California... Can you weld in our garage in residential area?

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Im from Southern California and am currently working on getting my 6g certification for pipe welding in the oil refinery. I have a hooch set up in my garage with fire blanket, a fan and fire extinguisher. My landlord lives upstairs from me and told me he was cool with it then decided that he changed his mind a month later and says I cannot weld in the garage anymore. Does anyone know what the rules are for this matter? hes worried about the homeowners insurance not covering the house if for some reason it burned down from the welding. The machine is in the back of my truck and I pull the leads into the garage whenever I want to weld and properly put everything away and clean up after Im done. Does anyone know if there are any laws that say you cant weld in your garage if its just a hobby not any sort of business?
Reply:no law that i know of in northern CA. but it sounds like it's your landlords law.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:If there are no laws against it then the landlord is cool with it but hes worried that the homeowners insurance would not allow it? anyone ever dealt with homeowners insurance and welding or been shut down saying its illegal?
Reply:Well I don't live in California but they have some of the strictest codes in the world on things  And its not your garage you just rent it so the landlord has the say in if you can use it for welding www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:i wouldn't be a bit surprised if his homeowners policy would not allow it if it is an attached garage.as for the legality check with the city or county fire marshal.Last edited by jbmprods; 01-08-2012 at 11:17 PM.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:Perhaps the fine print of the coverage has certain exclusions. Insurance companies are businesses.Past experience has shown me that SOME will do damn near anything to avoid paying. That being said, if you or your landlord want to be covered for an event and claim the welding, I'm sure you will pay more for the coverage.
Reply:Honestly, there is a decent chance that you will not be covered.  If you own the place you're working, that might still be an acceptable risk.  But if the risk falls on your landlord, he might not want to let it slide.  The simple way to find out is to get the name of the insurance company (and agent) your landlord uses and to call the person and ask.  The policy is already written, so welding is either excluded by the policy or it isn't.  Also check if for-profit work is excluded or not.  The agent should be able to tell you.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Well, your not even using his power from the building.. Seems lame that he wont even allow that... As long as you are taking the proper precautions, I would like to think it would be okHTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:When all is said and done, it's your land lords house, not yours. If he says "no" then it's "no". Don't like it, move or buy your own place. Sucks, but  that's life when you rent.As far as insurance is concerned, many agents don't know a thing about welding. When in doubt, they will error on the safe side and say it's not covered. There have been several similar threads to this in the past where the land lord has said no because the insurance company said it wouldn't cover welding. If welding isn't specifically included however, then you've given them an "out" to deny coverage in the event there is a fire. Your welding may not even be at fault, but if they deny the claim, the owner will have to fight it out with them, not you.As far as "laws" that varies by local. Where I live, the township has an ordinance against keeping "commercial" gas cylinders at a residence. They seldom enforce the ordinance unless some one complains. ( technically propane falls under this as well but they "overlook" that) I had some one complain. I got to deal with a fire marshal who was an idiot and had no clue at all about compressed gasses, including HP air ( you'd think someone who's part of the fire company would have a clue at least about air cylinders). They simply designated my house as "commercial" and then found I was in violation of local zoning which allowed them to force a full fire inspection of the property to "snoop" for code violations. They pretty much blackmailed me into giving them " voluntary" access to the house. If not they'd simply get a warrant and fine me daily unless I complied. It was not a pretty fight even without going to court.There may or may not be an ordinance you are in violation of. Some places will have ordinances against say welding in the dry season for fire safety for example. Or you may be in violation of a noise ordinance running the machine... Being "commercial" because it's a rental and a "residence" gives the fire marshal a clear reason to enforce all sorts of requirements that might not apply to the average home owner. I certainly wouldn't want to have to deal with the bS I had to over a renter of mine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:from what you said the welder is in the back of the truck, so I take it as being an engine powered welder?  If that is the case and your doing the 6g cert just weld outside.  It's been like 75 to 80 degrees around here, and if pipe welding is what your after you wont be doing it inside.   Not trying to be a plick but again just pull the leads out to the side of the side of the house or apartment where there might not be as much as a concern, just look out for the sparks from the arcs.Ron
Reply:I'd say it's just as likely that the landlord is fed up with an engine drive welder running in his driveway (when he's trying to watch tv or take a nap) as it's an insurance issue.Blaming the insurance company takes the heat off him.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:call the city. they'll have more information than a web forrum anyway. and call the insurance company. as it's been stated, the insurance company is a business. the less they have to spend (pay out in claims) the better. So they're going to fight anything that they can. that being said if welding is not excluded specifically you've got a leg to stand on, but if it doesn't say it's covered than the insurance company can fight it. Just remember when fighting an insurance company, their pockets are deeper, and they'll fight longer than you. So fighting them is hard.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:The golden rule at play. You don't have it so others are making the rules. Change your situation from renter to land owner.
