Apartment property managers/companies:

Since 2003, Georgia Fire Safety Code has prohibited the use of grills on combustible balconies and patios of multi-family dwellings.  This law prohibits the use of a grill, whether charcoal, liquefied petroleum (LP) gas or liquid fired burners on any balcony or patio of a multi-family dwelling where the balcony or patio or the construction of the building are combustible.

A fire code official or law enforcement officer may issue a summons for violations.

International Fire Code, 2018

308.1.4 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:

1. One- and two-family dwellings (including attached single-family dwellings such as townhouses and condominiums).

2. Where buildings, balconies and decks are protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.

3. LP-gas cooking devices having LP-gas container with a water capacity not greater than 2¹/₂ pounds [nominal 1 pound (0.454 kg) LP-gas capacity].

Please notify your tenants immediately as well as all future tenants of this law and be aware that citations can be written to any facility representative and/or tenant in cases where violations are discovered; therefore, use of grills in violation of this section should cease immediately.  For further assistance, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at (770) 794-5466.