Keys at Kure Beach HOA

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The Keys HOA and its sub committees continue to look after the community. As we are moving into the hot summer period we thought we all could benefit from a refresher education and training on fire prevention. Kure Beach Fire Department has graciously accepted our invitation. Fire Inspector Captain Steven Zwally has confirmed meeting with us on Friday May 14 @ 3-5 PM. The Fire Information & Prevention event will be held in front of and around the gazebo area on the southern tip of the pond. Please bring your own chair.

We hope as many of you as possible can attend since we would love to meet and socialize (properly distanced) in an open outdoor setting and MOST OF ALL take advantage of learning and being reminded of good fire prevention practices to protect our safety and our beautiful homes. HOA will provide bottled water and soft drinks.  Feel free to BYOB if you prefer a different beverage. 

In order to plan and prepare this event we need your confirmation of attendance by simply replying to this e-mail that you will /will not attend no later than 5p, Wednesday May 12. We look forward to seeing you there!

Agenda

• Reference Materials & Summary of Fire Codes
• Fire Prevention – Best Housekeeping Practices
• Hazards that Cause Fires
• Detectors & Fire Prevention Equipment – What Home Owners should Have
• Maintenance and testing of Fire Prevention Materials/Equipment/Systems
• Fire Extinguishing Systems – How to Use Them (Demonstration)
• What to do if a Fire Happens?
• Special Topics:

• Contained wood fires vs propane fires in open areas or on decks. Risks and differences?
• Propane grills and propane driven fire tables and pits on wood decks
• Propane driven equipment on decks with composite floors?
• Distances from walls and fences when using contained propane driven fire on decks?
• The use of fire pit mats under BBQ and other propane driven equipment on decks or on the ground?
• What fire prevention materials/equipment should be readily available when using contained propane or wood driven fires?
• Unvented gas fireplaces (like the ones originally installed in our townhouses)?
• How to check for gas leaks to propane driven BBQ and similar equipment?
• Out-door and in-door storage of propane tubes?

 Special notes:

·         One and two-family dwellings are exempt from the Fire Code. The rules, risks and opportunities for fire materials/equipment will be discussed during the event. Based on our discussion, the Keys HOA, on behalf of its members, will define the governing fire materials/equipment rules for our community.

·         Captain Zwally will address how we think about and act on an old wooden deck compared to a new modern composite floor deck as it pertains to placing propane driven contained fires on these materials.

·         Other variables to be addressed are how big the pit is and how hot they can get. Storage of the propane and or disposal of ash material will be discussed as well.

Reference materials for bonfires:

• The Town of Kure Beach Municipal Code, Section 8 Public Health and Safety, Subsection 8.06 Fire Nuisances; https://kurebeach.municipalcodeonline.com/book?type=ordinances#name=8_PUBLIC_HEALTH_AND_SAFTEY
• The North Carolina State Fire Code, Chapter 3, Section 307; https://up.codes/viewer/north_carolina/ifc-2015/chapter/3/general-requirements#3

Best,

Keys HOA Team