Fire pits are an excellent way to enjoy the outdoors, providing warmth and light during cool nights while creating a perfect environment to unwind with family and friends. You can roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and share stories with your friends. But how safe is it to have a fire pit on a pool deck?
Having a fire pit on a pool deck is safe, provided you take some precautions. Your fire pit should be 10 feet (3 meters) away from the pool and other structures, including your house. Install a fire pit spark screen to contain any sparks and use a fire pit pad or mat to protect your deck from heat.
The rest of this comprehensive guide will explore more topics related to fire pits and pool decks, including how to safely use a fire pit on a pool deck and the safest fire pits perfect for pool decks. Let’s dive in!
How To Safely Use a Fire Pit on a Pool Deck
While a fire pit is a great addition to any pool deck, it can pose a serious safety hazard when misused. The flickering flames, hot coals, and sparks can easily damage your deck or injure your guests. To avoid any accidents, it is essential to follow these safety tips:
1. Determine the Best Fuel Source
Before installing a fire pit on your pool deck, you need to decide which type of fuel source is best. Fire pits are available in different types, each relying on a different fuel source to keep the fire burning steadily. The three most common types of fuel sources for fire pits are:
- Wood
- Natural gas
- Propane
Each has its benefits and drawbacks that you need to consider before choosing one for your pool deck.
- Wood-burning fire pits are the most popular and rely on wood as their primary fuel source. They provide a more authentic experience, creating crackling sounds and the traditional campfire smell. However, they can be messy, produce a lot of smoke, and require more maintenance. They are also unsuitable for wooden decks as the sparks can easily damage the wood.
- Natural gas-powered fire pits are safer since they do not produce sparks. They are relatively easy to operate and maintain. However, they can be expensive to install since you need to run a gas line to the fire pit.
- Propane-powered fire pits offer an excellent middle ground between wood-burning and natural gas fire pits. They are smokeless, emit more heat, and do not produce sparks, making them a safer option for use on a pool deck. However, the propane tank requires frequent refills.
2. Choose the Right Location
The distance between your pool and fire pit is critical to preventing accidents. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends keeping the fire pit at least 10 feet away from the pool and other structures, including your house, pool furniture, and overhangs. This will create a safe buffer zone if errant sparks fly from the fire pit.
When choosing the location for your fire pit, you also need to consider the wind direction. The last thing you want is for the smoke and flames to blow towards your guests or into your house. If possible, position the fire pit so the wind blows the smoke and flames away from your guests and structures.
Avoid placing the fire pit close to trees and bushes to lessen the chance of the fire spreading. The heat from the fire pit can easily ignite dried leaves and branches, quickly turning into a dangerous situation. Clear any debris, including leaves, sticks, and twigs, from the area around the fire pit to create a safe zone.
3. Create a Fire-Resistant Barrier for Your Pit
Never place a fire pit directly on your deck. The heat from the fire can damage the deck, and the sparks can easily ignite any flammable materials close by, putting your home at risk of a fire.
Instead, create a barrier between the fire pit and your deck using heat-resistant pads or pavers. A fire pit pad protects your deck from embers, sparks, and heat while allowing you to enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fire.
If using a paver, choose one made from concrete, stone, or brick. These materials can withstand high temperatures without cracking or breaking. Avoid wooden or plastic pavers as they can easily catch fire. When laying pavers, be careful not to scratch or damage the surface of your deck.
4. Install a Spark Screen/Arrestor
Flying sparks and embers is one of the quickest ways a fire can spread, making them a serious hazard when using a fire pit on a pool deck. On windy days, the sparks can easily blow 10 feet (3 meters) from the fire pit, landing on dry leaves, deck chairs, and even people.
Always use a spark screen/arrestor when operating your fire pit to prevent this from happening. A spark screen is a metal mesh cover that sits on top of the fire pit and blocks sparks and embers from escaping, preventing them from igniting anything nearby.
Choosing a screen that is the right size for your fire pit and has a tight-fitting lid to prevent sparks from slipping through the cracks is crucial. Some fire pits come with a built-in spark screen, while others require you to purchase one separately.
If you’re using a wood-burning fire pit, get a screen made from heavy-duty steel, as the sparks can easily damage a flimsier screen. Having a poker tool also comes in handy for rearranging the wood and ashes inside the fire pit without having to remove the spark screen.
5. Clear the Pool Deck Before Using the Fire Pit
Before using your fire pit, sweep the pool deck to remove flammable materials such as leaves, sticks, and pool chemicals. This will help prevent accidental fires. Also, clear away pool toys, floats, and other items that could blow into the fire pit and cause a fire.
