Balcony fires can be devastating as they can easily spread to adjoining properties, potentially leaving people homeless if the fire is serious enough.
Many balconies have combustible materials, and there are often combustible items stored in outside spaces, so if a fire starts, it can spread quickly.
Another worry is that wind can fan or carry smouldering ignition sources such as cigarettes and embers from barbecues to lower or adjacent balconies.
According to the Ontario Fire Code – Reg. 213/07: FIRE CODE:
- DO NOT Fix fairy lights to the balcony.
- It is prohibited to use the balcony as a fire pit.
- Never barbecue on your balcony.
- Never store Combustible fibres means finely divided combustible vegetable or animal fibres and thin sheets or flakes of such materials that, in a loose, an unbaled condition, present a flash fire hazard, and include cotton, wool, hemp, sisal, jute, kapok, paper, and cloth.
- Never store waste items such as old mattresses and cardboard recycling on the balcony.
