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BonnieG1 (Nebraska)
Posts: 1,186
Posted:
This is a 43 unit condominium in NE with 31 garage spaces in the buidling. About 4 years ago or so the Board at that time made a rule that storage in a space could only be three feet in front of the wall and no storage on the sides of the space.

This was not in the form of a resolution, just in the minutes and no other place has it been mentioned in our documents until a recent resolution.
But my concern for this post is not the lack of notice in our documents, but a possible fire hazard.

Since the garage is an open space, in my opinion even storage 3 feet in front of the wall could be considered a fired hazard. Some owners have items stored quite high and more than three feet in front of the wall. It seems to me if a fire broke out it could spread like wildfire and cause many explosions.

The fire marshall had us remove some items in a tunnel to the Care Center which is adjacent to us. I am wondering if the fire marshall even looked in our garage.

What do you think about storage in our garage space being a fire hazard?
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Sounds like a question for the local fire Marshal or fire department.
CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
I agree--ask your fire marshall to do an inspection. AsI mentioned to you in a reply to your earlier post. I sure wouldn't want all that stuff in our garage's parking spaces. I'd not only owrry about fire but also about rodents, etc.
JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265
Posted:
Bonnie.

A good question. I expect the answer might be one can have a storage unit as long as it meets local fire/building codes thus taking the pressure off the association.

Hope this helps.

CarolR11 (Colorado)
Posts: 2,563
Posted:
You know what, Bonnie? I don't think it's clear to me what you me by "3 feet in front of the wall." Is it a supporting floor to ceiling wall? Does "in front of" mean 3 feet in distance away from the wall?

Are all of the 31 spaces in one covered garage? Are the spaces all side by side separated by pillars, or??
BruceF1 (Connecticut)
Posts: 2,535
Posted:
Bonnie,

As to whether or not particular items stored in a particular manner or location constitute a fire hazard, you should really ask someone who is trained and experienced in such matters and has knowledge of the applicable laws and regulations, such as a fire marshal, and who can survey the actual situation you are concerned about and render an opinion.

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