Thread: BBQ

Does an exterior natural gas bbq enclosure require venting or is it just recommended?

Originally Posted by Greg Hammond

Does an exterior natural gas bbq enclosure require venting or is it just recommended?

Too little information to say, but for most, no additional venting is needed.

What do you mean by an "exterior NG BBQ enclosure"? A pic or two would help.

Note, if it is a listed product, what do the listed instructions say?

Okay, let me explain what's going on. I am a general contractor as well as a home inspector, I have a client who I built a guesthouse for several years ago and is in the process of selling his home. He had a home inspection done (not by me) and contacted me to fix the items on his punch list. One of the items on the punch list/inspection report said “ enclosure for gas BBQ is not vented as required”. Now I have never known of any codes for venting exterior built-in gas barbecues while I was building them, and I'm unaware of any as I'm inspecting them. I did some research online and it shows up as a recommendation but I don't see anything that calls out for a requirement (I am not a person who has memorized the code book) . I'm heading up there this afternoon so I can take a picture of it and post it when I get back.

Thanks!
Greg

Originally Posted by Greg Hammond

Okay, let me explain what's going on. I am a general contractor as well as a home inspector, I have a client who I built a guesthouse for several years ago and is in the process of selling his home. He had a home inspection done (not by me) and contacted me to fix the items on his punch list. One of the items on the punch list/inspection report said “ enclosure for gas BBQ is not vented as required”. Now I have never known of any codes for venting exterior built-in gas barbecues while I was building them, and I'm unaware of any as I'm inspecting them. I did some research online and it shows up as a recommendation but I don't see anything that calls out for a requirement (I am not a person who has memorized the code book) . I'm heading up there this afternoon so I can take a picture of it and post it when I get back.

Thanks!
Greg

Request the inspector site the code or requirement.

Originally Posted by Greg Hammond

One of the items on the punch list/inspection report said “ enclosure for gas BBQ is not vented as required”.

Probably has an enclosed area below the BBQ where the propane tank is stored, correct?

Natural gas, fully accessible valve (as required).

Do you have the gas line under the slab? Sleeved and vented line?

The gas line comes through the back of the masonry BBQ through a plastic sleeve. The barbecue is not attached to any part of the homes structure it is freestanding with the back of it being a retaining wall for a planter. I think you are talking about a gas line that goes to an interior kitchen island has to be encased inside ABS pipe with a vent. This is a completely different application than that.

Originally Posted by Greg Hammond

This is a completely different application than that.

Not that different.

The unit is already vented. Those lids are not gasketed air tight. Besides, there is no standard or code requiring 'venting' of freestanding or detached BBQ grilles. If they needed to be 'vented', the mfrs would be required to design and mfr a flue collar and state the approved type, size and configuration of venting.

As said earlier you need to get the inspector to cite the code as related to the problem he pointed out.

This would be a good way to end some home inspector folklore and become a learning experience since continuing education is not required in AZ.

If this other inspector wrote "vent as required" then that inspector needs to cite the requirement so everyone is on the same page.

Damn, that's one hell of a grill!


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