Reply:same reason we have to do so many silly things at work- insurance companies. Your landlord doesnt want to RISK losing his property or not being covered if a fire happens.Same thing just happened to a buddy who lives in a warehouse re: his wood stove. Even though he has taken numerous and abundant precautions, and the structure is precast concrete, the land lord doesnt want to risk any problems with his insurance.Market is flooded with houses nationwide. If you have good credit try and find your own place.Weldanpower 225 G7Ironworkers Local #24
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW.. Being "commercial" because it's a rental and a "residence" gives the fire marshal a clear reason to enforce all sorts of requirements that might not apply to the average home owner. I certainly wouldn't want to have to deal with the bS I had to over a renter of mine.
Reply:Get longer leads and weld in Nevada.Two turn tables and a microphone.
Reply:Discretly destroy something of his( landlord) that requires welding to be repaired, and offer him your services for free. He will be forced to let you weld. If that fails move to Barstow.
Reply:Originally Posted by PangeaGet longer leads and weld in Nevada.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Illegal transmission of electricity across state lines
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYeah lets get the Feds involved in this...
Reply:Doesn't california have ordinances about farting, something under their green clean air act?Move.............. spent the last 10 yars out of 12 working down there is a pit. The ocean fishing was the bright spot but they are messing that up now, hunting sucks and the natives are fruits and nuts.Can you tell I'm a fan.
Reply:You can do anything you want in CA... as long as nobody complains.  Once someone complains, the state or local municipality will find some law to fine you.  They are very opportunistic like that.  So, you can weld in your garage but if your neighbors complain about the noise from grinding... expect the state to make some money off you.  If you weld like I do, I suspect you'll be doing a lot of grinding
Reply:Originally Posted by fredschromDoesn't california have ordinances about farting, something under their green clean air act?Move.............. spent the last 10 yars out of 12 working down there is a pit. The ocean fishing was the bright spot but they are messing that up now, hunting sucks and the natives are fruits and nuts.Can you tell I'm a fan.
Reply:" importing our skinheads"The old compound was about a 1/8 mile from my house ( torn down now ). We actually ran them off you guys imported them.The are some pretty areas and people in Kali, Susanville, Jamul, up the coast from Oxnard but that doesn't offset the bad, the people I used to know up near lake Tahoe were trying to fight the border on a property line dispute to get back into Nevada.Three big Metro areas, if you live in rural California your screwed no say, tax you to death, and the state collects your tax dollars and gives 10% back to your community.And yes in Idaho we don't tell polish jokes they are Californians.I do know some decent people ( and family ) still down there, about have want to move.And I won't even go into your policitians OR GUN laws...nothing good to say there.
Reply:PS we are way off topicone last word off topic. to sum up your assessment of the wonderful state of californicate.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:If your part of the country is anything like my part, there are tons of warehouses and commercial buildings that are empty.Contact some of these and see if they will rent the space month to month or even week to week, as is, to you with the assumption you will do the maintenance etc. and keep it clean (so they can still find a 'full time' renter).You never know what you can find.  A friend of mine, looking for a place to restore a car in, found an all cinderblock building on a farm.  Think 4 car garage - although a little odd shaped.  Settle on a few hundred a month rent - month to month.I know that normally renting space is expensive, but you will be flexible and renting month to month or even week to week (either side breaks the lease).Just a thought and it will only cost you a few phone calls to find out.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:If you can have a discussion with your landlord, you might consider buying personal liability insurance with youur landlord being a "Named insured".  The object being the policy will provide coverage to rebuild or replace his building + loss of income in case your actions cause a fire.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:If you are renting the use of the garage and there are no stipulations in the lease preventing you from welding there, I don't see how the landlord can tell you "No welding" if you are not damaging the property.
Reply:Originally Posted by GrooIf you are renting the use of the garage and there are no stipulations in the lease preventing you from welding there, I don't see how the landlord can tell you "No welding" if you are not damaging the property.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIII'd say it's just as likely that the landlord is fed up with an engine drive welder running in his driveway (when he's trying to watch tv or take a nap) as it's an insurance issue.Blaming the insurance company takes the heat off him.