Insurance news and information

Flickr photo credit: Robert S. Donovan

The question arises every summer – should you allow your residents to grill on the property premises? If you’re wondering how a contained grill can cause problems, consider this: Over 500 fires occur annually thanks to gas grill usage. Charcoal is no safer – over 20 deaths and 300 injuries occur each year thanks to charcoal and the related carbon monoxide poisoning threat it poses.

In condos and apartment complexes the risk increases. Your residents may not consider that dripping grease, nearby flags or plants, or even an open window into their own unit can create fire and carbon monoxide dangers. If you’ve banned them from use on balconies or attached patios/porches, you’ve gone a long way to preventing a devastating fire or accident.

But what about using grills on the property? Most loss control experts say that a minimum of ten feet away from any building is recommended. Should you allow your residents to use grills in common areas, such as on common patio areas or around pools?

Consider first the traffic in that area. Around pools, young children could come in contact with hot surfaces. Also, pool toys, balls or even water could land on the grill, damaging the grill or causing the propane tank to explode. On common patio areas, the traffic may be less of an issue, especially if you section off an area for grilling. Also, mounting your grill in an approved manner – with 15 feet of separation between grills, with the grills firmly secured to the ground, and following all state and local ordinances pertaining to grill use – will allow your residents the pleasure of the barbecue without the added liability to your association.

Have questions? Give me a call. I can help you determine if your grilling area meets all requirements, plus I can check your association insurance policy to make sure it includes coverage specific to association-supplied grills.