Grills on city roof decks

**Tartan69** · 11-01-2009, 06:59 PM

I need to get someone from L&I to check out some code-related things at my row home in Fairmount, but have some concerns that I'm hoping someone on here can advise on.

Basically, I have a well-built roof deck on a sub-roof with a propane grill. I remember from some posts on the old Phillyblog that this was generally seen as okay in the city as long as the grill was propane and not charcoal. There are also 5+ other roof decks within a one block radius of my deck that also have similar propane grills, so I took that to mean that this would be ok. The lady I bought my house from (and had lived there for 20+ years) said this was perfectly ok as well. I of course am always careful and responsible and never leave it unattended if I am grilling. It's currently covered for the winter.

That said, when the L&I inspector comes will he fine me for this? Will he not care as long as it is not in use at the time? Or do they just not care about that at all? I also don't want to inadvertently "dime out" any of those 5+ neighbors if he sees their grills when he's up there. Any suggestions?

**niel** · 11-01-2009, 10:44 PM

Don't know what the code says, but there was a fairly bad house fire on July 4 in Fairmount a few years back that was supposedly started by a grill up on a roof deck.

**CHIOSSO** · 11-02-2009, 12:38 AM

Just stash the grill while the L&I guy is at your house.

**Scoats** · 11-02-2009, 08:28 AM

There may be a "corrected on site" option, which means if an inspector finds something, and if you can correct it while they are there, it's not really a real violation or something. It's how the health code works, or seems to.

So if it is something you can change real quick, then you probably don't have to fear an inspector.

**OffSecond** · 11-02-2009, 06:07 PM

according to our local Fire Department. Unfortunately ditto on the bad fire experience except it was in a different area and was a tenant using a propane grill on a deck on top of a restaurant kitchen.

**TEX** · 11-02-2009, 07:03 PM

I recomend purchasing a good quality American made propane tank. When it emptys refill it do not trade it. Some poor quality tanks from China are leaking causing fires.

**stock** · 11-04-2009, 06:43 AM

By code you can't have one.

If you are calling him for help, I seriously doubt they will fine you. They are there to help, they get nasty when you are nasty to them. Work with them and 99.9% of the time they are cool and that's for contractors in the biz. As the homeowner, you will be OK.

Keep in mind, L&I will check for violations, they will not tell you how to fix it, they are not builders. ex if you need a railing on stairs, they will tell you so. They wont tell you what height the railing needs to be for code etc...