You’re probably aware that an open wood fire is not safe under an awning, and local codes in many jurisdictions prohibit the same. But what about a fire fueled by gas or propane? Can a gas fire pit be under an awning as per your local codes, and is it safe for your family and property?
A gas fire pit must be safely isolated to be kept under an awning. It must have the minimum clearances on all sides from combustible materials. Ideally, you must ensure more than the minimum clearances, and the awning shouldn’t be combustible. Also, there should be sufficient natural ventilation.
You must abide by the local codes and follow the gas fire pit manufacturer’s guidelines for the specifications of the model you choose. Since there are a few variables in play, you must check and address all the factors. Read on to know if and how a gas fire pit can be under an awning.
How To Manage Your Fire Pit and Awning
Let me begin with a simplified take on the International Fire Code and manufacturers’ clearance requirements for a gas fire pit under an awning. The International Fire Code is the foundation for most local laws related to portable and permanent pits for recreational and utilitarian purposes.
According to the International Fire Code’s Chapter 15.44, a permanent gas fire pit must be at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) away from a residential structure or property line and combustible materials, such as an awning.
While most local regulations have adopted the International Fire Code, your state or city laws may not be the same. Likewise, manufacturers don’t have identical clearance requirements and other guidelines, as these depend on specific installations and the features of a gas fire pit.
The Outdoor GreatRoom Company is one of the leading gas fire pit manufacturers in the US. Here are their minimum clearance requirements for all types of combustibles, like awnings:
- No combustible material should be within 2 feet (0.6 meters) of the gas fire pit burner’s edge.
- The gas fire pit should be clear of combustibles for at least 8 inches (~20 cm) below the burner.
- More importantly, for awnings, the entire gas fire pit should have a minimum of 6 feet (1.8 meters) of clearance above the burner.
- Thus, if a gas fire pit burner is at the height of 2 feet (0.6 meters) from the floor, your awning should be 8 feet (2.43 meters) high, if not higher.
- The minimum vertical clearance may be more than 6 feet (~1.8 meters) for a larger gas fire pit. If that’s 8 feet (2.43 meters), the awning must be 10 feet (3 meters) high.
- Likewise, if a gas fire pit burner is more than 2 feet (0.6 meters) from the floor, the vertical clearance will further increase the awning height requirement.
- Furthermore, only 1 side may be blocked, with the other sides being permanently open for adequate natural ventilation.
These clearance requirements apply to combustible awnings on:
- Decks
- Patios
- Gazebos
- Pergolas
- Verandas
Suppose your awning’s height meets the clearance requirements, but you don’t have 3 open sides. For example, a patio or pergola may have permanent or retractable structures on one or more sides. Such screened outdoor spaces with awnings should have more than 30% open area on 3 sides.
The openings may vary between manufacturers, and your local codes might have regulations for screened structures. Also, these requirements are irrespective of whether or not your awning is retractable. The only exception in most cases would be noncombustible awnings.
Features of a Fire Pit Awning
All provisions in the International Fire Code and manufacturers’ clearance requirements are for gas fire pits under combustible awnings.
So, as long as the structure or material is combustible, the awning type or other features don’t matter, such as the following:
- Patio awnings
- Pergola awnings
- Vertical awnings
- Freestanding awnings
- Conservatory awnings
- Open and retractable
- Open or with coverboards
- Cassette or semi-cassette
- Sensors and remotes
- Manual, motorized, etc.
Various materials are used for awnings, but all of them can be classified in the following categories:
- Combustible
- Fire retardant
- Fire resistant
- Noncombustible
Let’s discuss the combustibility issue first because it is the most vital point. Subsequently, I’ll elaborate on the ventilation, which is a significant factor for any type of gas fire pit.
Combustible Fire Pit Awning Materials
Generally, most materials, including fabrics and fibers, used for awnings are combustible, such as the following:
- Wood
- Cotton
- Canvas
- Polyester
- Plastics
Many companies manufacture special fabrics and fibers, including polymers or plastics, that are treated to be fire retardant. But those materials are still not classified as noncombustible.
Hence, all the minimum clearance requirements apply for these materials too.
Fire Retardant Fire Pit Awning Materials
You might be familiar with fire retardant awnings. Fire retardant materials can endure a flame but only to a certain extent. Some of these materials can stop the spread of a fire or slow it down significantly.
A leading brand in this niche is Sunbrella. The fibers used to make their awnings are fire retardant polymers, most of which have an acrylic or urethane backing or coating.
Another example of a popular fire retardant material is a polycarbonate resin. The company, SABIC owns the trademark and manufactures LEXAN polycarbonate, which is one of the most popular mainstream fire retardant materials.
The fire retardant awning materials of Sunbrella and SABIC are rated by various agencies as per the stringent standards of different certifications.
For instance, Sunbrella’s Firesist meets the following standards and approvals, among others:
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 701-99 (Test Method II): Chapter 701 lists the standard methods to test fire and flame propagation of films and textiles.
- Canvas Products Association International 84 or CPAI-84: This test or certification is specifically for flame resistant materials for camping, tentage, and fabric roofing.
- California State Fire Marshal Title 19 and Code of Regulations.
- The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 302 or FMVSS 302: This standard is for the flammability of the interior materials of cars, trucks, buses, etc.
Likewise, SABIC LEXAN meets many national and international standards.
But instead of listing the certifications, here’s a YouTube video of this polycarbonate on fire:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jeg40vPr7Vs
Now, if you were to install a fire pit awning, these flame resistant or retardant materials would be more suitable than combustible fabrics. However, not all fire retardant materials are necessarily noncombustible. Thus, the minimum clearance requirements may still apply to a gas fire pit.
