You’re in the market for a new fire pit. You’ve read about all of the different features, options, and sizes you’ll find on offer at your local home improvement store or online retailer.
But is there anything else to consider before making your purchase? Yes!
There are many factors that can play a role in determining where you place your new outdoor fire pit.
We will go over some of the most important ones below so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose a location for your new outdoor fireplace!
In the last ten years, injuries related to fire pits tripled according to a June 2018 article from NBC. There were 5300 injuries reported by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission with 25% of these injuries occurring in children.
The best Location For Your Fire Pit
Fire Pit Distance From House And Buildings
The minimum distance away from the home that a fire pit should be placed is 25 feet, which is based on common standards in local building codes;
check your area’s specific guidelines according to those regulations.
Always choose a spot for your fire pit that is at least 10 feet (305 cm) away from anything that might be damaged by the heat or sparks.
Fire Pit Distance From Trees
Getting rid of flammable materials near the fire pit is an important safety feature for outdoor fires.
Experts recommend trimming trees and branches to a distance of between 10-15 feet from the edge of the fire pit.
This minimizes the likelihood that any sparks or flames can ignite anything combustible nearby.
Fire Pit Placement Distance Under Cover Patios
Propane Gas Fire Pit: When choosing a location for your fire pit, it is best to consider using a propane gas option if you are considering placing it under a covered patio.
This is best for safety and environmental reasons.
Wood Fire Pit: Installing a fire pit creates an environment, which is perfect for entertaining family and friends.
However, to maintain the normal appearance of one’s outdoor space without any worries about whether or not it will catch on fire (or smoke blackens your surrounding walls),
you have to make sure that the specific type of wood-burning fire pit you choose emits minimal smoke and fire sparks.
The fire hazard of an overhead that is too low, as well as the long-term effects of heat from the fire pit, will have an impact on a structure’s integrity.
In order to minimize this risk, make sure there is enough clearance between the flames and roof.
Talk to authorities/licensed contractors about building/enforcing a fire-safe roof.
Fire Pits on Wood Deck
Avoid placing the fire pit on wood decking. The heat can warp and damage your deck or easily catch some of the plywood in the area on fire.
It will also make this entire area quite hot to be around. And remember, even though they offer some insulation, the deck boards themselves will get uncomfortably hot.
If you are looking to put a fire pit on an existing outdoor deck consisting of wood or composite decking such as Trex, and TimberTech, etc.,
It can be done but you may have to take some steps so that your deck’s structural integrity and finish will be safeguarded.
When using a fire pit on decking, maintain the recommended distance of 20 to 25 feet from structures.
To protect your outdoor deck from extreme temperature, a barrier can be constructed between the fire pit and the deck surface.
To save money, use additional concrete pavers to create a temporary DIY fire pit safety base. Or You Can Have a look At a Fire Shield HERE
Placing Fire Pits On Grass
Grass is generally considered to be safe for outdoor fire uses if the temperature of the ground doesn’t exceed 250°F and the ground is level.
However, depending on the size and shape of a property, as well as which potential fuel sources are present, you may need to allow extra space in order to avoid brush or other dry vegetation that can catch fires.
Grass can cause various types of fires. Grass and other plants are often dry, which makes them a perfect fuel for small fires to easily spread onto the ground or into nearby buildings.
These kinds of fires happen all too often when people place their fire pits on the grass in order to escape bugs or enjoy more space around the equipment itself.
The steel heat shield mentioned below is a good option in this location, as it provides four supports for the shield, which are off of the ground, allowing airflow and preventing the grass from being crushed. Fire Pit Stand
Be sure to apply water in order to protect the grass from the heat emanating from the fire pit.
The best placement for a fire pit is, of course, on concrete– but you also need space around the sides and back of it.
Fire Pit Placement Safety Tips
-Keep the fire pit away from all combustible items, including decking and lawn furniture.
-Ensure that there is clear space around the outside of any material you are burning to at least one meter on either side for blowing sparks or embers.
-Make sure children cannot climb over safety features such as fences and barriers.
-Keep a fire extinguisher and first aid kit nearby for emergencies.
-Do not put plastics or combustible materials in the fire pit.
-For a wood-burning fire pit, do not use any materials that contain petroleum to start the fire.
-When you are done using the fire pit, dump in water and stir until all of the ash is wetted down with water.
FAQ Questions About Fire Pits
What Wood Is Best For Fire Pits?
There are many different types of wood that can be used in fire pits. Some people prefer to use seasoned hardwood, which is typically cut into smaller pieces for ease of handling and placing around the pit during setup.
Other popular choices are cedar or redwood because they produce less smoke when burned than some other woods.
What Is The Best Fire Extinguisher To You For A Fire Pit?
Both of these models are perfect for an all-around home fire extinguisher: the Amerex B500 and First Alert PRO5.
The B500 is stainless steel, rechargeable, UL certified, and meets NFPA standards while the PRO5 can be found in a variety of colors, also meeting NFPA standards.
What Is The Best Distance To Sit Around A Pit Fire?
If you have a fire pit, the distance between where people are sitting and its fuel should never be less than three feet for safety reasons.
A good rule of thumb is to use your arm span as a measurement: if it would feel uncomfortable to sit that close without touching the flames or the fuel, don’t do it.
How far should chairs be from fire pit?
If you want to make sure that your guests are comfortable, you should place chairs no closer than 3 feet from the fire pit.
You will want to make sure that the chairs are placed in a location where they can easily be moved out of the way if needed.
Where Should A Fire Pit Be Placed?
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding where your fire pit should be set up. The first thing you need to do is clear the ground and level it out so that nothing catches on fire from any pebbles or rocks in the area.
You also want to make sure there are at least 20 feet between your fire pit and any trees, woodpiles, or other materials which may potentially catch on fire.
Best Place For A Fire Pit To Stand?
The best place to stand a fire pit is cleared and level ground at least 20 feet away from trees, woodpiles, bushes, and other materials which may potentially catch fire.
Conclusion
The best Location For Your Fire Pit should be in a location where it will not cause damage to the property and is away from any dry vegetation.
I would recommend using common sense when deciding on the appropriate place for your fire pit, but also make sure you have permission if necessary.
If there are other people living with you or nearby who may object to having one of these pits near their home, that’s important information to know as well!
Finally, consider what type of fuel source you want available at all times around this area (such as propane tanks) so that guests can always gather around your outdoor fireplace without worrying about running out of fuel.
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