With fire pits becoming more popular, you may be looking to build one in your backyard or patio. Fire pits are cheaper than fireplaces and can provide you with a camping experience at home. But what are the safety requirements for building a fire pit, and how much space do you need to build one?
A fire pit should be at least 7 feet (2.1 m) away from benches and 10-15 feet (3-4.6 m) away from the house, fences, or other structures. If you have a circle-shaped fire pit, it will need an empty 20-25 foot (6-7.6m) radius. You shouldn’t sit closer than 5-7 feet from (1.5-2.1 m) the fire pit.
In this article, I’ll discuss the requirements for building and using a fire pit. I’ll also discuss safety tips to minimize the risk of burns and give you some pointers on where to install a fire pit.
How Much Empty Space Do You Need Around a Fire Pit?
You need at least 20-25 feet (6-7.6 meters) of space around a fire pit, especially if it’s near a house, tree, or anything that could catch on fire. The minimum distance between your fireplace and the house, deck, or other structure is usually 20 feet (6.1 meters), although this can vary depending on local legislation.
Not all fire pits are the same size, and larger ones should be further away from the house. Having a fire pit too close to your house will carry a risk of cinders landing in unwanted spots on windy days. This could significantly increase the risk of a house fire.
Having at least 20 feet (6.1 meters) as a buffer zone between the fire pit and your house reduces the fire risk and makes installing a fire pit much safer. The same applies to the distance between a fire pit and trees, although you can keep a fire pit as little as 10 feet (3 meters) away from trees.
You can use some portable fire pits on grass or wooden decks, but they should be equipped with the necessary protective barriers. The same distance requirements apply if you’re using a fire pit on your patio or wooden deck. If you have a propane fire pit, you can keep it slightly closer to the house but ensure that it’s at least 10-15 feet (3-4.6 meters) away.
Additionally, never install a fire pit without checking the local legislation or consulting a local fire pit installation company. Some areas may require you to have more distance between the fire pit and your house based on the location’s climate.
What Are the Build Requirements for Fire Pits?
When building a fire pit in your yard or patio, you must follow certain distance, material, positioning, and design requirements. You’ll also have to ensure that all local legislation regarding the installation of fire pits is met.
Let’s look at some of the most common build requirements for fire pits in more detail:
Distance
Before building a fire pit, you’ll have to choose the ideal spot. When looking at the ideal placement for your fire pit, don’t just look at whether it’s at the minimum required distance from your house. Make sure to check that the fire pit isn’t too close to bushes or tree branches that may catch fire.
You’ll also have to keep enough space around the fire pit to place chairs or built-in benches. Since these benches also need to be at a distance from the fire pit, you’ll need more space than you may have initially estimated.
Material
Fire pit materials can’t be combustible, so you’ll have to choose between brick, stone, or heavy-duty metal. Brick and metal fire pits are often cheaper, but stone gives the best impression. Some fire pit companies also offer fiberglass fire pits that come in different color shades, but these are extremely expensive.
If you want an in-ground fire pit, you’ll have to line the sides with either metal or stone. Never use regular metal as it will get damaged over time, especially in a wood fire pit. You may also have to consider building a border for the fire pit made from either brick or stone.
Depth
The average recommended depth for a fire pit is 10-15 feet (3-4.6 meters). If you have a 6-foot (1.8 m) wide fire pit and want to use the edges as a sitting wall, you can make it at least 20 feet (6.1 meters) deep. Avoid anything less than 10 feet as it will be a safety risk.
Portable fire pits will come with a built-in depth of around 8-10 feet, although most of these are gas-powered and therefore don’t need to have that much depth. Avoid going too deep with propane or gas fire pits as they don’t generate as much heat as wood ones.
Wind Positioning
When installing a new fire pit, always take the wind direction into account. Try to place the fire pit downwind from the house and other structures for safety. If your firepit is upwind from the house, you’ll need to place it a little further away to be safe.
Local Build Requirements
Lastly, always check the local build requirements before installing a new fire pit. Some areas won’t allow you to place the fire pit on grass, especially if the climate is drier. You’ll also have to look at specific restrictions for playing fire pits on wooden decks or near your property’s boundary.
These building requirements are stricter in urban and suburban areas, and you may have to take further precautions if you live in a locality where wildfires are common. You’ll have to get permission in some areas before installing a fire pit on your property.
Seating Requirements Around Fire Pits
Always keep seating requirements in mind when considering different fire pit designs. How far you install the seating will depend on the type of fire pit seating you choose and the size of your fire pit. If you have a wood fire pit, you’ll have to place the seating slightly further away from the fire, and movable seating is preferred. The opposite applies to gas or propane fire pits.
Built-in benches are suitable for propane fire pits as the propane heats up uniformly, and you won’t have to adjust the seating constantly. You can install seating around 2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters) away from a propane fire pit, depending on the fire pit’s size.
