ValeryG (Connecticut)
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Posted:
Is it legal to use portable generatos in condo
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using portable generators in condo
Started by ValeryG • 28 replies • 6073 views
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FredS7 (Arizona)
Posts: 927
Posts: 927
Posted:
If you're asking about legal- check your city and state laws.
If you mean allowable according to the OTHER rules you signed onto- the condo rules- you have to read them yourself.
There is no general answer.
If you mean allowable according to the OTHER rules you signed onto- the condo rules- you have to read them yourself.
There is no general answer.
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
"In a condo"? Legal or not if you use it "inside" you will likely assume room temperature quickly. It needs to be outside with plenty of ventilation, not blowing exhaust gas into your neighbor's patio or deck, in addition to the noise factor.
Paul T
Paul T
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ValeryG on 11/07/2012 5:01 AM
Is it legal to use portable generators in condo
Is it legal to use portable generators in condo
There are no state laws that I'm aware of regarding portable electric generators in a condo or elsewhere. However, you should check your local ordinances and zoning rules to see if there are any restrictions regarding their use. Also, you would have to check with your condo association or HOA to see if they have any restrictions.
Has always, observe electrical safety to prevent electrical feedback into the power lines, use short (as possible) heavy-duty cords to connect appliances, and do not run any generators, nor store any fuel indoors; not even in your garage.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BruceF1 on 11/07/2012 8:25 AM
Also, you would have to check with your condo association or HOA to see if they have any restrictions.
Also, you would have to check with your condo association or HOA to see if they have any restrictions.
If there was no restriction before there will be one now. Some questions just should not be asked.
SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699
Posts: 3,699
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By ValeryG on 11/07/2012 5:01 AM
Is it legal to use portable generatos in condo
Is it legal to use portable generatos in condo
No. It is not legal to run a gasoline engine inside your condo. I have no idea why you would want to. You need to run gas engines outside.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Legal is one issue.
Conforming to Covenants/Bylaws of your condo association (noise/pollutionn, etc.)is a 2nd issue.
Running it inside a condo as in Carbon Monoxide buildup and you die is a real issue.
Please clarify.
Conforming to Covenants/Bylaws of your condo association (noise/pollutionn, etc.)is a 2nd issue.
Running it inside a condo as in Carbon Monoxide buildup and you die is a real issue.
Please clarify.
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
Perhaps... Darwin?
KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239
Posts: 2,239
Posted:
You might be surprised at how people underestimate fumes and poisoning when cold and a blizzard knocks the heat out.
FredS7 (Arizona)
Posts: 927
Posts: 927
Posted:
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By FredS7 on 11/08/2012 5:41 PM
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
"will" result in death. Valery, tell us you meant "within" a condo complex.
Paul T
EdmundS1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 45
Posts: 45
Posted:
I see that Larry has found this topic. I have only been a board member of our HOA for 6 months but I see that Larry responds to almost every question with some "advice" that could, if followed, results in at least legal problems, and in this case, could result in death.
This site has been very informative to me, and 99% of the responders are helpful, but every blog has it's "outlaws" who have too much time on their hands (how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands). Quality suffers when quanity becomes more imporant....
This site has been very informative to me, and 99% of the responders are helpful, but every blog has it's "outlaws" who have too much time on their hands (how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands). Quality suffers when quanity becomes more imporant....
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By FredS7 on 11/08/2012 5:41 PM
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Someone once wrote that, "If the world operated on logic and common sense, men would be the ones to ride sidesaddle."
GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By FredS7 on 11/08/2012 5:41 PM
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
Fred, I'm afraid common sense is even more endangered than the albino tree sloth, people just seem to get stupider and stupider each year, especially since the Federal Government has taken over education. We had one H/O years ago try to use a portable generator in his basement because the power company shut him off but his cobbled together exhaust system failed and the whole family was overcome with carbon monoxide. Use it inside a condo and not only could you kill yourself but your neighbors too.
Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By EdmundS1 on 11/08/2012 6:05 PM
how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands
how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands
By having been a contributor for many years.
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
The use of a generator comes with many concerns for me. Just what is the layout of the property do the unit owners have free standing buildings or are they attached.
