The City Council for the City of Springfield adopted the 2018 Edition of the International Fire Code, for the purpose of safeguarding life, and property in the City of Springfield, Missouri from hazards of fire and explosions. With the adoption of the Fire Code, if you live in an apartment building that has 3 or more apartments you are prohibited from operating an open-flame cooking device (LP Gas or Charcoal) on a combustible balcony or within ten (10) feet of combustible construction.
Section 308.1.4 IFC
Exceptions:
- One- and two-family dwellings
- Where buildings and decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system
- LP-gas cooking devices having LP-gas containers with a water capacity not greater than 2.5 pounds (nominal 1 pound LP-gas capacity).
The National Fire Data Center estimates in 1998 outside cooking grills caused 6,000 fires, 5 fatalities, 170 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. In 2000 Springfield had 7 fires related to the use of gas-fueled and charcoal cooking grills.