Barbecuing rules in Somerville?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Hi, I was at a friend's place today, and they had a barbecue going. At some point, the issue came up about some of the rules about barbecues here in Somerville. Are there rules (presumably related to fire hazard) about the minimum distance from your own house or your neighbor's? I assume it would not be allowed to barbecue 1 foot from a house... But is this true? Houses are pretty packed in many Somerville neighborhoods...

Comments

[vonelftinhaus.livejournal.com]

It is the law that you cannot have a grill/bbq on your deck.

Thanks.

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Do you know if one can have it on a concrete surface (not deck), but just a few feet from a neighbor's window? The issue came up because there was some smoke and nearby houses (20 feet or less) had windows open.

Re: Thanks.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

From Somerville Fire Dept pdf regarding outdoor grilling at
http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/BBQ-INFO.pdf

"To be within the requirement of the law and to have a safe cookout, follow these simple steps:

- Set up the grill at ground level and a least ten (10) feet away from the house or any other structure. "

[linked from http://www.somervillema.gov/Department.cfm?dept=FIRE ]

Re: Thanks.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I think ten feet is recommended. I don't know that it is the law.
http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dfs/news/press/200605gasgrill_safety.pdf

Re: Thanks.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Here's the release from 2009:
http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/dfs/news/press/20090520_memorial_day.pdf

[blondeamazon.livejournal.com]

This debate has often come up in my circle of friends because we seem to BBQ frequently. I have also had the fire department show up when some friends were doing fire spinning int he back yard, so it would be useful to know if there is a cut and dry listing of laws, based on city, regarding the different types of fire that can be found in urban areas.

[turil.livejournal.com]

The law is at least 10 feet from a building. I tried to look for it on the city's website, but saw nothing. But there was an announcement by the fire department a few years back that reminded people of this law.

Homeowner's Insurance

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

In addition to legal restrictions, quite a few homeowner's insurance policies stipulate the same 10 foot margin. I know our condo association's policy is quite explicit about it.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Now that I bothered to do a search through Somerville ordninances, I see nothing at all about barbecues, or any other open flames, except for burning leaves (which is not allowed). So maybe the fire department is making it up.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Make that no burning leaves without the fire department's permission.

[mrboboto.livejournal.com]

It's not a law. It is, however, a stipulation of many homeowner's insurance policies (and thus a line item in many leases, if you rent).

[turil.livejournal.com]

Funny how the city likes to pretend things are laws, isn't it?

Interesting...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

It says to place your grill at least 10 feet from your home. But how about the home of your neighbor? If the thing is less than 10 feet from your neighbor's home and there is a fire, I suspect one may be liable... Landlords should be especially vigilant, given the number of fires that are produced by BBQing...

Re: Interesting...

[fefie.livejournal.com]

The pdf from Somerville Police Dept I quoted upthread said "

"To be within the requirement of the law and to have a safe cookout, follow these simple steps:

- Set up the grill at ground level and a least ten (10) feet away from the house or any other structure. "

Not sure whose "law" is it, but presumably the house next door would be considered "any other structure".

Probably a call to 311 would help in this matter.

[midorionna.livejournal.com]

so grilling on a deck is unlawful, or frowned upon? i'm always noticing our neighbors grilling on their deck, while visibly high. makes me very nervous... don't want to narc on anyone, but i also don't want anyone's house set on fire...

Call the city about it...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

It's dangerous.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

If the rule is really ten feet that would make grilling on my, and many other properties in Somerville, totally impossible.

That said, if you are planning on doing this with a charcoal grill, I recommend that you get a grill chimney:



Unlike lighter fluid or fluid-soaked briquettes, they produce virtually no open-flame so it is much safer (in my opinion) to light one in close proximity to a building. Also, your food won't taste like chemicals.

I have to say this whole ten-feet-from-a-structure law (or insurance stipulation) is pretty dumb. You would have to start a pretty substantial fire on your grill in order to cause a fire that would damage a structure 9 feet away. I can't imagine how anyone could do that by accident when using a grill for cooking (as opposed to some other illicit activity). Besides, probably 2/3rds of the world's population cooks all of their food on grills placed less than 10 feet from a structure (not to mention in a partially enclosed area).

Anyway last time I looked into the laws I seem to require them saying that you could not have any kind of open flame within ten feet of the edge of your property line EXCEPT for the purpose of cooking as with a grill. This is essentially hearsay though since I don't remember where I read it. ;-)

OKAY, here is what a friend forwarded....

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

He got an e-mail from the city, apparently:

"According to the State Fire Marshall all barbeque grills must be set up
at ground level and at least 10 feet away from the house or any other
structure. And according to the Chief of the Fire Department, Kevin
Kelleher, "Portable cooking arrangements are not permissible on porches,
balconies, or flat roofs of any private dwelling units, apartment
houses, condominiums, or any other occupancy in the city." "

To report any possible violations you should contact Somerville Fire
Prevention at 617-625-6600 x8400."

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it's state or city law, but outdoor fires are illegal except when cooking. So fire pits, no matter how far from your home, are definitely out.