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August 13, 2009
Outdoor Fireplaces?
Does anyone know what if any building code issues are involved with building an outdoor fireplace?
Comments
not sure about building code (since outdoor would not be in building anyway--maybe more covered by fire dept)..
but I do know would be obnoxious and noxious to neighbors to burn anything in it.
Posted by: Petebklyn at August 13, 2009 10:19 AM
Thanks for the constructive advice Petebklyn. The fireplace would be natural gas which every house on the block is already burning 24 hours a day as compared to the 2 hours a week I might use the fireplace. That aside, how it more "obnoxious" or "noxious" to use an outdoor fireplace than an indoor fireplace?
Posted by: Boerum Hill at August 13, 2009 10:28 AM
Nothing at all noxious about a gas fireplace. I suspect Vinca will chime in later with the appropriate links to the FDNY issues with this.
Whether this is permitted or not, i don't have much issue with. I would however, want the gas piping to be done correctly.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2009 10:45 AM
Here's an outdoor gas-fired fireplace accepted by the DoB:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/587-06-e.pdf
Posted by: bessie2 at August 13, 2009 10:55 AM
ah.. natural gas. Big difference. I suppose would need permit to run gas line, etc.
And regarding a woodburning outside as opposed to inside - is that chimneys do vent above houses into open. To burn wood in backyard - would be dispensing smoke into everyone's windows and backyards as usually just 1 big enclosed courtyard.
Posted by: Petebklyn at August 13, 2009 11:50 AM
There are probably limits on how close it can be to a structure or fence.
Posted by: surly at August 13, 2009 11:52 AM
This just seems like the worst time to start thinking of new unnecessary ways to burn up more of natural resources.
Posted by: toast at August 13, 2009 11:54 AM
toast, if you knew anything about natural gas you'd know that the price has plummetted back to 2002 levels and there have been recent dicoveries of millions & millions of cu ft.
Maybe the OP doesn't have a car so his/her carbon footprint is smallt to begin with. :)
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2009 12:22 PM
DIBS: have there really been recent discoveries of natural gas, or are you referring to the shale drilling that has the potential to threaten NYC's water supply??
NY Times:
Proposed Gas Drilling Upstate Raises Concerns About Water Supply
Posted by: SenatorStreet at August 13, 2009 1:10 PM
toast,
The snarkiness on this site can be irritating. You have no idea what my carbon footprint is. I don't use air conditioners (I do have ceiling fans and want to install a whole house fan) and am amazed when I walk around on temperate evenings and hear the whine of air conditioners. I would guess that the energy someone to run central air for a month will approximate the natural gas energy I'll use for an outdoor fireplace over the next 5-10 years.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at August 13, 2009 2:30 PM
A gas exterior fireplace. Isn't that akin to running your air conditioner outside? Or using bottled water to wash your tub? Using hot water for ice cubes? Please tell me this is for a restaurant and not a home.
If it's a B-vent fireplace you need to follow the building code for flues - 6 feet above neighboring construction within 10 feet or something like that. If it's direct vent, you don't (I think). Also, check zoning - I don't think a fireplace/chimney is a permitted obstruction in a rear yard unless it's within 3 feet of the building. Not applicable though if it's on the roof.
Posted by: wilso26941 at August 13, 2009 2:36 PM
So they're not really permitted from a zoning standpoint. That doesn't necessarily mean you can't do one, I just don't know how you'll get a permit for one. Although I'm always told that piped gas grilles are not allowed in yards or terraces either but they happen all the time.
From Zoning Resolution:
23-44
Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards or Rear Yard Equivalents
In all #Residence Districts#, the following shall not be considered obstructions when located within a required #yard# or #rear yard equivalent#:
(a) In any #yard# or #rear yard equivalent#:
Chimneys, projecting not more than three feet into, and not
exceeding two percent of the area of, the required #yard# or
#rear yard equivalent#;
Posted by: wilso26941 at August 13, 2009 2:53 PM
wilso26941,
It's not really akin to any of those things in terms degree. It's something done for aesthetic reasons. More akin watering a flower garden instead of leaving it as dry dirt. There's no practical reason for it. It's just nice. I'll stop myself now, because in the end it's really none of your business.
Posted by: Boerum Hill at August 13, 2009 3:07 PM
Sorry - you asked, I answered. With my professional advice, you got my personal opinion. In the future, I recommend doing the research yourself as it's not hard to find - Google NYC Building Code and/or NYC Zoning.
Posted by: wilso26941 at August 13, 2009 3:55 PM
Are your neighbors assholes??? If not, just put it in, no permit, get a good plumber for the gas lines. That's what i would do. We're talking a small gas "fire pit" like burner here, right??
Don't pay any attention to the tree huggers on the "energy" thing. If it's something you want to do, just do it.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at August 13, 2009 3:56 PM
yeah, Just go ahead and do it. To be honest I wouldn't bother with permit myself. Just get good plumber for gas line (don't want any ground freeze damage).
If (and very very unlikely) city had problem..could just disconnect it. Just happy you're not gonna burn wood and make smoke. Plenty of people have the natural gas burning lamps in their front yards(that was a program once by Brooklyn Union Gas).
Posted by: Petebklyn at August 13, 2009 4:53 PM
Everyone needs to do more research in regard to burning wood. It is less harmful, if used correctly, than natural gas and coal. I would build a wood fireplace instead of gas.
Posted by: pig three at August 13, 2009 5:20 PM
Boerum Hill, when you actually get an answer to this one, please post. I would love an outdoor fireplace, if only to roast endangered birds in it.
Posted by: Brooklyn Chicken at August 13, 2009 5:23 PM
one of my neighbors who's backyard butts mine has a pit that burns wood. it's fine. smells nice and i can see it from our deck. he's enjoying it, and we have a great over the fence relationship. this is a pretty low cost alternative.
Posted by: wine lover at August 13, 2009 8:35 PM
DIBS please tell me you are being sarcastic here with this nonsense, right? BoerumHill we are not judging but whatever you do please keep it legitimate and safe...as we suspect you are trying to do.
"Are your neighbors assholes??? If not, just put it in, no permit, get a good plumber for the gas lines. That's what i would do. We're talking a small gas "fire pit" like burner here, right??
Don't pay any attention to the tree huggers on the "energy" thing. If it's something you want to do, just do it".
Posted by: pierre de taille at August 14, 2009 9:15 PM
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