As you may have already learned by now, grilling in Boston on roof decks, fire escapes or any outdoor space not on ground level is illegal. And although there are plenty of alternatives to the rule, designated spaces where barbecuing like a true American is more than welcome, there’s nothing quite like doing it in the comfort of your own property, rented or bought. One City Councilor, though, is looking to scale back Bostonians’ use of other fiery appliances indefinitely, banning the use of outdoor space heaters and fire pits as well.

Councilor Stephen Murphy will file an ordinance on Wednesday, July 30, that amends the Boston Fire Prevention Code and prohibits city residents from using fire pits, outdoor space heaters, outdoor fireplaces and other decorative heating appliances.

If the aforementioned heating devices are to run on natural gas or liquified petroleum gas, whether via a refillable tank or permanent installation, the City of Boston would allow for usage provided the appliance is listed or labeled by a recognized product testing organization. The Inspectional Service Department, too, would handle any permanent installations.

For non-gas fueled or charcoal grills, use shall be prohibited “on all balconies, decks, porches except for single family dwellings,” according to the ordinance.

The idea behind this Draconian take on the controlled use of fire, a practice that traces its roots as far back as one million years in human history, of course, is public safety.

According to a letter filed along with the ordinance by City Councilor Michael Flaherty, chair of the Committee on Government Operations, the Boston Fire Department testified that the amended law will:

Address the current regulations in the Fire Prevention Code concerning open burning which are vague and insufficient, particularly with fire pits and decorative heating appliances…[and] would also regulate the use of outdoor barbecue and cooking grills using charcoal, solid fuel, and LP-Gas in order to ensure public safety.

Councilor Flaherty’s letter went on to reaffirm that the Councilor Murphy’s intentions are simply to “protect the public and to educate the public on the safety of outdoor grilling.”

Under the law, if an establishment wanted to sell any of the applicable appliances and heaters, they would have to make the following signage visible using red lettering on a white background:

As it turns out, I have no problem with scaling back Bostonians’ usage of grills, outdoor heating appliances and fire pits – as much as I love sitting around the latter. The amount and extent of fires we’ve endured as city already this year is almost too sad to relate and it’s important we try to keep everyone as safe as possible.

What I do have a problem with, however, is that this increases Boston’s dependence on natural gas. In fact, it would only allow for the use of natural gas in specified and regulated situations – for commercial use, those using natural gas or liquified petroleum gas grills would be allowed to apply for and obtain a permit from the Boston Fire Department.

The BFD prohibits “the use of portable charcoal or any solid or non-gaseous fueled cooking grills, hibachi or similar cooking appliances on or within a building or structure,” as made clear in the ordinance.

Back in March, the Environmental League of Massachusetts held a gubernatorial forum at Faneuil Hall to hear what some candidates vying to succeed Governor Deval Patrick intend to do in order to keep the Bay State a greener state.

Nearly all of them concurred that natural gas should not be permanent energy source and should only be used as an interim way of bridging our current energy and fuel usage to a more environmentally-friendly one.

More recently, Google Street View cars mapped out the alarming amount of natural gas leaks in Boston that are polluting our atmosphere as you’re finishing this sentence.

Why then would any City Councilor consider reinforcing the use a non-sustainable type of fuel that we’re trying to move away from?

The ordinance will be filed with the Boston City Council on Wednesday, July 30.

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