Fire Pit Safety: Understanding the Importance of Non-Combustible Base Materials

There’s nothing quite like an outdoor fire pit to add warmth and ambiance. Fire pits are great for any season, and serve as a place where people can congregate for a relaxing evening under the stars.

At the same time, there are important safety tips that you should follow when operating a fire pit, as not doing so can be very dangerous. When not used and installed properly, a fire pit can present many hazards, including burns to people and even fires to the surrounding environment.

One of the biggest keys to operating a fire pit safely is ensuring that the structure in which it’s “housed” is made of non-combustible base materials. We’ll discuss what this means in more depth below.

Understanding Combustible and Non-Combustible Materials

A combustible material is anything that catches fire and burns easily. Think of it as the things you would typically put into the fire pit itself to create the fire — wood and paper, for instance.

Other combustible materials include gasoline, plastic and fabric. Having some combustible materials in the inside of your fire pit is key to setting a strong fire, but it’s also important to note that they can increase the risk of injury and fire outside of the pit itself.

This is why a proper fire pit will be made of a base that includes non-combustible materials — or those that don’t burn or ignite very easily. Such materials include concrete, steel and masonry. Steel can be used in the actual construction of the base of fire pits, or it can be used in the form of mineral wool insulation to keep heat in.

To ensure building safety and fire protection, it’s essential to have non-combustible materials as part of the base of your fire pit.

Fire Pit Safety Risks and Hazards

Fire pits can seem innocuous enough, but they can present big risks to the people and environment around them. If sparks “jump” outside the fire pit, for instance, it can cause an unintentional residential fire, which can cause significant injury and damage to structures and the surrounding environment.

If fire makes its way outside of the pit, it can damage property and structures such as sheds and garages, outdoor furniture and landscaping. That’s why it’s so important to take preventive measures to minimize the risks of fire accidents happening.

Some of the most common safety hazards that fire pits present include letting a fire get out of control or leaving it unattended, placing the pit too close to other combustible materials, not using a heat shield or pad, and not having a fire extinguisher handy just in case.

As you can see, all of these hazards are preventable, since they are all human-caused errors.

Choosing the Right Fire Pit Location

When you are setting up or purchasing a fire pit, it’s important to choose the location for it wisely. It’s recommended to have at least 10 feet between where the fire pit is located and your house or other combustible materials such as plants and trees.

A good thing to do is look up and make sure that you can see nothing but the sky above where you’re locating your fire pit. You don’t want anything to hang overhead, such as branches, as they could catch fire if a spark flies into the air above.

There should also be proper ventilation around your fire pit, which helps to prevent accidental fires and even ensures equal burning. What’s more, the fire pit itself should sit level on the ground, and what’s underneath should be made of non-combustible materials. In other words, a fire pit shouldn’t sit directly on top of grass.

From an operational standpoint, ensure that you’re always monitoring the fire when it’s lit to prevent accidental fires from happening. And just in case something does happen, make sure there’s a fire extinguisher close by and that you know how to use it.

Non-Combustible Base Materials for Fire Pits

As mentioned, non-combustible materials must be a part of your fire pit construction. They help to reduce the risk of injury and prevent fires from spreading outside of the pit.

Whether you’re purchasing a portable fire pit or having a more permanent one installed, you need to make sure that the base materials are non-combustible. They should be made of mineral wool insulation, steel, concrete and/or masonry.

In many instances, the base materials will be a combination of the above, depending on what the construction will look like, where it is being installed and what other materials are present. 

An experienced mason like the professionals at All Brick can help you not only choose the right base materials for your fire pit but also the best location to promote safety and reduce risk.

Fire Pit Accessories and Safety

It’s also important to have the proper tools and accessories to prevent injuries and fire from spreading.

First, all fire pits should have a heat shield or a pad. This will prevent bigger sparks from making their way outside of the fire pit and also keep big logs inside as well.

You should also have fire pokers and tongs that are well-insulated and have long handles. This will make it easier for you to manage the fire, including moving logs around and adding new logs to the fire, without the risk of burning yourself.

Just in case something does happen, it’s important to have a fire extinguisher nearby that you know how to use. You should also have a bucket of sand or water nearby, which you can use to put out fires that escape the pit.

Fire Pit Maintenance and Monitoring

One of the biggest keys to fire pit safety is making sure that someone is constantly monitoring the fire. Someone should always have their eyes on the fire for as long as it burns.

In addition, it’s important to measure the speed and direction of the wind to prevent accidental fires from happening. If it’s too windy, it might be best to avoid having a fire altogether. 

In addition to having a fire extinguisher handy, make sure the one that you choose is rated for outdoor fires, as that can make all the difference in the world.

When you want to put the fire out for the night, pour water or sand on it. And when you’re starting a fire, never use gasoline or lighter fluid, as that can send flames out of control.

Local Regulations and Fire Pit Safety

Before you install a fire pit, it’s important to check your local rules, guidelines and laws that govern open fires. You want to make sure you’re in full compliance with all local and state laws and requirements, as well as any restrictions that might be in place with your homeowners association, if you have one.

You should also consult with your homeowners insurance agent to understand how owning a fire pit could affect your insurance policy. It’s never good to be surprised if something damaging were to occur.

Fire Pit Safety Tips

All fire protection starts with a well-thought-out plan. While fire pits can be a great addition to any household, you want to make sure that you’re providing a safe environment for all who are close by  —including your family, friends and pets.

By staying in compliance with all applicable laws and requirements, and by installing a fire pit properly in the first place, you’ll put yourself in the safest position possible to enjoy your outdoor fire.

Enjoy a Fire Pit in a Safe Way

There’s nothing quite like an outdoor fire, no matter what time of year it is. While it can add great ambience and serve as a focal point of your backyard, it’s important to provide the safest environment possible.

Understanding what combustible and non-combustible building materials are, and how they differ from each other, is crucial for a compliant building design. If you design a fire pit with combustible materials in places where they should not be, it could have a devastating impact on the final construction.

The ultimate goal of any fire pit installation is to reduce the risk of injury to what would be an acceptable level for the occupants of all surrounding buildings. This is done by limiting the fire load and fire hazards related to things such as height and area.

As you’re planning your fire pit installation, consult with the experts at All Brick. We have been mastering the art of masonry for more than 10 years, and serve clients all throughout Southeast Michigan.For more information or a free quote, please contact us today.

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