Many flame resistant or fire retardant materials have binders, coatings, and other components that aren’t as immune or invulnerable. Besides, these companies don’t manufacture identical products. You’ll need to assess the specific characteristics of any material you choose.
Furthermore, your local codes or a gas fire pit manufacturer’s clearance requirements may or may not consider any fire retardant awnings to be eligible for a concession.
Fire Resistant Fire Pit Awning Materials
Fire retardant materials prevent or slow down the spread of flames similar to fire resistant materials but they are inherently different. On one hand, fire retardant materials have special coatings to protect them from fire which is why many of them are synthetic and trademarked.
On the other hand, fire resistant materials are naturally resistant to burning. So, fire resistant fire pit awning materials will naturally be significantly more durable when facing a fire. A fitting example for fire resistant materials is wool, the only fabric that neutralizes fire and does not burn itself readily.
Silk is another example because it doesn’t catch fire. However, silk shrinks as it burns, whereas wool is likely to contain and douse the flame. Both these fabrics are rarely used for awnings as they are generally impractical due to price and weather changes.
A few options that you can actually use for an awning are polyester and nylon. Both are easily available in large quantities as their production is not limited by trademark. They also have a good degree of water resistance which is important for any material you plan to leave outside.
However, there are even better options. Although they’re not as widely available, company-specific fire resistant brands exist. A good example is SPARK which is a fire-resistant formula based on polyester.
Other popular companies like Sunbrella also offer decent fire-resistant options.
Noncombustible Fire Pit Awning Materials
Fireplaces or hearths are always made of noncombustible materials, including but not limited to the following:
- Brick
- Stone
- Concrete
- Metals or alloys
Likewise, your gas fire pit and its burner have a noncombustible construction. But your fire pit awning is unlikely to have a completely noncombustible setup. Only metal or alloy from the above list is suitable for awnings, especially the retractable variants.
If you have an aluminum or steel awning, your gas fire pit poses little to no risk to that structure. But a metal or alloy awning may have paint or other coating that isn’t necessarily fire resistant or flame retardant. Thus, the noncombustibility of the base material isn’t all-encompassing.
In other words, the minimum clearance requirements and local codes will apply to your fire pit awning’s specifications and features.
Minimum Clearance Requirements
The vertical clearance is the most crucial safety issue for gas fire pits under an awning, whether it is fixed or retractable.
The second critical factor is the clearance from any other combustible material nearby, such as:
- Siding
- Railing
- Furniture
- Upholstery
- Awning frame
Many homes have vinyl sidings and wood railings for their decks or patios. Both vinyl and wood are flammable. So, you need to maintain the minimum sideways clearance from the gas fire pit.
Furniture and upholstery aren’t the main concern, as those used outdoors are typically portable. You can move them around as and when necessary. However, any permanent structure or other features that compromise your safety need your attention.
For instance, your fire pit awning must have a noncombustible or fire retardant mounting frame. Otherwise, a gas fire pit should have the minimum clearance from the frame, whether vertically or horizontally. The same regulation applies to wooden railings or fences.
The Importance of Natural Ventilation
An awning housing a gas fire pit must have 3 permanently open sides to prevent a buildup of exhaust gasses, including carbon monoxide. So, you cannot have protruding walls, screens, and other structures preventing natural ventilation.
Some houses have soffits or overhangs, and the awnings extend out to cover an outdoor space. Such soffits, overhangs, and any architectural feature or construction should be factored in while assessing the three-side ventilation requirement.
Apart from your awning or the overall structural setup, the ventilation requirement depends on the gas fire pit’s heating capacity. Gas fire pits can generate a lot of heat with larger models able to heat up massive enclosures
As a result, you must ensure proper ventilation and factor in your fire pit’s size. Match your ventilation requirements to your fire pit’s size.
Exhaust gasses and fumes buildup are usually the main reason you’ll need efficient ventilation. But there’s another cause of concern, especially if you have a combustible awning. The heat from a gas fire pit can have a drying effect on the combustible material of your awning.
Drier combustible materials can catch fire even when they are not in direct physical contact with a flame. Hence, fabrics or wood can overheat, become scorched dry over time, and burn if the gas fire pit doesn’t have sufficient ventilation under your awning.
This risk is why almost all gas fire pit manufacturers recommend 3 open sides. If any of these sides have screens or windows, there should be a minimum open space for ventilation, which depends on the gas fire pit’s size and BTU capacity.
Such requirements are in addition to the minimum clearance on all sides from any combustible material, including the vertical distance between the gas fire pit burner and your awning.
Final Thoughts
A gas fire pit can be under an awning if you have the minimum clearances and ensure adequate ventilation. That said, check your local codes and review the manufacturer’s guidelines. If you’re in doubt, consult an installer. You don’t want a fire marshal visiting your home to find a violation.
Sources
- Code Publishing: Chapter 15.44 Fire Code
- The Outdoor GreatRoom Company: Gas Fire Pit Distances
- Sunbrella: Homepage
- Patio Lane: Sunbrella Info & Warranty
- SABIC: LEXAN
- National Fire Protection Association: NFPA 701 – Fire Tests for Textiles and Films
- Textiles.org: Canvas Products Association International 84 or CPAI-84
- Office of the State Fire Marshal (California): Title 19
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Test Procedures for Evaluating Flammability of Interior Materials
- Roche Systems Limited: What Are the Different Awning Types?
- UpCodes: 3105.3 Awnings and Canopy Materials
- City of Phoenix: Flammable Fabrics
- Dickson: SPARK
