Raymond WhitneyWe had a yard party using our fireplace on the grass one year ago. However, we didn’t cover it with anything to shield it from the heat.
Permanent fire pits come with thermal protection built into the design, however, freestanding models require to be placed on a fire circle, cement pavers a heat shield, as well as a mat for fire protection, to safeguard the grass or patio.
If you’re decking with wood or Trex it is necessary to install thermal barriers such as DeckProtect(TM) in order to be sure that you do not cause harm.
Let’s look at the subject more deeply and look at what needs to be under your fire pit, based on the kind of surface that you planned to place it on.
What Can You Place on to build a fire Pit On?
There are a variety of safe methods to build that firepit of your desires on the spot you’ve always wanted – without causing harm to your deck, patio, or lawn.
For fire pits that are freestanding, you can include fire rings, cement pavers or a heat shield, or a mat for fire protection. To build fire pits include a layer of heat-absorbing materials like rocks.
Fire pits that are wood-burning are hotter than gas ones. A lot of fire pits are constructed out of steel which is a good conductor. The temperature beneath the pit will be nearly as hot as the fire itself.
A small wood fire is burning at 600 degrees F. A fire that is roaring can be seen burning at 1,400 degrees F. The most intense fire happens when the flames have died and the flame has been reduced to the point of embers. It’s then around 2,000degrees F.
Safety is always a concern when it comes to fireplace pits. There are many aspects to take into consideration when choosing the location of the fire pit.
The first step is to check with your homeowner’s association regarding their fire pit regulations.
In the event that your pit burns wood, the pit should not have overhanging trees or roofs. It is not recommended that gazebo fabrics accidentally blow into the flames.
Safety experts advise that your fire pit must be at least 15 feet away from anything that might cause a fire – such as the roof of a storehouse or wooden fence trees, or even your home.
The branches that hang overhanging the tree should be kept at least 10 to 15 feet off. Property lines must not be more than 10 feet from the property line.
In the event that your fireplace is a gas-burning one, there are fewer space limitations. Gas fire pits aren’t as hot, they don’t release sparks, and they can be shut down with the flick of a switch. Tables made of gas are secure. Experts suggest the gas fireplaces are situated 10 feet from the house.
Gas fire pits work under a gazebo, or on a roof if it’s at least six feet away. Be sure to are able to breathe fresh air surrounding the propane fire pit.
Fire pits should not be wobbly. The fire pit’s location should be well-level. If you don’t have an area to build your fire pit, grab a shovel and create one. Make sure to place your fire pit within the lee of the winds that are blowing.
Take these simple safety measures near: a fire-proof blanket and the bucket of sand, an empty bucket of water, or a hose, a dry, chemical emergency extinguisher, and your mobile phone in case you require assistance.
Do You Always Need To Use a Fire Ring?
Always use something to safeguard your deck, your lawn, or a patio that is made of cement or a patio with a concrete paver. Fire rings are among the best options.
If you own concrete patios or concrete paver-based patios based on the material used in the concrete bricks or pavers they will either expand or contract in extreme temperatures. The contraction and expansion can lead to splits, cracks, and even crumbling.
Extreme heat can alter the chemical composition of mortar. Without protection against heat at some point, bricks or pavers will need to be replaced.
A fire ring made of steel that is filled with heat-absorbing rocks and sand will protect the wall material. Make sure to fill the fire ring with rocks and sand.
The steel fire ring provides the structural foundation for a brick or pavers ring. It keeps your fire pit looking beautiful.
Pick the fire pit ring that has the largest gauge of steel. The greater the gauge (like 20 gauge) is, the longer it’ll last. The more likely that your fire pit rings are a single weld piece, the more they can withstand extremely high temperatures. The larger the number of pieces, the weaker the fire rings.
How Can You Use the Fire Pit on grass without killing it?
Grass can suffer or suffer or die in the heat of a fire pit. This is known as heat stress and we’ve all witnessed it during the hottest part of summer in the midst of a 100deg F heatwave. Imagine grass with temperatures of 1,400 degrees F.
