Indoor Fire Pit Feasibility

[HarpAggie2001]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum, so this may be a topic already, but I didn't have any luck with the search feature.

I'm considering opening a BBQ restaurant in the Houston area. I've got plenty of experience smoking on a standard offset pit. But I'm thinking of having an indoor fire pit for warming and MAINLY for show. Something along the lines of what's depicted here:

http://musingsnotesquotes.blogspot.com/2009/11/salt-lick-bbq.html

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this type setup particularly the following questions:
1) Are they legal in new construction?
2) How would I size the vent hood to suck the smoke out?

Any feedback is appreciated. I've tried contacting the city permitting office but they were no help -- Surprise, surprise!

Thanks in advance

 

[Butt Rubb'n BBQ]

Yes they are legal in new construction. It depends on the size of the fire pit. Man that would be awesome with a copper hood. Who ever builds it or you buy it from will be able to size the hood for you. You probably will have to have a suppression system as well.

 

[expatpig]

I would check your local building codes before you get too far.