When it comes to outdoor fire pits, most local codes and regulations require a minimum of 10 feet from the house. In addition, a fire pit should also not be placed anywhere near overhanging tree branches. Some local codes also stipulate that fire pit should be placed far away from fences and any other combustible structures, preferably should be placed in a large open space.
However, we both know that this is not always the case, as is the case with those fire pit tables we love to incorporate in our patios or those portable fire pits we love moving around the yard and patio that improve our outdoor living experience.
Having a fire pit 10 feet or more away from the house or any other combustible structure is all well and good but this does not make fire pits less dangerous or completely eliminate the dangers of open fire in the case of a wood burning fire pit.
This days, with the way fire pits are being incorporated into homes, placing a fire pit 10 feet away in a large space away from structures may not entirely work for various reasons the obvious one being space. Fire pits are now being placed in patios close to the house, and some even built in structures that are completely combustible such as pergolas and gazebos.
The truth is, with wood burning fire pits, there will always be the danger of flying embers that could cause serious damage to property, start fires and cause body injury, even when placed 10 feet away. But what if you just don’t have the space or you want to safely use a fire pit in a pergola or gazebo without burning down property or getting bodily harm as a result of these hot embers?
Building a fire a safe distance away from the nearest structure is a good safety measure but preventing those embers from escaping in the first place by using a fire pit spark screen is the best safety measure you can take.
Fire pit screens are safety tools used over the fire pit to prevent any flying embers from escaping from the fire pit. With a fire pit spark screen you are assured of safety because the embers stay contained in the fire pit.
Do not go using a wood burning fire pit without a fire pit screen because that might be a disaster waiting to happen, whether it’s on your clothes or property. Get to enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire pit without having to worry about your favorite coat getting burn holes, damaging your property or getting serious burns on your body.
But before you go of building a permanent fire pit remember to check with your local officials regarding the requirements, dos and don’ts of open flames because some local codes in some localities completely do not allow open flames especially in the case of residential communities. These codes and regulations will offer you some insight on everything you need to know about fire pit use from the distance to the house, nearby structures, and neighbors yard and property to the fire pit size. Also you get to know on the required safety measures required on site such as availability of a fire extinguishers.
