I used to really enjoy grilling on my terrace. Back in the day I was grilling something pretty much every summer weekend. It's been a while. I think the last time was 2013. A whole bunch of stuff happened that threw me off my game. Anyways, I'd really love to get back to grilling, except for one thing. Last summer the building management put up a notice saying that an FDNY fire inspector had paid... [more]
I used to really enjoy grilling on my terrace. Back in the day I was grilling something pretty much every summer weekend.
It's been a while. I think the last time was 2013. A whole bunch of stuff happened that threw me off my game.
Anyways, I'd really love to get back to grilling, except for one thing.
Last summer the building management put up a notice saying that an FDNY fire inspector had paid a visit and discovered grills and gas fired devices on the terraces. The notice stated that having these items is in violation of FDNY fire code. Grills were to be removed from the property immediately.
Well, I haven't grilled since then. Gave my Weber away, etc. Up until that notice it never occurred to me that I might have been doing something illegal.
But I've been doing a lot of research. According to everything I can find it breaks down like this:
1. Propane grills are a no-no because that stuff can explode
2. Charcoal acceptable, provided you're at least 10 feet away from the building
3. I can't find anything that backs up the idea that simply having a grill is somehow in violation of FDNY fire code
How strictly are these grilling laws enforced? What would be the penalty be if you were caught grilling? Is this a jaywalking thing where everyone just does it anyway?
And, even if I was to get caught, what's at stake? I'm rent-stabilized, so I definitely don't want to screw that up.
Also - I've got sort of a funny shaped terrace. I can get ten feet away from the outside wall of the building, but that's it.
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Response by UptownSpecialist
over 7 years ago
Posts: 139
Member since: May 2013
I am not an expert in this area- but I did deal with it a number of years back in my own building. It's not just 10 feet away from the building- but also 10 ft away from anything flamable. In our building, we had the space to move 10 ft away from the building- but then it was underneath a tree. Also, it wasn't just FDNY we had to concern ourselves with. The insurance company forced our hand- and the grills had to go. The building insurance was needed, the grills were not- and they told us that the grills needed to go, or they would cancel our policy.
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Response by Squid
over 7 years ago
Posts: 1399
Member since: Sep 2008
Presumably your terrace is part of the building premises so the 10-ft-away rule likely doesn't apply...
Also, if something were to go wrong your insurance would likely be null and void. Do you really want to take that chance? And, if you are rent stabilized and are caught doing something against code, that could be easy grounds for your landlord to break your lease. Is any of this worth the risk? Only you can answer that...
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Response by nyc_sport
over 7 years ago
Posts: 809
Member since: Jan 2009
You can buy an electric grill, and the rules do not apply. But, beside the 10 foot rule, I believe you are required to have a water source or a pail full of water.
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Response by front_porch
over 7 years ago
Posts: 5316
Member since: Mar 2008
The other way to do is to have a dedicated gas line set up -- that's what the newer buildings in Tribeca do on their rooftops. @nyc_sport I would have the bucket be full of sand rather than full of water, but having a way to put a fire out certainly make sense.
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Response by Lanzz
over 7 years ago
Posts: 106
Member since: Jun 2010
I did both the illegal gas grill and an electric grill that met all FDNY and building requirements. While the gas grill cooked better, it wasn't worth the risk. The Char Broil Patio Bistro Infrared electric grill is good enough and takes all the legal concerns off the table. It loses a lot of heat when you open the lid, so you need to be strategic when you are cooking - but I used to do hot dogs, burgers and chicken for 6 or 8 people all the time and it worked great.
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Response by NicoleNestApple
over 7 years ago
Posts: 22
Member since: Feb 2013
@ midtown474 , wanted to share this Streeteasy thread. Nicole
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I am not an expert in this area- but I did deal with it a number of years back in my own building. It's not just 10 feet away from the building- but also 10 ft away from anything flamable. In our building, we had the space to move 10 ft away from the building- but then it was underneath a tree. Also, it wasn't just FDNY we had to concern ourselves with. The insurance company forced our hand- and the grills had to go. The building insurance was needed, the grills were not- and they told us that the grills needed to go, or they would cancel our policy.
Presumably your terrace is part of the building premises so the 10-ft-away rule likely doesn't apply...
Also, if something were to go wrong your insurance would likely be null and void. Do you really want to take that chance? And, if you are rent stabilized and are caught doing something against code, that could be easy grounds for your landlord to break your lease. Is any of this worth the risk? Only you can answer that...
You can buy an electric grill, and the rules do not apply. But, beside the 10 foot rule, I believe you are required to have a water source or a pail full of water.
The other way to do is to have a dedicated gas line set up -- that's what the newer buildings in Tribeca do on their rooftops. @nyc_sport I would have the bucket be full of sand rather than full of water, but having a way to put a fire out certainly make sense.
I did both the illegal gas grill and an electric grill that met all FDNY and building requirements. While the gas grill cooked better, it wasn't worth the risk. The Char Broil Patio Bistro Infrared electric grill is good enough and takes all the legal concerns off the table. It loses a lot of heat when you open the lid, so you need to be strategic when you are cooking - but I used to do hot dogs, burgers and chicken for 6 or 8 people all the time and it worked great.
@ midtown474 , wanted to share this Streeteasy thread. Nicole
https://streeteasy.com/blog/grilling-laws-nyc/