Washington adopts the International Fire Code as the State Fire Code at WAC 51-54A under RCW 19.27.031, enforced locally by the Kennewick Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division. Fire Code Β§308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (including charcoal grills and most propane grills) on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings (i.e., apartments and multi-family). Exceptions allow LP-gas devices with limited cylinder size on sprinklered balconies; electric grills are not restricted. For single-family Kennewick homes the IFC restriction does not directly apply, but LP-gas cylinder storage is still governed by NFPA 58 as referenced through the Fire Code.
Fire Code Β§308.1.4 (Open-flame cooking devices) is one of the most-cited multi-family fire-prevention rules nationwide. As adopted in Washington through WAC 51-54A (the State Fire Code, based on the 2021 IFC with Washington amendments), it prohibits charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices from being operated on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction in Group R-2 (apartment) and similar multi-family occupancies. Exception 2 typically allows LP-gas (propane) cooking devices on balconies of multi-family Group R-2 buildings where the building is sprinklered throughout and the LP-gas container does not exceed 1-pound capacity. Exception 3 in some editions allows permanently-installed cooking devices on balconies served by sprinklers. For one- and two-family dwellings (Group R-3 under the IRC), the Β§308.1.4 restriction does not apply, so single-family Kennewick homeowners may use propane and charcoal grills on patios, decks, and yards subject to nuisance and smoke-impact considerations and to any seasonal outdoor-burning rules administered by the Washington Department of Ecology and the Benton Clean Air Agency. LP-gas (propane) cylinder storage is regulated by NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) as referenced by the Fire Code: residential cylinders are limited in aggregate capacity, must be stored outdoors with appropriate clearances, and must not be stored inside dwellings or basements. The Kennewick Fire Marshal and Fire Prevention Division enforce State Fire Code provisions locally under RCW 19.27.031.
Operating an open-flame cooking device in violation of Fire Code Β§308.1.4 on a multi-family balcony is a State Fire Code violation enforced by the Kennewick Fire Marshal under RCW 19.27.031 and WAC 51-54A. Penalties include stop-use orders and civil citations under KMC. Landlords face additional liability under Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) for failing to provide safe premises. Storage of LP-gas cylinders indoors violates NFPA 58 and the State Fire Code. Persistent violators may be cited in Kennewick Municipal Court or civil action in Benton County Superior Court. Outdoor-burning violations during burn-ban periods declared by the Benton Clean Air Agency or Department of Ecology carry separate fines.
Kennewick, WA
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