After Sandy hit NJ and NY there have been many stories of people being sent to hospitals and in some cases killed by the improper use of generators.
If you use gasiline where is it stored? Dangerous when people attempt to refill a running generator.
CO fumes, where the generator is placed for operation. The fumes can be drawn back into your home or perhaps the unit of a neighbor and kill them.
Electrical issues, overloading the circuits in the unit or in the entore building. Faulty electrical hookups not done by a certified electrician.
Extension cords can be underrated or overloaded and cause fires.
People using generators not having the knowledge on how to safely operate the equipment.
Noise, that could certainly be an issue for neighbors.
Local fire and building codes codes. In our area you cannot have a propane fueled BBQ grille with a 20lb tank on the second floor units. No would it be wise to have a gasoline fueled generator in that same location?
Yes properly used generators can be great but do I think allowing folks to put their neighbors at risk with the improper use of such equipment is worth the price someone might pay for mistakes that are and can be made.
After Sandy hit NJ and NY there have been many stories of people being sent to hospitals and in some cases killed by the improper use of generators.
If you use gasiline where is it stored? Dangerous when people attempt to refill a running generator.
CO fumes, where the generator is placed for operation. The fumes can be drawn back into your home or perhaps the unit of a neighbor and kill them.
Electrical issues, overloading the circuits in the unit or in the entore building. Faulty electrical hookups not done by a certified electrician.
Extension cords can be underrated or overloaded and cause fires.
People using generators not having the knowledge on how to safely operate the equipment.
Noise, that could certainly be an issue for neighbors.
Local fire and building codes codes. In our area you cannot have a propane fueled BBQ grille with a 20lb tank on the second floor units. No would it be wise to have a gasoline fueled generator in that same location?
Yes properly used generators can be great but do I think allowing folks to put their neighbors at risk with the improper use of such equipment is worth the price someone might pay for mistakes that are and can be made.
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By EdmundS1 on 11/08/2012 6:05 PM
I see that Larry has found this topic. I have only been a board member of our HOA for 6 months but I see that Larry responds to almost every question with some "advice" that could, if followed, results in at least legal problems, and in this case, could result in death.
This site has been very informative to me, and 99% of the responders are helpful, but every blog has it's "outlaws" who have too much time on their hands (how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands). Quality suffers when quanity becomes more imporant....
I see that Larry has found this topic. I have only been a board member of our HOA for 6 months but I see that Larry responds to almost every question with some "advice" that could, if followed, results in at least legal problems, and in this case, could result in death.
This site has been very informative to me, and 99% of the responders are helpful, but every blog has it's "outlaws" who have too much time on their hands (how can you have over 1,000 posts and not have to much time on your hands). Quality suffers when quanity becomes more imporant....
Edmund,
I am not sure what your problem is but I offered no advice here that would get anyone injured or killed. I merely observed that if one asks the association if there is a rule against doing something stupid then the association will implement such a rule. I am not sure how that equates to legal problems and/or death.
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By PaulT6 on 11/08/2012 5:48 PM
Posted By FredS7 on 11/08/2012 5:41 PM
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
I didn't think that anyone would contemplate running a gasoline engine indoors.
Doing that is against the laws of common sense.
Carbon monoxide is odorless, and carbon monoxide exposure from running an engine indoors may result in death.
"will" result in death. Valery, tell us you meant "within" a condo complex.
Paul T
i have to say, Fred is more correct. Doing said thing MAY result in death. There is no absolute guarantee that it will result in death. I can envision, and could, if demanded, provide proof of many scenarios where running a generator indoors does not cause death. Can anyone provide proof that it always does?
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BrianB on 11/09/2012 1:21 PM
I have to say, Fred is more correct. Doing said thing MAY result in death. There is no absolute guarantee that it will result in death. I can envision, and could, if demanded, provide proof of many scenarios where running a generator indoors does not cause death. Can anyone provide proof that it always does?
I have to say, Fred is more correct. Doing said thing MAY result in death. There is no absolute guarantee that it will result in death. I can envision, and could, if demanded, provide proof of many scenarios where running a generator indoors does not cause death. Can anyone provide proof that it always does?
