Bourbon and Fire (heaven forbid)

[ggilbertva]

Here's a question maybe for some of our fire service members. Is there a requirement to report a collection such as bourbon to the local Fire Dept? I have approx. 200 bottles of bourbon/whiskey/scotch and am curious if anybody here has alerted their local FD.

[Virus_Of_Life]

While I don't know exactly I believe it would vary depending on the jurisdiction, but I do believe the quantities of which you, and many of us, keep high ABV content liquor around would be conisidered a "H" - Hazardous - occupancy and therefore require proper ventilation and fire suppresion system(s). I think this may fall into the better left unsaid or don't ask don't tell policy. In other words unless you are planning a renovation on your home already which would require a building inspection I wouldn't voluntarily raise the issue or you may regret opening that can of worms.

I believe Ed (pepcycle) mentioned some first hand experience with this issue?

Just my thoughts.

Now, I do work for an A&E if you want a specific answer I could use my home and ask an Architect, but I already got a pretty good idea of the answer...

[WineGuy]

While I don't know exactly I believe it would very depending on the jurisdiction, but I do believe the quantities of which you, and many of us, keep high ABV content liquor around would be conisidered a "H" - Hazardous - occupancy and therefore require proper ventilation and fire suppresion system(s). I think this may fall into the better left unsaid or don't ask don't tell policy. In other words unless you are planning a renovation on your home already which would require a building inspection I wouldn't voluntarily raise the issue or you may regret opening that can of worms.

I believe Ed (pepcycle) mentioned some first hand experience with this issue?

Just my thoughts.

Now, I do work for an A&E if you want a specific answer I could use my home and ask an Architect, but I already got a pretty good idea of the answer...

I agree, don't open a can of worms. Use common sense. I would have a fire detector in the area and a fire extinguisher or two of the correct type.

[WineGuy]

A couple ideas-

I would not keep the bottles stored in cardboard box, or have the bar near furniture. There has to be some type of fire resistant material to build the bar out of, maybe fire retardant wood and glass. Build the bar away from anything that can burn, maybe put down ceramic tile rather than carpet in the area.

If you have many valuables in the house it might be worth it to buy a fire resistant safe that will keep your valuables safe.