May I grill on my balcony?

Due to concern throughout the Northbrook Fire Department’s jurisdiction regarding the use of grills on combustible balconies and on balconies on combustible buildings, the adopted code related to grill use and the Northbrook Fire Department’s enforcement policy regarding grill use on balconies is as follows:


International Fire Code 2006ed. Section 308.3.1 308.3.1 Open-flame cooking devices. Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices shall not be operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction. Exceptions include one- and two-family dwellings and where buildings, balconies and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system.


308.3.1.1 Liquefied-petroleum gas-fueled cooking devices. LP-gas burners having an LP-gas container with a water capacity greater than 2.5 pounds [nominal 1 pound (0.454 kg) LP-gas capacity] shall not be located on combustible balconies or within 10 feet (3048 mm) of combustible construction. As reference the standard round tank used on a stand-a-lone grill that you can exchange is considered to be 18 lbs in water weight. Exception: One- and two-family dwellings. This is not an ordinance unique to Northbrook but rather part of a national standard adopted by the Village of Northbrook as early as 2002 when the Village adopted the 2000 edition of the International Fire Code.


When a grill is noted on a balcony during any future inspection of a property or from a complaint, it will be brought to the attention of the management company/association. The management company/ association will be directed to address the issue with the unit. If the unit will not comply, then the Northbrook Fire Department will begin the fining process for any non-compliant unit. The end result is a citation. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Fire Marshal Kevin Frangiamore at the Fire Prevention Bureau at 847-272-4501

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1. How can I schedule a public education event or tour of the fire station?
2. May I grill on my balcony?
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