Gotta agree with Brian. Carbon monoxide is not the only thing that spews out the exhaust. Most people would find the other stuff so noxious that they would shut the generator off long before someone dies, though not always before they get enough CO to make themselves sick.
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
Brian & Larry,
Point taken, I would just hope someone doesn't find out "how long is too long". From what I have read about a number of cases, people just "go to sleep" but don't wake up.
Sometime back in our area a family had a bedroom over their garage, father fired up the car to warm it up, then went back upstairs. Later, father and son were found dead. I can't imagine the OP really meant if it was legal "inside" a condo? I guess the really lucky ones just get sick?
Paul T
Point taken, I would just hope someone doesn't find out "how long is too long". From what I have read about a number of cases, people just "go to sleep" but don't wake up.
Sometime back in our area a family had a bedroom over their garage, father fired up the car to warm it up, then went back upstairs. Later, father and son were found dead. I can't imagine the OP really meant if it was legal "inside" a condo? I guess the really lucky ones just get sick?
Paul T
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
The information included in the posts of this thread serve to demonstrate just how little people understand about the hazards of using any gasoline engine and the fumes it creates. In the area hit by Sandy there have been numerous reports of people who ended up in hospitals or dead due to the misuse of these machines. And to suggest these people should simply have smelled the fumes of the exhaust is nonsense. CO is oderless and colorless you don't see it or smell it. It slowly causes sickness and disoreintation and then death. Even after a generator is shut down the CO fumes can linger and be trapped in structures for hours. To suggest people would pick up the presence of fumes of CO is absurd! So people operate them in their attached garages with the door open BAD! So people set them outside but in an area where the fumes can be sucked back into their homes BAD!
As a general rule when you have no real understanding of what it is you are talking about best to remain silent rather than giving out information that is 100% wrong.
There are many sites detailing the dangers of operating gasoline powered generators ( like any gasoline engine) I would suggest you rely on them rather than the information given here by some who know very little about the subject.
As a general rule when you have no real understanding of what it is you are talking about best to remain silent rather than giving out information that is 100% wrong.
There are many sites detailing the dangers of operating gasoline powered generators ( like any gasoline engine) I would suggest you rely on them rather than the information given here by some who know very little about the subject.
JonD1
Posts: 2,350
Posts: 2,350
Posted:
Yes sadly some people die from the misuse of generators. Guess they didn't get to notice those noxious fumes.............
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/02/carbon-monoxide-deaths-hurricane-sandy/1677581/
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
Carbon Monoxide is odorless and colorless. Danger level for CO is roughly 30 parts per million for an adult exposed to it for 20 minutes or more. CO accumulates in the blood because hemoglobin, the Oxygen binding structure of the red blood cell, has an affinity for bonding with CO greater than 200 times that for Oxygen. Thus, even when the CO source is shut down, and the victim removed to "fresh air", very little happens because the body is happier with the CO than with Oxygen. it really does not want to swap out.
I absolutely do not recommend running a gas/diesel/wood fire generator inside a home unless you are a US Senator or Congressman (in which case, please, go ahead. It's fine, I promise). However, my statement went solely to the idea that doing so will always cause a death (ie, telling the poster that the word "may" was incorrect, and should have been replaced with "will"). Saying that Inhaling CO WILL cause death is not 100% factual. It might cause death. it might not. Sometimes, it causes illness, injury, or brain damage. Sometimes, it does nothing much at all. Sometimes, it causes death.
As with any poison, it's all about the dose and exposure.
I absolutely do not recommend running a gas/diesel/wood fire generator inside a home unless you are a US Senator or Congressman (in which case, please, go ahead. It's fine, I promise). However, my statement went solely to the idea that doing so will always cause a death (ie, telling the poster that the word "may" was incorrect, and should have been replaced with "will"). Saying that Inhaling CO WILL cause death is not 100% factual. It might cause death. it might not. Sometimes, it causes illness, injury, or brain damage. Sometimes, it does nothing much at all. Sometimes, it causes death.
As with any poison, it's all about the dose and exposure.
