Is this outdoor fire pit safe to use as-is?

Submitted by theonewhoexists t3_12001pn in DIY

The previous owners of the house built this fire pit in the yard. I have no idea what materials were used but it looks like concrete pavers on the bottom and a square steel fire ring on some surrounding pavers. Im not sure if it was used much or at all as the pavers on the bottom don’t look burnt?

Do I need to modify or add anything (like sand) to use the fire pit?

https://i.imgur.com/u3Pq6qb.jpg

Edit: I checked the fire code in my area, it should be 15 ft away from structures/combustible materials BUT it is exempt if it’s at a single family home or duplex and it’s a portable fireplace. Therefore I’ll be getting a solo stove or similar and this would also allow me to move it about 2 ft further from the fence 😊

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phixitup t1_jdfnn40 wrote

I scanned the comments and hope I’m not repeating anyone but to me it looks like a place to put a big plant in a square pot so the plastic container is hidden.

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TLOU2bigsad t1_jdftu2c wrote

Lol I came looking for this. This is not a fire pit. It’s a planter. There’s zero ash or anything resembling it

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tonkats t1_jdht581 wrote

Well, probably not hidden. But it would prevent any tall plant from tipping over in the wind. Like a 5' lemon tree that gets dragged outside every summer.

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hyperdream t1_jdf3q42 wrote

Besides being too close to a structure?

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frzn_dad t1_jdfb7y2 wrote

Or really anything flammable. Trees, dry grass, etc.

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Llien_Nad t1_jdfmgqn wrote

Wooden siding less than 4’ from a fire? OP, I wouldn’t burn much more than twigs in there, and never if there is any wind. Ask me how I know lol 🔥🔥🔥

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdfqp08 wrote

… did your house burn down?

Also it’s a fence and not the house. Anyways, my experience with fires are campfires at campsites and I’ve never had any issues with large sparks or the fire getting out of control.

Would you think that a solo stove would be a better solution in the same location or 2 ft over?

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dinglebaron t1_jdgce2o wrote

Yes that’s too close to a fence. Dry cedar would go up like a matchstick with the right conditions. I’ve seen neighbors clad their wooden fence with cheap metal siding which helps.

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R_Harry_P t1_jdhwk4d wrote

That's not a fence, that's extra fire wood.

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YamahaRyoko t1_jdimism wrote

Its technically against fire code in most states as well. I think in my state its 15' from any wooden structures including fence.

Aside from that, it doesn't look dangerous to use. I don't think pavers would explode like river rocks, and MANY people build firepit out of the bricks, blocks and pavers found at Home Depot

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdf7vkr wrote

Yeah definitely not ideal but the yard is small so it’s not possible to be 10ft away from structures. It could be a bit further from the fence but then it would block the path of travel so I can see why the previous owner chose the current location.

I personally planned to get a portable gas fire pit (the ones you can take camping during an early stage fire ban) but since the house came with this pit I feel like it’d be a waste to not use it especially if I’m really only looking to build a fire the size of those portable ones

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Whiskeyisamazing t1_jdgc8j2 wrote

Check your state/city ordinances. In my city, a portable fire pit must be 15 feet from any structure or overhanging hazard (tree branch/power lines, hence why we call it the 15-foot cubed rule. 15 feet in all directions, including up.)

Now, to be fair, you'll probably never get called out on it. Sort of like operating a grill on a deck, which is also not allowed.

The issue is if there ever is a fire and your insurance company sends a private fire inspector and they see a portable fire pit with nowhere to legally deploy it, they are going to deny the claim. Then you just eat the full costs. This is from a fire starting outside. If your furnace blows up, they won't care about the fire pit

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Mooseymax t1_jdh1c55 wrote

Interesting, in the UK, they recommend 10ft from a building but this is purely a recommendation and I don’t believe there is any hard and fast rule in place.

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DogyKnees t1_jdhtnqp wrote

"At least 6 inches from fireworks, ammo, and powder storage. But it's not a code, it's more like a guideline." --Cap'n Barbossa

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Whiskeyisamazing t1_jdijlau wrote

You guys don't have some sort of national fire council that issues recommendations? In the US, we have the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) that issues recommendations as they are not law makers. Basically, every state/city adopts those recommendations as building code.

Edit 1. I apologize I was wrong. The NFPA is a global organization. I've only interacted with NFPA for certs and building codes. I didn't realize they do more than just the US.

https://www.nfpa.org/About-NFPA#:~:text=The%20National%20Fire%20Protection%20Association,fire%2C%20electrical%20and%20related%20hazards.

