NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 4, 2020) – The Nashville Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office (NFD-FMO) is reminding the public to comply with all regulations and safety precautions when using fuel-fired heaters.
The NFD-FMO especially wants to remind restaurant and bar owners to be careful when using portable heaters at their establishments.
The FMO plans to contact bars and restaurants to educate the public about the dangers and risks with portable fuel-fired heaters, which are popular at this time of year for outdoor patios and eating areas.
According to Metro Fire Prevention Code fuel-fired portable heaters are allowed outside on patios at street level under certain conditions.
- They must be more than 5 feet from a building
- They must not be located beneath, or closer than 5 feet to combustible decorations and combustible overhangs, awnings, sunshades or similar combustible attachments to buildings
- They must not be located within 5 feet of exits or exit discharges
- They must also be listed and approved under American National Standards Institute standards with a gas container that is integral to the appliance
- The tank must be an approved United States Department of Transportation cylinder, and it cannot be changed out while the public is nearby.
- The heater must remain secured so patrons cannot move the heater.
- Portable LP-gas tanks must be stored in a secured area but cannot be stored indoors.
For more information, please contact the Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office at: 615-862-5230.
Establishments and people found in violation of these requirements are subject to citation from the Nashville Fire Department Fire Marshal Office.
