gas generator legal in condo? (Miami, Miami Beach: HOA, home, dorm)

[copacetic]

Is it legal to run a gas generator on the balcony of a Miami Beach condo during power outages? The condo rules and regulations say nothing about it, I checked. What about city code though?

Thanks in advance.

[miamiblue]

Do you know what the policy is for using a gas grill on your balcony? It is probably similar.

The main concern would be carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are needing to run a generator, chances are you will have all your windows open due to not having electricity, thus the fumes can get inside your living space. I remember hearing about a family that got CO poisoning in their home after one of the 2005 hurricanes because they were running the generator outside, but it was near an open window.

I personally, would not take the chance, since carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and you don't know when it is around.

[copacetic]

there is no policy in the hoa rules against grills either. but those could be against city code also. i am thinking the city may have a rule stating how close (in feet) you can burn gasoline next to a multi-family structure. and since balconies are small it may make grills and generators illegal. anyone else know?

i think a carbon monoxide detector which you can buy for $20 would solve your carbon monoxide concern.

[heydade]

don't take the chance. shifting winds will blow that colorless, odorless gas into your condo or your neighbors condo and the results are deadly...I know from 1st hand experience.

[PBCboy]

You'd be a jerk to run them up there, regardless if they're illegal or not. Not only would you be affected - and possible poisoned - but the people around you would as well. I would raise hell if someone tried to pull that bull**** around me.

[tallrick]

In a high-rise you would have no water so why would you need a generator? Low-rise buildings might be inhabitable, but as mentioned above, who wants a noisy generator vibrating the floors and polluting the air? I doubt the city will be going after anyone after a hurricane either, they will all be peeping at my parent's place..LOL!

[rogerbacon]

As tallrick points out, a high-rise will be uninhabitable after a major hurricane. Without electricity there won't be enough water pressure to bring water up that high. Also, do you really want to climb 34 floors every day? Not me coach.

[intelfan11315]

just get an electric generator, problem solved

[copacetic]

thanks for the responses. it sounds like responders have all assumed this is a high-rise, but it's not. this is a low-rise building and i am on 3rd floor. and don't really have neighboring balconies. i guess there's one but nobody ever stays there, they are seasonal occupants. do the generators really make a lot of noise? this isn't one of those big huge dorm style buildings like the flamingo or anything. i have few neighbors.

[heydade]

Generators make a LOT of noise...unless you get one of those expensive little Honda units with the harmonic dampeners.

Ask anyone who lived in complete darkness for weeks after Hurricane Andrew (I was south of Kendall Drive that August night) how loud they can be and how we all remember them every single night....every night....every day....for week after week.