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Not2daydear t1_jdfk62d wrote

Too close to the wood sided house and under a tree. I can’t think of a possibly worse place to have a fire pit. The fire pit itself looks fine. It’s location is an issue. It’s your house and you can do as you wish, but there is no way in the world. I would light that thing with a wood fire. I guess maybe because I worked for the fire marshal and I have seen way too many pictures of loss and death.

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdfqc29 wrote

It’s a fence and not a house. Also the tree is gone now.

Would a solo stove in a similar location or 2 ft away be any better?

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Not2daydear t1_jdfqy71 wrote

Any a flame near combustible object is never advised. Solo stove looks like it would be more controlled. You stated that your yard is very small and move in the fire pit to a different location would black a pathway. A portable fire pit could solve this problem. You pull it out to an area where it is not near anything combustible and it would not block the walkway when you are not using it and you could put it somewhere else. Even a barbecue should be at least 10 feet away from the home even if it is propane. An out of control fire is never expected. That’s why they are called accidents.

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdfsej1 wrote

Yes I mentioned the solo stove because it is portable. The 2ft away is because this concrete tile/block space is only about 15ft x 15ft with the fence on the east side, grass on the south side, house on the west side, and a plastic deck on the north side. So the more I move it away from the fence the closer I’d be moving it to the house.

Should I stick with the original gas fire pit idea then?

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Not2daydear t1_jdfswk2 wrote

I think gas or solo would work. Most of the time it’s not an issue. Most issues with fire pits come from the drinking that goes on around them. I would just move it a little further out from the fence. I’m glad that it is not a structure. That’s what I originally thought it was. My other concern was that there was a tree above it. A wood fire burns hotter, and also has the ability for the ash to fly than a gas fireplace, which has greater control in the height of the fire. Enjoy your new home and your fire pit whatever you decide.

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NotWorthTheTimeX t1_jdf2t06 wrote

Those look like landscaping blocks to me. It should ok as long as you don’t have an absolute inferno in there. Technically they could have trapped air in them and explode but my old neighbors had landscaping blocks around their fire ring and never had a problem.

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SyntheticCorners28 t1_jdf3cqj wrote

You are correct. The metal shroud should go all the way to the bottom to cover the exposed blocks. That is the way mine is designed. OP could backfill with crushed gravel to take up the space maybe?

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdf5pme wrote

Thanks! I’m not planning to have any bonfires, just a small fire here and there

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lakechapinguy t1_jdfpupy wrote

It seems rather small and by my experience (trial and error) the fire pit will be more of a smokey pit. I say that because the air (oxygen) needed for combustion would need to come down over the edge of the metal and meet the fire at the bottom, and it won't happen easily. Perhaps some spaces or holes are drilled into the metal for air, but it doesn't look like it. And the other things about too close, etc. You could try and build a few fires to check it out. Don't worry about the base pavers cracking, they might, but a layer of sand about an inch or so think, and the natural build-up of ash should insulate them. Send your picture to your insurance agent. You many get your answer.

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AmbitiousDistrict374 t1_jdfr8ro wrote

Definitely not safe, it's way too close to whatever is right beside it.

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Sid15666 t1_jdfv0y7 wrote

Make sure your fire insurance policy is current.

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minesskiier t1_jdf2h1d wrote

I mean it's not going to burn down.

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10_Virtues t1_jdfx3yo wrote

It’s steel and concrete. What’s not safe about it?

If it was painted or plastic or some other material with a lower burn temp yes it would be dangerous.

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Whiskeyisamazing t1_jdgbmek wrote

Lol nope. 25ft from a structure. And that's 25 ft in a cube. At least in my state. 15ft for a portable fire pit, 25ft for a fixed. Just tear it out, it's way to close.

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500owls t1_jdgbuht wrote

Do not, especially since now there's evidence of multiple people advising you not to.

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TexasOkieInSeattle t1_jdgceim wrote

Looks more safe than a campfire or any backyard home dug pit I've seen

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macegr t1_jdgkx01 wrote

Flippers gonna flip.

I know a guy who bought a house from flippers last year There was an undisclosed hot tub in the back yard in an at-grade concrete pad. They built a deck over it using untreated 2x4s, sloppily stained only on the top, and left the hot tub open underneath. When he finally found it, the hot tub was full of leaves and water and breeding mosquitos.

That fire pit looks like some random stuff arranged in the shape of a firepit for looks. There's moss in between those pavers!

