Residential generator ordinance considered

By Grace Lovins

Following some close calls with carbon monoxide (CO) entering homes, Birmingham’s Planning Board took up discussions on a new generator ordinance for residential areas during the Wednesday, November 13, meeting in conjunction with the city’s fire department and building department.

The press for regulations around whole-house generators came from the Birmingham fire department and building department, said planning director Nick Dupuis, as a result of several incidents of CO detection in homes.

Birmingham fire marshal Jeff Scaife wrote in a memorandum included in the meeting packet that the fire department has responded to more than a dozen CO incidents involving whole-house generators over the last three years. Back in June, the department responded to three emergency calls in which the homes had deadly levels of CO from these generators following a strong storm.

Scaife told the board that the goal of the ordinance is to get residents to move their generators to the rear yards of their home, away from any areas where CO can seep in.to a home. Per Scaife, a lot of residents with generators place them in the side yards which can cause CO to make its way through openings in the home, including soffit vents and laundry ducts.

The language proposed would require generators to be placed a minimum of five feet away from a residential structure. On top of the health and safety issues, requiring generators to be placed five feet from a residential dwelling would have the added benefit of reducing noise for neighbors.

While all the board members were supportive of the concept, board member Janelle Whipple-Boyce had concerns over the proposed setback of the generator.

The manufacturer’s recommendation, according to Boyce, is 18 inches from a residential structure, and five feet away from any windows or doors. She explained that, with the way some residences are laid out and given the size of lots in certain districts, requiring five feet from a structure could create difficulty for some residential zones, specifically the R3 zone.

Other board members explained that the difference between the manufacturer’s recommendation of 18 inches versus Scaife’s suggested five feet isn’t concerning, saying that they trust Scaife’s expertise on the matter.

Board members did not take any formal action and suggested the item be brought back in December for further review after their suggestions were incorporated.