Concrete patio slabs or concrete pavers are ideal to place your fire pit. Concrete isn’t a fire hazard as well as they’re robust and heavy enough to give stability. Check to ensure that your fire pit doesn’t move. make sure the pit is level and put them in if required.
Pit mats that are fire-proof can be a fantastic alternative to stepping on the grass. These barriers that are heat-resistant are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are easy to roll up. Imagine a huge silicone mat. They’re not strong, sturdy mats, but they’re extremely versatile. They can be put into the back of the car to go camping.
Pit mats are cleaned by washing them with detergent and water. The pit mat makers say you must have no less than 4 inches of space between them and your fire pit’s bottom.
Heat shields reflect heat towards the fire pit, and away from the surface that the pit rests on. They are constructed of metal with a high gauge and are strong flat surfaces suitable for mobile fire pits. Certain models claim that they reflect 95 percent of the warmth back to the source. They can weigh as much as 25 pounds, making them easy to move around the yard and deck or patio.
Whatever you decide to put underneath your fire pit it’s recommended to move it about now and then. Grass requires sun. As a precautionary measure against burning embers and heat stress that could ignite, you should sprinkle water on the grass around the fire pit prior to making use of it.
Does a Fire Pit ruin concrete on a Patio?
Yup. It’s not fast however the fire pit can harm concrete in time. To stop concrete from getting damaged by the firepit You can put down pit mats or fire ring or even a heat shield.
The good news is that concrete isn’t prone to fire like wood decks might. Concrete is totally not flammable. The only downside is that temperatures that are high cause concrete materials expand unless they are able to contract.
The temperatures of fire pits that burn wood can reach a warm 2,000 degrees F. This kind of heat can cause concrete to lose its moisture and flake or spall. Here’s a terrifying video about spalling by an expert in concrete. Concrete with certain materials (like limestone) will degrade and cause the concrete to crack and then fail.
Other materials – such as quartz sand, for instance – expand with the heat and can cause cracks. The heat can alter the chemistry of cement used to make the concrete (called the process of calcination) and could cause it to change color slightly pink.
If you’ve taken the extra step of building a patio and utilized rebar, your results will be worse. If rebar temperatures exceed 500deg F and become brittle, it will crack and begins to deform. If the rebar begins to shrink, it could break the concrete.
If your fire pit is constructed in the ground, you might need to fill in cracks. The cement that surrounds the pit needs to be replaced.
Can you put a fire Pit on a Paver Patio Made of Stone?
The fire pit can ruin and alter the color of the stone. Stones are durable however they aren’t invincible.
The good thing is that rocks do not catch fire. However, extreme temperatures could cause them to weaken. Extreme heat can cause chemical changes in certain rock types. There are numerous studies on the structure of stones that demonstrate that a stone’s color can change spall, crack, or crack following an incident of fire.
Stones with light colors can be heavily discolored due to soot.
Does a Fire Pit cause damage to Trex or Wood Decking?
Yup. Trex decking softens at 176 degrees F and wood starts to ignite at 450 degrees F which means you’ll require protection from the heat under the fire pits on both surfaces.
Trex does not recommend putting the fire pit that is a wood-burning on the top of the Trex decking. They suggest a product called DeckProtect(TM). DeckProtect(TM) is one kind that is a thermal block.
It is made from volcanic rock fiber tiles that are set in an aluminum frame of heavy gauge. The rubber feet are of high quality and ensure that the tray is elevated over the deck preventing the deck from becoming a mold underneath the tray.
Final Words
If you have a permanent flame pit heatproofing is likely to be integrated into the base.
If you’ve purchased an outdoor model that is freestanding and portable, then you’ll need to set it on either a circle, cement pavers, a heat shield, or a fire-retardant mat so that it won’t cause damage to your pavers, patio, or lawn.
For decking made of wood or Trex, You’ll require thermal barriers such as DeckProtect(TM) in order to umm safeguard your deck.