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Dudeist-Priest t1_jdf4qa1 wrote

You’re good. I’ve seen a couple pop / crack with a big fire, but not anything to worry much about

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Pining4Michigan t1_jdha61s wrote

If you do plan on using this for a real fire, make sure you have plenty of water (either a hose or large bucket) nearby. My husband and I live in the burbs and have a large fire pit. We make sure it is completely out when we are done, nothing is more annoying than old smoke drifting through to bug your neighbors.

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woolash t1_jdf5w6m wrote

It looks like it has never been used. Break it in boss!

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HuskyTalesOfMischief t1_jdfen83 wrote

Possibly a round gas fire pit insert. Some consuners put stainless steel mesh(no galvanized steel) over the gas burner to reduce the amount of high temp decorative glass needed to fill a space. The decorative glass is expensive especially when getting into the colored/one sided reflective stuff. Looks way better than lava rock.

I'd expect significantly more charring to the inner structure if wood was used and rusting on insert being more uniform in appearance. That round outline plus the orange discoloration on the colored pavers is where many inexpensive steel constructed gas inserts fail. Rain water collects near the valve/orifice that feeds gas into the burner(s), making a low spot in the cover plate. Hard to see this is happening unless covering material is removed to inspect assembly. Usually the damage is found when the fire pit starts up differently.

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l397flake t1_jdfnuzw wrote

I think this is a very nice decorative piece. I wouldn’t use it. If you want to use it redo it and make sure to use fire brick inside.

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theonewhoexists OP t1_jdfq6nk wrote

Are you mainly concerned about the bricks or the location? It seems like most people care about the location

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l397flake t1_jdhu59z wrote

The location is also too close to the structure as well.

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culhanetyl t1_jdwi2xb wrote

although everyone is (rightfully so) complaining about the location ,this thing is doomed to fail because you used pavers pavers inherinetly store moisture, which when you apply heat makes steam and will crack apart the pavers. this can sometimes happen with somewhat explosive effects

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Ohboiawkward t1_jdg8r7j wrote

No, this is not safe to use. It's way too close to the fence. Check your local code to see the recommended distance from structures. It's usually at least 15'. A small fire can turn into a big fire quickly and you don't want it that close to a wooden structure.

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chookiekaki t1_jdg936o wrote

From the looks of what it’s lined with I reckon those pavers will self destruct with the first fire, may even shatter with force, I’d put a potted plant in it instead

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Additional-Ad-2782 t1_jdgrigy wrote

You can convert it to propane. There are rectangular (including square) fire pit inserts available, you just put fire (lava) rocks on top and you have your a small enough fire pit not to cause damage to nearby structures or overhangs. Just use common sense in any case about how large a fire you put in it. Technically, bricks, pavers, and rocks need to be specified for fire. I've used decorative rocks that weren't meant for a fire pit and they crack. They were even put in by professionals, they knew they might crack but weren't worried about the fire danger. Rocks and pavers can crack under heat but won't catch on fire.

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Platinumfingers t1_jdh7spu wrote

In my town code is 25 feet from permanent structure. I had one in the middle of my deck and upon second time using it my neighbor called the fire department on me and they made me take it down

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MrBoo843 t1_jdi4omw wrote

I'd ask my local firefighters, if they don't offer that kind of service, they will for sure be able to point you towards someone who can answer that for you.

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PointyWombat t1_jdib5ml wrote

If you want a firepit there, maybe remove all but the base blocks and put a propane fire table there.

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amped1one t1_jdii6d0 wrote

Do not use, concrete will explode

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Goddownvote t1_jdour8x wrote

Dont build a rager, and you will be fine. Use dry wood to keep smoking low, and your neighbors shouldn't have too much of a problem. If you are really concerned, you can just spray the wood fence and siding beforehand. I have been lighting shit on fire since I was a kid and never had to call the fire lords to banish my unwanted flames.

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bad2behere t1_jdfgay9 wrote

Maybe they intended it to be a home for their tortoise during the nice months, but I'm going with fire pit, too. I'd use it and see how it works, but only after checking my insurance to be sure it's covered if a spark sets something else on fire. In the southwest we use chimineas a lot so I think this fire pit is a super cool idea if floating embers aren't a problem where you live.

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ShoelessB t1_jdgab5g wrote

Level this one out and put a portable propane fire pit there. Outland Firebowl on Amazon has been awesome for me. You have a fire hazard there if you burn wood in that

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