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Is Your Fire Pit Properly Distanced From Your Home? 11 Tips Included
4/13/2021 (Permalink)
Never leave a fire unattended!
Fire pit safety guidelines to avoid home fire damage
Many homeowners want more from their backyards than a typical wood deck with a barbecue grill. Nowadays, there is a growing attraction to features such as pools, outdoor kitchens, vegetable gardens, and fire pits. Fire pits come in many types, sizes, styles, and materials to choose from, allowing you to base your decisions depending on the available space in your backyard.
Before you start dreaming about a relaxing, cozy night under the stars, roasting marshmallows, there are several things you should consider before adding a fire pit to your backyard.
Any time you think about adding an open flame to your property, you need to consider the disasters that come along with it. Disasters never come with a warning, fire as small as a matchstick can turn out to be highly catastrophic. Let's look at a couple of things to be cautious about when it comes to installing a backyard fire pit.
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
Fire pits will bring a warm, serene feel to your outdoor setting, but bear in mind that open fires can be hazardous when installed on your porch or patio. You risk starting an uncontrollable fire if you don't keep your fire pit at a safe distance from your house.
Before deciding where to place your fire pit, you must first determine if you will be purchasing a portable fire pit or installing a permanent fire pit. There are several choices for both permanent and portable fire pits when it comes to price and design. When you've decided which one you want out of the two, you'll need to figure out where the right spot to place it.
- A fire pit should be (at least) 10 to 20 feet away from your house. 10 to 20 feet is the most recommended minimum distance; however, the farther away you choose to install your fire pit, the less likely it is to cause a fire hazard to your home.
- You should also keep the fire pit (at least)10 to 20 ft away from any shrubs, trees, or other flammable materials.
To figure out how far away items can be from your fire pit, calculate a 10 to 20-foot radius and imagine an imaginary circle around it. Having a radius will make it simple to ensure that your home and all other belongings are kept a safe distance from the open flame.
11 Fire pit safety tips
- Do not place a fire pit on uneven ground.
- Do not place the fire pit under any power lines.
- Build a fire in an open area and never under a building overhang.
- Only burn seasoned wood. (which has been dried for six months)
- Avoid using softwoods like birch and pine because they tend to produce more sparks.
- Do not burn treated construction lumber.
- Do not use any flammable liquids.
- Keep a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, or a garden hose nearby.
- Keep pets and kids away from the fire. (at least 3 feet)
- Be mindful of the wind direction.
- Never leave the fire unattended.
Remember that fires will spark and rise far higher in the air than you would expect, so make sure your fire pit is not only far away from your home but also away from any awnings or other covers.
Two Types of Fireplaces (Permanent Vs. Portable)
Permanent Fire Pits
The assistance and design of landscaping experts or experienced contractors are among the top advantages of a permanent fire pit. You can also purchase a ready-made kit that helps you to build a permanent fire pit.
Portable Fire Pits
Portable fire pits are designed to be movable and are available in a variety of designs. Steel, copper, and cast iron are the most common materials used to make portable fire pits.
Regardless of the type you pick, you must use appropriate materials (which do not disintegrate when the fire heats up).
Contact SERVPRO for fire damage restoration
Fire disasters from a fire pit can come without warning. Such an unfortunate thing can happen to anyone, so it is best to follow the fire pit safety tips we listed in this post. Be aware that SERVPRO of North Fulton specializes in fire restoration if your home does suffer from fire pit fire damages. We are available 24/7 and offer skilled, certified professionals who can restore your house to a pre-disaster state. As well, we will also help you with your fire insurance claim. Our goal is for you not to be able to tell that there was ever a fire!