March-2006 Issue

Fire Code Survey Results

The North Central Texas Council of Governments has recently conducted a voluntary survey regarding specific elements of the Fire Codes in our region’s jurisdictions. The survey asked a number of questions of fire officials throughout the region, including general information such as the current Fire Code used, and more specific information regarding code restrictions as they relate to grills in (multi-family) residential areas. In all, 21 persons responded to the survey.

In general, the results of the survey indicate that a majority of the respondents (76%) are currently using the 2003 International Fire Codes as their fire policy, and (67%) have adopted the NCTCOG’s Fire Advisory Board (FAB) Regional Amendments for use in their jurisdiction. In regard to fire codes as they relate to grills, the majority of the respondents (71%) have policies in their jurisdictions that allow the use of grills in R2 (multi-family) designations. In addition, a majority of the respondents (76%) stated that they have implemented policies regarding the use of grills in R2 designations. Of those policies, a majority of respondents (71%) stated that there is a fire code in their jurisdiction that does not allow the use of grills (charcoal/LPG) within 10 feet of a combustible structure. The majority of respondents (67%) also stated that the storage of grills is allowed within 10 feet of a combustible structure in their jurisdiction.

This was an informal survey and the sample size (the number of respondents) is not large enough to statistically determine the accuracy of the data according to trends and current status. Yet the survey does provide insight into general grill requirements in several jurisdictions throughout the region as they relate to Fire Codes.

If you would like to learn more about NCTCOG’s Regional Code Coordinating Committee or review the regional amendments to building codes, please visit the NCTCOG Regional Codes website at www.nctcog.org/envir/SEEDevEx/codes/index.asp. If you have further questions or comments please contact Stephen Ross, Environment & Development Planner, at 817-695-9277 or by e-mail at sross@nctcog.org.

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