Remember, embers and sparks will fly as the fire snaps or crackles. If flammable materials are nearby, they could easily catch fire, putting your home and loved ones at risk. By taking a few minutes to clean up the area around the fire pit, you can help prevent accidents.
6. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Close By
Despite taking all the necessary safety measures, accidents can still occur. That’s why it’s crucial to have a fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. Ideally, the fire extinguisher should be placed within reach of the fire pit so you can quickly grab it if a fire starts.
Familiarize yourself with how to use the fire extinguisher before you need it so that you can act quickly in an emergency. Most fire extinguishers require you to pull a pin, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and squeeze the lever.
It’s also a good idea to keep a hose close in case the fire gets out of control, and you need to douse it with water. If you don’t have a hose, buckets of water can also be used to put out the flames.
7. Never Leave the Fire Unattended
A knock on the door, a phone call, or even a distraction from a noisy neighbor can cause you to turn your back on the fire for just a few minutes. But in that short time, the fire can quickly get out of control and spread to nearby flammable materials.
That’s why it’s essential to never leave the fire unattended. If you need to step away for any reason, ensure to extinguish the flames first. Once the fire is out, carefully watch it until it’s completely cool before leaving the area.
If you have young children or pets, it’s also a good idea to keep them away from the fire pit when it’s in use. Accidents can happen quickly; it only takes a second for a curious child or pet to get too close to the flames.
8. Clean Up the Ashes After the Fire
When you decide it’s time to pack up the fire pit for the night, dispose of the ashes properly. Never leave them on the pool deck, as they can still contain embers that could reignite and cause a fire.
The best way to dispose of ashes is to wet them with a hose or bucket of water and then place them in a metal trash can. Once the ashes are wet, they can’t reignite, so you can feel safe disposing of them in this manner.
You can also place the ashes in a metal bucket and then put them in your garage or shed overnight. Ensure the bucket is out of reach of children and pets, as the ashes can still be hot and cause burns.
Best Fire Pit Designs for Pool Decks
The type of fire pit you choose will also affect how safe it is to use on your pool deck. There are a few different designs to choose from, and each has its safety considerations.
Enclosed Tabletop Fire Pits
Enclosed tabletop fire pits are small, portable fire pits that sit on top of a table or other surface. They’re a good option for small decks as they take up minimal space.
Most tabletop fire pits are fueled by gel fuel cans, which are filled with a flammable liquid. The cans are placed inside the fire pit and then lit. Once the gel fuel is ignited, it will burn until the can is empty.
Tabletop fire pits are relatively safe to use on a deck as long as you take precautions.
- Ensure the fire pit is on a level surface to prevent it from tipping over.
- Use only gel fuel that is specifically designed for use in fire pits. Regular gasoline or other flammable liquids can be dangerous and should never be used.
Portable Fire Pits
Portable fire pits are small, self-contained units that can be placed on any surface. They’re fueled by wood, gel fuel, or propane and typically have a fire screen to help contain the flames and sparks. Their portability makes them a good option for decks as you can move them around to different locations.
Common portable fire pits include:
- Steel bowl fire pits. Made from steel or cast iron, these are the simplest type of portable fire pit. They have a bowl-shaped design with a fire screen that sits on top and are primarily fueled with wood.
- Pagoda fire pits. Inspired by Asian design, these fire pits are taller than bowl fire pits and have a multi-tiered roof. They’re made from steel, aluminum, or cast iron.
- Chimineas Chimineas are tall, cylindrical fire pits with a large front opening. They’re usually made from cast iron, steel, or ceramic and can be used to burn wood or coal.
When using a portable fire pit on your deck, ensure the unit is placed on a level surface to prevent it from tipping over. Use a fire screen to help contain the flames and sparks, and never leave the fire unattended.
In-Ground Fire Pits
In-ground fire pits are permanent fixtures that are installed in the ground. They’re a good option for large decks or patios as they can be customized to fit any space. Unfortunately, they have a huge upfront cost and are difficult to install.
When installing an in-ground fire pit, use fire-resistant materials such as brick, stone, or concrete. Other safety considerations include:
- Must be adequately vented to prevent the build-up of carbon monoxide.
- They should also have a fire screen to help contain the flames and sparks.
- Have a fire extinguisher or water source nearby in case of an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Installing a fire pit on a pool deck is a great way to extend the use of your outdoor space. However, it’s essential to take safety precautions to prevent accidents.
Place it 10 feet (3 meters) away from the pool, create a fire-resistant barrier using pavers or bricks, and use a fire screen to help contain the flames and sparks. Most importantly, never leave the fire unattended. With these safety tips in mind, you can enjoy the warmth of a fire pit on your pool deck all season long.
