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Barbecue safety bulletin

The following guidance outlines considerations for general barbecue safety for both tenant barbecues and communal barbecues. It should not be seen as an exhaustive list and should be used in conjunction with local laws and regulations.
Close up of grilled food on barbeque.

05/31/2023 · 5-minute read

Firing up the barbecue on a nice day to feed family and friends is a beloved pastime for many Canadians. For those living in housing complexes, communal barbecues may provide the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and foster tight-knit communities.

For some people on the market for a new home, barbecue access may even be a “must-have”. However, before permitting barbecues on site — communal or otherwise — property managers need to be conscious of the inherent hazards associated with their use.

The following guidance outlines considerations for general barbecue safety for both tenant barbecues and communal barbecues. It should not be seen as an exhaustive list and should be used in conjunction with local laws and regulations.

Evaluating the risk

Prior to deciding whether to allow on-premises barbecuing, housing providers must determine if they are prepared to accept this risk exposure. In addition to increasing fire risk, barbecues emit carbon monoxide — a poisonous gas that can lead to unconsciousness and even death. These are the main reasons why barbecuing must always take place outside in a well-ventilated area.

Housing owners will need to check with their local municipality to make sure the intended location(s) for the barbecue(s) will comply with their bylaws and fire codes. Certain municipalities may ban the use of barbecues on balconies entirely.

Common barbecue safety concerns include:

  • Barbecues on balconies: Regardless of whether your municipality permits them, residents should not be allowed to use any open flame type barbecues (for example, propane or charcoal) on their balconies.
  • Propane tanks storage: Propane tanks are not approved for use or storage inside any structure. Do you have a safe and secure outdoor place to store the propane tanks?
  • Communal barbecue location: Barbecues should never be operated in an enclosed space, in proximity to a structure, or close to combustibles (for example, exterior building cladding). Do you have a safe place to put the barbecue?

Limit your exposure

Housing providers that wish to offer their tenants the opportunity to barbecue, but want to limit their exposure, can take the following precautions:

For tenant barbecues:

  • Develop and enforce a formal policy that clearly states the rules of owning and/or operating barbecues. Ensure all tenants and employees are aware of these rules.
  • Prohibit tenants from maintaining and operating their own gas, wood pellet, or charcoal barbecues in private outdoor areas, such as on their balconies, decks, patios, as these all carry an increased risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, permit only small electric barbecues.

For communal barbecues:

  • Choose a gas barbecue for your common area, rather than a charcoal barbecue. Although charcoal and gas barbecues both have pros and cons, gas barbecues have some advantages, especially for housing providers:
    • Gas barbecues don’t produce messy piles of ash and are generally easier to clean than charcoal barbecues. As such, you won’t need to consider hot ash and ember disposal in your risk management program.
    • Gas barbecues are better for the environment. They are more energy efficient than charcoal barbecues and don’t emit nearly as much air pollution. This helps limit smoke interfering with other activities in the common areas or entering units.
    • Gas barbecues generally heat up much faster than charcoal barbecues and offer precise temperature control. This means that more tenants would be able to enjoy the barbecue in the same amount of time.
  • Develop and enforce a formal policy that clearly states the rules for operating the barbecue, including hours of operation. Ensure all tenants and employees are aware of these rules.
  • Use only barbecues and propane cylinders that have been approved by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
  • Ensure the barbecue and fuel source is secured.
  • Always store extra tanks upright and in a lockable exterior storage cage.
  • Consider instead installing a natural gas barbecue with a permanent connection — this will eliminate handling and storage concerns with propane tanks.
  • Ensure an ABC type fire extinguisher is located within the vicinity of the barbecue. It should be clearly identified, as well as regularly inspected and serviced.
  • Post rules for barbecue use to ensure tenants understand and comply (See rule signage for communal barbecue).

Inspection and maintenance

Property management should establish an inspection and maintenance program for their communal barbecue(s). This program should specifically outline how frequently inspections will be done, what actions will be taken, and how reports will be logged.

  • Before the season starts, take steps to ensure the barbecue is clean and in good working order. For propane barbecues, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) recommends the following actions:
    • Use a pipe cleaner or wire to ensure burner ports are free of rust, dirt, spider webs, and other debris.
    • Check the hose leading from the gas tank to the burners and replace it if cracked or damaged.
    • Find leaks by applying a 50/50 solution of water and dish soap to propane cylinder connections and hoses and checking for bubbles. If bubbles appear, tighten the connection and/or replace the damaged parts and retest.
  • Inspect and test gas connections for leaks on a regular basis.
  • Regularly inspect all barbecue components, such as grates, burners, hoses, and connections.
  • Regularly clean the barbecue to reduce likelihood of grease fires.
  • Check barbecue area daily at the end of the permitted hours to ensure barbecue is off.

Rule signage for communal barbecue

Conspicuously posting signage near the barbecue(s) can help encourage best safety practices and limit accidents. Exact wording should be reviewed by your legal counsel.

  • Hours of use
  • Safe lighting procedures, which will depend on barbecue type. TSSA suggests the following for propane gas barbecues:
    • Open the lid.
    • Turn on gas valve on tank.
    • Turn on grill controls or heat settings.
    • Take a step back.
    • Push the igniter button. If there is no igniter button, insert a long match or barbecue lighter through the side burner hole first, then turn on the heat control knob. If the burner does not ignite right away, turn the gas off and wait five minutes, keeping the lid open, before repeating the procedure.
  • Never leave barbecue unattended.
  • Keep loose clothing away from a hot barbecue.
  • Keep flammable items and liquids away from the barbecue.
  • Do not use hand sanitizer near the open barbecue.
  • Keep children and pets at a safe distance.
  • Safe finishing procedures, which will depend on barbecue type. TSSA suggests the following:
    • Turn off gas valve on tank.
    • Turn off the burner controls, so no gas is left in the connecting hose
    • Allow the barbecue to cool completely before closing the cover.
  • Never throw water on a grease fire. Use fire extinguisher if safe to do so.
  • Report issues to property management.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Any statements concerning actuarial, tax, accounting, or legal matters are based solely on our experience as insurance brokers and risk consultants and are not to be relied upon as actuarial, accounting, tax, or legal advice, for which you should consult your own professional advisors.

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