While you can install built-in benches with a wood fire pit, it’s much better to have chairs or couches since wood burns more inconsistently. However, wooden fire pits generate more heat, and you’ll have to install the seating at least 5-7 feet (1.5-2.1 meters) away from the fire pit.
The benches or chairs should also be made from a non-combustible material. You should also choose your seating based on how many people you want to accommodate around the fire pit. A sofa or bench design will work best if you want to maximize seating space.
Gas vs. Wood Fire Pits
Whether you’re installing a fire pit or buying a portable one, you’ll have the option to choose between gas and wood fire pits. Both are safe if you follow the right installation and operating procedures, but wood fire pits are more common as people want to recreate that camping feeling.
Propane fire pits are often smaller and portable, although you can also have a large one installed in your backyard. They are slightly safer than wood fire pits because they burn consistently, and there’s less risk of wood cinders flying around. You can also control the flame and keep it lower on windy days.
However, propane fire pits don’t generate as much heat, and you may need to place the seating closer to the fire. It also gives an artificial feel that beats a fire pit’s purpose for some people.
Wood fire pits carry more risk but are completely safe if there’s a big enough buffer zone between the fire pit and your house. Wood fire pits also burn with more heat and give off a “camping feel.”
However, you’ll need more space for a wood fire pit since it generates more heat. You may also need a flexible seating plan since the heat doesn’t flow consistently. Wood fire pits also require more caution when operating them, and you’ll have to avoid using the fire pit in windy conditions.
Safety Requirements for Using a Fire Pit
With fire pits becoming more common, fire-related injuries are also rising. This has less to do with design flaws of fire pits and is often due to carelessness. Always take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and others when operating a fire pit. As the saying goes, “never play with fire.”
Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind to safely use a fire pit:
Lighting the Fire Pit
Most burns occur when people use the wrong method or material to light a fire pit. A propane fire pit should have a built-in ignition system, or you can light it with a match. Avoid opening the gas fully when starting the fire and throw the match from a distance. Wood fire pits require more precaution to light.
Light a wood fire pit the same way you would start a fire. Place small twigs or easy combustible material underneath the large wood pieces. Once the flame starts getting high, place some charcoal over it to keep it in check.
Never light a fire pit with gasoline, as it’s a major safety risk. While it may be easier to start a fire this way, there’s more risk of the fire spreading, and fires lit with gasoline may not extinguish with water.
Monitor Small Children
Never leave small children unattended around a fire pit. In fact, you should never leave a fire pit unattended as things could go south at any moment, and you may need to extinguish the fire. If you have pets, take special care when they’re around.
If you have small children in the yard, consider placing a safety net around the fire pit to prevent them from jumping in.
Extinguishing the Fire
Knowing how to extinguish a fire is a crucial part of the correct operating procedure. If you have a propane fire pit, you can easily extinguish it by shutting off the gas. A bucket of water should be enough to extinguish a wood fire pit if you don’t want to wait for the wood to burn out.
Always have a fire extinguisher nearby if the fire spreads and isn’t going out with water. You can also keep a bucket of sand to throw over the fire in case of emergencies.
What Not To Burn
Burning the wrong items can be a health hazard and may also be against your local legislation. If you have a wood fire pit, only burn wood, twigs, or leaves. Avoid using softwood as it often smells bad and creates too much smoke.
Never burn household junk, rubber, plastics, or any synthetic material in your fire pit, as it’s both illegal and may result in lung poisoning.
Portable Fire Pits
Portable fire pits are a great option if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative or don’t want to disrupt your yard. You can use a portable fire pit in the yard or on your patio, but ensure it’s at least 15 feet away from your house. Portable fire pits can also double down as grills and can be helpful when it comes to hosting barbeque parties.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning on installing a fire pit in your house, make sure you place it 15-20 feet (4.6-6.1 meters) away from your house or other structures. Additionally, ensure that the fire pit’s design meets the local building and safety requirements. While you can build a DIY fire pit, having a professional do it for you is much safer.
Always follow safe operational procedures and avoid lighting the fire pit in bad weather. The last thing you want is to burn your house down because of negligence!
Sources
- Outback Landscape: Backyard Fire Pits: The Ultimate Guide to Safe Design, Sizing and Construction
- Outland Living: Fire Pit: Distance from House, Safety Rules & Guidelines
- Designing Idea: Fire Pit Dimensions (Measurements & Size Guide)
- Clever Patio: How Far Should Seating Be From A Fire Pit?
- Backyard Toasty: Fire Pit Placement: Picking the Right Spot for Your Fire Pit
- Modern Cabin Living: Gas vs Wood Burning Fire Pits (Pros and Cons)
- Burn Injury Guide: Burn Statistics
