum or grease based
flash fire, or hot ember ignition of adjacent combustible
materials.
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| A)
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Townhouse Definition. A townhouse
is a single-family dwelling two to four stories in height
having a two-hour fire (party) wall between it and the
directly adjoining structure(s). Furthermore, a stacked
townhouse or similar multi-level residential structure
having horizontal tenant separation between lower and
upper level dwelling units or occupancies is not considered
a townhouse for the purpose of this definition and would
therefore be classified as a multi-family/tenant residential
building such as an apartment building or other structure
with similar occupancy.
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| B)
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Decks and Balconies. The Fairfax
County Fire Marshal strongly discourages the practice
of using barbeque grills and open-flame cooking devices
on, under, or within 15 feet of combustible decks and
balconies attached to townhouses, duplexes, and single-family
dwellings. This recommendation is made in an effort to
prevent the occurrence of unwanted fire spread into dwellings
from the use of these cooking devices.
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| C)
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Separation Distance from the Dwelling.
When a barbeque grill or open-flame cooking device is
used on the combustible deck, balcony, or similar location
attached to a townhouse, duplex, or single-family dwelling
contrary to the recommendation of the Fire Marshal, a
minimum separation distance of 15 feet should be maintained
from any portion of the dwelling. This recommendation
is made in an effort to limit the exposure to the dwelling
to prevent unwanted fire spread when the cooking device
is operated should an accident occur.
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| A)
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Burning of Refuse. The burning
of refuse in a barbeque grill or open flame cooking device
is not an approved method for refuse disposal and is prohibited
anywhere in Fairfax County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon,
and Vienna. Refuse shall mean and include garbage, rubbish,
and trade waste defined as follows:
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Garbage shall mean animal and vegetable
matter such as that originating in houses, kitchens,
restaurants and hotels, produce markets, food service
or processing establishments, greenhouses, and hospitals,
clinics or veterinary facilities. |
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Rubbish shall mean solids not considered
to be highly flammable or explosive such as, but not
limited to, rags, old clothes, leather, rubber, carpets,
wood, excelsior, paper, ashes, tree branches, yard
trimmings, furniture, metal food containers, glass,
crockery, masonry, and other similar materials. |
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Trade waste shall mean all
solid or liquid material resulting from construction,
building operations, or the prosecution of any business,
trade or industry such as, but not limited to, plastic
products, cinders and other forms of solid or liquid
waste materials.
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Materials Producing Dense Smoke.
The burning of rubber, asphaltic materials, combustible
and flammable liquids, impregnated wood or similar materials
which produce dense smoke is considered objectionable,
a hazard and nuisance to the community, and is strictly
prohibited.
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Endangering Persons or Property.
In accordance with the Fire Prevention Code, it shall
be unlawful to deliberately or through negligence set
fire to or cause the burning of combustible material in
such a manner as to endanger the safety of persons or
property. Additionally, no person shall kindle nor authorize
to be kindled nor maintain any permitted fire in such
a manner that will endanger the property of another. Barbeque
grills and open-flame cooking devices used in a hazardous
manner contrary to manufactures' instructions and limitations
for proper/safe operation may violate the Fire Prevention
Code.
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| D)
| Allowable Fuel. Only solid-fuel
materials approved by the manufacturer are permitted to
be used in a particular barbeque grill or open-flame cooking
device, and must be used in accordance with the manufacturers'
instructions, limitations, or safety guidelines. Devices
using portable liquefied petroleum gas cylinders must be
safely used per the manufacturers' instructions.
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Quantity of Fuel. Do not overload
the burn chamber or firebox of any barbeque grill or open-
flame cooking device with too much fuel such as charcoal
or wood. Make a fire that fits your cooking device. Use
only the quantity of allowable fuel the device is designed
to hold in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions,
limitations, or safety guidelines. A fire that is too
large or too hot not only wastes fuel, but can damage
the device and cause a hazardous fire condition.
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Combustible & Flammable Liquids.