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
All,
"May" is OK, maybe "will" might get somebody's attenion? Point is they "can" kill you. A healthy engine doesn't generally put out too much "smell" and might not be noticed too much. Apparently the people who died or got sick were not put off too much by the "smell".
Paul T
"May" is OK, maybe "will" might get somebody's attenion? Point is they "can" kill you. A healthy engine doesn't generally put out too much "smell" and might not be noticed too much. Apparently the people who died or got sick were not put off too much by the "smell".
Paul T
EdmundS1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 45
Posts: 45
Posted:
I wanted the dust to settle on my post before I added to it.
Most people living in condo's, lkke us, are old, sometimes very old. Logical tninking is not a strong point.
Most people in our age (old) bracket grew up with gasoline engines; were familiar with the odors....not "unusual" for us, that's what a running gasoline engine smells like....no big deal, just go the sleep. It's not the odors that will kill you, it's what comes with it...CO.
My concern with some of the "veteran" posters on this topic is that the issue was viewed as a HOA Rule item and not the safety item it really is.
To add some additional safety information.
While living in Upstate New York two teenage girls died of CO while attending a sleepover at a friends house, they "bunked" in the cellar with the other girls but were sleeping next to the furnace that had flue problems....the other 6 girls survived.
If you have a gas fireplace it needs to be vented to the outside if the fire place "logs" put out more then 40,000 BTU (at least here in NC). 40,000 BTU is the output of your average gas range.
Some people bring in their outdoor gas grill for heat...same issue, more then 40,000 BTU and you could have problems.....really dosen't what's burning: wood, coal, propane, natural gas, gasoline they all produce CO.....
Most people living in condo's, lkke us, are old, sometimes very old. Logical tninking is not a strong point.
Most people in our age (old) bracket grew up with gasoline engines; were familiar with the odors....not "unusual" for us, that's what a running gasoline engine smells like....no big deal, just go the sleep. It's not the odors that will kill you, it's what comes with it...CO.
My concern with some of the "veteran" posters on this topic is that the issue was viewed as a HOA Rule item and not the safety item it really is.
To add some additional safety information.
While living in Upstate New York two teenage girls died of CO while attending a sleepover at a friends house, they "bunked" in the cellar with the other girls but were sleeping next to the furnace that had flue problems....the other 6 girls survived.
If you have a gas fireplace it needs to be vented to the outside if the fire place "logs" put out more then 40,000 BTU (at least here in NC). 40,000 BTU is the output of your average gas range.
Some people bring in their outdoor gas grill for heat...same issue, more then 40,000 BTU and you could have problems.....really dosen't what's burning: wood, coal, propane, natural gas, gasoline they all produce CO.....
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By EdmundS1 on 11/12/2012 3:35 PM
My concern with some of the "veteran" posters on this topic is that the issue was viewed as a HOA Rule item and not the safety item it really is.
My concern with some of the "veteran" posters on this topic is that the issue was viewed as a HOA Rule item and not the safety item it really is.
Edmund,
The original poster asked if it was legal to use a generator in a condo. This could have been taken literally (using the generator inside the unit) or as a noise issue (using the generator on the balcony or exclusive use common area). Valery, the OP, never added to this thread. Therefore, we still don't have clarification on the actual question.
Safety should always be the first concern on anything.
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
Edmund,
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
BrianB (California)
Posts: 2,820
Posts: 2,820
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By PaulT6 on 11/12/2012 5:59 PM
Edmund,
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
Edmund,
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
Perhaps she ran the generator in her living room, and....
PaulT6 (California)
Posts: 409
Posts: 409
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By BrianB on 11/13/2012 7:47 AM
Posted By PaulT6 on 11/12/2012 5:59 PM
Edmund,
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
Edmund,
At 77 I too am an old guy. I posted because I thought I might possibly prevent Valery from killing herself although I can't imagine anyone would run a generator "inside".
It appears that Valery has dropped off the radar screen so we may never know exactly what she intended to do?
Paul T
Perhaps she ran the generator in her living room, and....
Although it is hard to imagine that I have read of similar situations happening. Makes one wonder?
Paul T
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