Did you know?
Ways to prevent grill fires and injuries:
Barbecuing on Balconies
If you live in an apartment or condo building, check your lease agreements or condominium rules find out if barbeques of any kind are allowed on your balcony.
Ask your superintendent or property manager if you do not have a copy of the rules and regulations specific to your building.
In most cases, balconies are not designed for the use of barbeques as they are not large enough to provide enough clearance from combustible materials (things that can burn).
Smoke from the barbeques can drift into nearby apartment units causing concerns for other residents. Smoke may also enter through windows, doors or air intakes and cause false smoke alarms and fire alarms.
Please be considerate of fellow residents and do your part to prevent a false alarm caused by smoke or a fire caused by a barbeque.
If barbecues are permitted in your building, there are still some regulations you need to be aware of:
Ontario Fire Code Considerations
The Ontario Fire Code does not specifically prohibit the use of barbeques on balconies. However, in the event of fire damage resulting from a barbecue, the owner or resident may face some liability for resulting damage.
Please be advised that the Burlington Fire Department does not give approval for balcony barbecuing due to the following concerns:
Resources:
Technical Standards & Safety Authority: http://safetyinfo.ca
Canadian Safety Council: https://canadasafetycouncil.org/sites/default/files/PDF_en/bbq_basics.pdf
Health Canada Barbecue Safety: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-garden-safety/barbecue-safety.html