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Fire
Chris Carbon, Fire Chief

Grill Guidelines

The rules about grilling depend on what type of grill you’re using.  The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and City of Madison Fire Department recommend the following grill safety tips:

LP Gas Grills

  • If Less than 2½ pounds:
    • Cannot be used within 10 feet of combustible construction.
    • May be used within 10 feet of a 1- to 2- family home, but maintaining a 10-foot distance is highly recommended.
    • May be used on a balcony protected by automatic sprinklers.
    • Okay to store on any balcony
       
  • If more than 2½ pounds:
    • Cannot be used within 10 feet of combustible construction.
    • May be used within 10 feet of a 1- to 2- family home, but maintaining a 10-foot distance is highly recommended.
    • May be used on a balcony protected by automatic sprinklers AND exterior stairs (balcony must have exterior stairs).
    • Cannot be stored on decks or balconies above the first floor, except for 1- to 2- family homes or on a balcony that has exterior stairs.
    • Must be at least five feet away from building openings such as doors and windows (cannot be stored on small balconies).
    • Cannot be stored in or transported through buildings.

Natural Gas Grills

  • Cannot be used within 10 feet of combustible construction.
  • May be used within 10 feet of a 1- to 2- family home, but maintaining a 10-foot distance is highly recommended.
  • May be used on a balcony protected by automatic sprinklers.
  • Natural gas must be hard-piped and must follow the Fuel Gas Code requirements.

Charcoal, Pellet, or other open-flame grills

  • Cannot be used within 10 feet of combustible construction, including multi-family buildings.
  • May be used within 10 feet of a 1- to 2- family home, but maintaining a 10-foot distance is highly recommended.
  • May be used on a balcony protected by automatic sprinklers.
  • May be stored on any balcony.
     

Electric

May be used on any balcony; however, electric grills must be UL Listed and used in accordance with its listing. This includes maintaining a minimum clearance of 3 feet from combustible materials and using an appropriate power supply. 

Electric grills that use wood smoking pellets or other similar items must be treated the same as pellet grills.

Download our Guide to Grilling!

An illustration of the grilling guidelines described on this webpage
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