Combustible and flammable liquids should not be used to
aid the ignition of fuel contained within a barbeque grill
or open-flame cooking device. However, charcoal lighter/starter
fluid can be used to start a cooking fire in a barbecue
grill using charcoal as a fuel provided the starter fluid
is used sparingly, never applied directly onto an open
flame, and dispensed and used in accordance with manufacturers'
instructions, limitations, or safety guidelines. The inappropriate
use of combustible and flammable liquids may result in
a serious fire hazard possibly endangering other property
which may violate the Fire Prevention Code.
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Extinguishing Equipment. A portable
fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A:20B:C should
be readily available near the location of the barbeque
grill or cooking device.
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Attendance. Cooking fires should
be constantly attended. When using solid-fuel materials
such as charcoal or wood, make sure the fire is completely
extinguished after use. Moreover, do not leave smoldering
fires unattended and ensure all hot ashes, cinders, and
smoldering coals are properly and safely disposed of before
storing the cooking device, going to bed or leaving the
house. When using liquefied petroleum gas fueled cooking
devices, be sure to shut-off the gas supply at the tank
valve after use.
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Dispose of all hot ashes in a safe manner. After the
fire is extinguished, all leftover hot ash material
must be thoroughly dampened, cooled, and stored in a
metal can that is used solely for ash storage. Ashes
that are two or three days old may appear to be safe,
but can still retain enough heat to cause an unwanted
fire. Do not discard hot ashes in a compost pile, paper
bag, cardboard box or anything that is combustible.
Also, be careful in handling partially burned wood.
The wood may still be smoldering and cause a serious
burn.
In accordance with the Fire Prevention Code, hot ashes,
cinders, or smoldering coals shall not be deposited
in any combustible receptacle and shall not be placed
within 10 feet of other combustible material including
combustible walls and partitions or within 2 feet of
openings to buildings. It's The Law!
For additional information about the proper and safe
disposal of the hot ashes refer to the Fire & Rescue
Department's "Can Your Ashes" publication.
This publication is available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fr/download/canyourashes.pdf
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Gas and charcoal grills must only be
used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces,
such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and risks
of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings
and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
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| Place grills a safe distance from
lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic.
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| Declare a three-foot "safe
zone" around the grill to keep children and pets away.
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| Put out several long-handled grilling
tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and
flames when flipping burgers and managing food on the grill.
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| Periodically remove grease or
fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited
by a hot grill.
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| For charcoal grills, purchase
the proper starter fluid and store the container out of
reach of children and away from heat sources.
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| G)
| For charcoal grills, never add
charcoal starter fluid when the cooking has already been
ignited, and never use any flammable/combustible liquid
other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.
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| H)
| For gas grills, check the gas
cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time
each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the
hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.
If you determine your grill has a gas leak, by smell or
the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame: 1) Turn off
the gas tank and grill; 2) If the leak stops, get the grill
serviced by a professional before using it again; 3) If
the leak does not stop, call 911.
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| If you smell gas while cooking,
immediately get away from the grill and call 911. Do not
attempt to move the grill.
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| All gas cylinders manufactured
after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD).
These devices shut off the flow of gas before capacity is
reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas
if the cylinder heats up. They are easily identified by
their triangular-shaped hand wheel.
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| K)
| Use only equipment bearing the
mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers'
instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
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| Never store propane gas cylinders
in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside
during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it
outside.
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Please visit our web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire/prevention
for additional fire prevention and code compliance information.
If you have any questions regarding the use of barbeque grills
and open-flame cooking devices in locations associated with
residential occupancies, please contact the Fire Inspections
Branch at 703-246-4849 during normal business hours.
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Fairfax County is committed to a policy
of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will
provide this document in alternative formats and in different languages upon
request. Please call 703-246-4753 (TTY: 711 or 1-800-828-1140) or write: Office of the
Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Division, 10700 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA
22030. Please allow at least seven working days for preparation of material.
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