New Charcoal Grills Rules
By Don King | New Britain Fire Marshall at September 11, 2023 | 8:30 am | Print
This past July a fire in a multiple family home on Jubilee Street caused approximately $60,000 dollars in damage. The fire occurred around midday and spread quickly from the third floor exterior rear porch to the home’s roof causing heavy damage. After a thorough investigation, it was determined that a charcoal grill was the point of origin. Fires like this contributed to a fairly recent change in the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code.
Effective this past May, the following change to the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code applies to all multiple family homes in the City of New Britain. “For other than one- and two-family dwellings, no hibachi, grill or other similar devices used for cooking, heating, or any other purpose shall be used or kindled on any balcony, under any overhanging portion, within 10 feet of any structure”.
This change to the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code may be perceived as an inconvenience to some people, but the City of New Britain has a place where amateur grill masters can go to cook the delicious food their friends and family have grown to love. The New Britain Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department has picnic areas for rent in A.W. Stanley Park. These picnic areas are available starting Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day. Picnic permits for the 2016 season are available in the Parks and Recreation Office starting January, 2016.
Some residents of multiple family homes may be disappointed that they can no longer grill on certain areas of their property, but the City of New Britain has stepped up once again by providing a more fire safe area where delicious grilled food can be enjoyed. Please contact the New Britain Fire Marshal’s Office at 860-826-4310 for any questions or concerns in regard to this change to the Connecticut State Fire Prevention Code. For more information about the picnic areas located in A.W. Stanley Park please contact the New Britain Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at 830-823-3360.
