Everybody loves a BBQ, but please follow some simple rules to keep your friends and family safe!

Safe Grilling Information from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

(Some of the information below is borrowed directly from the NFPA website)

When the warmer weather hits, there’s nothing better than the smell of food on the grill.

Three out of five households own a gas grill, which translates to a lot of tasty meals. But it also means there’s an increased risk of home fires.
Each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling, and close to half of all injuries involving grills are due to thermal burns. While nearly half of the people who grill do it year-round, July is the peak month for grill fires followed by May, June and August.

Grilling by the numbers

• In 2014, 16,600 patients went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills
• July is the peak month for grill fires (17%), including both structure, outdoor or unclassified fires, followed by May, June and August
• A failure to clean the grill was the leading factor contributing to the fire in one –fifth of all grill structure fires (19%). In 17%, something that could catch fire was too close to the grill
• Leaks or breaks were the factor in 11% of grill structure fires and 23% of outside and unclassified grill fires
• Gas grills contribute to a higher number of home fires overall than their charcoal counterparts

Safety tips

• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
• Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.
• Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

Charcoal grills  

• If you have a charcoal grill, purchase the proper starter fluid and store the can out of reach of children, and away from heat sources.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited.
• Never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going. 

Propane grills

• If you have a propane grill, check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles.
• If you determined your grill has a gas leak by smell or the soapy bubble test and there is no flame:
• Turn off the propane tank and grill.
• If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again.
• If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
• All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow of propane before capacity is reached, limiting the potential for release of propane gas if the cylinder heats up. OPDs are easily identified by their triangular-shaped hand wheel.
• Use only equipment bearing the mark of an independent testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
• Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages. If you store a gas grill inside during the winter, disconnect the cylinder and leave it outside.

A final word about cookouts: Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

Questions and answers about the Local Laws that govern gas/charcoal grills:

Question:

I live in an apartment building and my landlord tells me that I can’t have a grill on my deck.  Why?

Answer:

Your landlord is just following the City of Sun Prairie Municipal Code and/or Wisconsin State Law.  Here is the simplified version:

·         CoSP Municipal Code 8.12.010 and Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services code 314 (Commonly known as SPS 314, which adopts model code: NFPA 1 2012 edition) states that gas and or charcoal grills may not be used or stored on wooden decks/patios above grade in multi-family housing (3 units or more).  To put that into common language, if you live in an apartment building or a condominium building that has 3 or more separate residences, and you live above “ground level”—you may NOT use or store your grill on your wooden deck/patio.

o    If you live on the ground floor of an apartment/condo and have a concrete patio—you are allowed by law to store and use your grill safely on that deck.  SPVFD requires that the grill be moved a safe distance (a minimum of 10ft) from the structure before use.

o    If you live in an apartment/condo that has a wooden deck/patio that is above grade, you may store your grill at ground level (check with your landlord/condo association for exact information on where to store the grill outside of the structure)—and you may use that grill once it has been moved a minimum of 10 feet from the structure.

o    Gas/charcoal grills may not be stored or used indoors in the aforementioned property types.

o    According to code, electric grills are acceptable.  This includes wood decks/patios that are above grade in all occupancy types  

o    Pellet grills by definition, use combustion to heat the pellets and therefore follow the same rules as both LP and Charcoal Grills 

Question:

The above information speaks very specifically about buildings with 3 or more dwelling units.  Not much is said about 1 and 2 family homes.  What gives?

Answer:

Sun Prairie Municipal Code and SPS14 do not qualify 1 and 2 family homes as “inspectable” properties; therefore the commercial fire code does not apply.  In simple terms, there aren’t any current laws governing grill storage and use in these properties.  With that in mind, Sun Prairie Fire Department strongly suggests for your safety and your family’s safety, that all manufacturer guidelines and safety tips regarding grill use and storage are followed.

Question:

Where do I find more information on safe grilling techniques and safe food handling?

Answer:

Listed below are some links to follow:

www.cpsc.org  For recall information                 

www.nfpa.org National Fire Protection Assoc.

https://www.hpba.org/Consumer-Information/All-Outdoor-Living-Products/Grill-Safety More Safety tips

http://www.cdkitchen.com/features/tip/15/Grilling-Safety  Safety tips, and recipes.

 https://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/events/summervacations/index.html Food safety stuff

Question:

It almost seems like the fire department is against grilling.  Is it?

Answer:

No, we are not against grilling.  As a matter of fact, most of our firefighters are very accomplished BBQ cooks and love nothing more than a good old fashioned steak off of the grill.  We just want you to be safe while using your grill, so that your barbeque or picnic isn’t ruined by an untimely accident.