Certified Gas Fire Pits – Why is it important?

Certified Gas Fire Pits – what are the Standards in manufacturing, and why should one care?

We are about to hold an audit at our plant in New Westminster, BC  which requires the certifying agency for CE and UKCA certification standards to visit our Canadian facility and review our records, our procedures and the way we conduct ourselves in the manufacturing of the gas burners for our firepits. We conduct separate audits for CSA/ANSI regularly in order to meet the standards for all of our certified gas fire pits, whether they are natural gas or liquid propane.  To be candid it is a very thorough and expensive process.   

So why do we bother?

It does make me reflect on what we do to produce the very best product and safest burner available in the marketplace.  To our knowledge we are the only fire pit manufacturer in the world who certifies to all four international standards. We spend a lot of time, energy and money to make sure we produce the safest product that is out there. At last count we have placed certified gas fire pits in over 40 countries around the world.  We are not big in the global marketplace for fire pits but we know how to punch above our weight.  Certification is a big part of this.  Aesthetics is the other!

We get annoyed at the cowboys out there who are skirting certification standards and dancing their way around what it means to be a certified product. They do this by implying their burners are certified when oftentimes they are not and it is buyer beware.  This “buyer beware” attitude is not just overseas manufacturers but North American ones as well. Our burners are bench-tested for all sorts of things including the measurement of output. (ie number of btu’s or kilowatts) so we know how much heat the certified gas fire pit produces. Specifically, 60k, 75k, 90k or 108k btus means just that – it is not a random guess. You will see lots of burners out there claiming to be 200k, 300k or even 400k btus with “certification” – but are they? 

In today’s market, consumers are increasingly aware of the safety and quality of the products they purchase. When they search for certified gas fire pits, they are truly interested in the safety and soundness of mind that purchasing a product with this standard of safety brings them. Manufacturers like Solus, which specialize in high-quality, certified gas fire pits, adhere to certification standards such as CSA, ANSI, UKCA, and CE and it is not just a regulatory requirement but a commitment to excellence and consumer safety.

Understanding the Standards for Certified Gas Fire Pits

Certification standards are guidelines established to ensure that products meet specific safety, performance, and environmental criteria. For fire pits, these standards are particularly crucial due to the inherent risks associated with open flames and fuel sources. Here’s a closer look at the key standards relevant to the certified gas fire pits that Solus Decor proudly manufactures:

• CSA (Canadian Standards Association): This certification ensures that products meet stringent safety requirements in Canada. For certified gas fire pits, CSA certification means that the product has been tested for safety in terms of combustion, structural integrity, and emissions.

• ANSI (American National Standards Institute): ANSI oversees the development of standards for various products in the U.S. For fire pits, ANSI certification signifies compliance with specific safety and performance standards, ensuring that products meet rigorous testing and manufacturing criteria to protect consumers.

• UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed): Following Brexit, the UKCA mark has become essential for products sold in Great Britain. It ensures compliance with UK regulations, focusing on safety and performance. For certified gas fire pits, the UKCA mark signifies that the product meets the safety and environmental standards set forth by UK legislation.

• CE (Conformité Européenne): The CE mark is mandatory for products sold within the European Economic Area. It indicates that the product complies with EU safety, health, and environmental protection standards. For fire pits, this certification is crucial for accessing European markets, as it reassures consumers of product safety.

Why Certification Matters

1. Consumer Safety: Fire pits are designed to create warmth and ambiance, but they can also pose safety risks if not constructed correctly. Certification ensures that products are tested and verified to minimize risks such as fires, gas leaks, and other hazards.
2. Quality Assurance: Certifications serve as a mark of quality. When consumers see CSA, ANSI, UKCA, or CE labels, they can trust that the product has undergone rigorous testing and meets high manufacturing standards. This boosts consumer confidence in Solus Decor’s offerings.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to these standards is essential for legal compliance in different regions. Non-compliance can lead to product recalls, fines, or legal issues, which can tarnish a brand’s reputation.
4. Market Access: For a manufacturer like Solus Decor, having these certifications opens doors to various markets. Many retailers and consumers prefer or require certified products, making it a critical factor for successful sales.
5. Environmental Responsibility: Many certification standards include environmental assessments, ensuring that products are not only safe but also environmentally friendly. This aligns with the growing consumer demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products.

Solus Decor’s Commitment to Quality

At Solus Decor, the emphasis on certification reflects a broader commitment to quality and consumer trust. Each fire pit undergoes thorough testing to ensure compliance with these standards, assuring customers that they are investing in safe, durable, and environmentally responsible products.  Generally speaking if we encounter a problem with burner ignition in the field it is the installation issue because they have already been burn-tested before they leave our shop.

By prioritizing certification, Solus Decor not only protects its consumers but also strengthens its brand integrity in a competitive market. As fire pit popularity continues to rise, the significance of owning a certified gas fire pit will only grow, reaffirming the importance of safety and quality in outdoor living solutions. From a client’s perspective – especially for contractors and commercial  locations the liability associated with an open flame is eliminated by the certification mark. 

Check for yourself that Solus manufactures fully certified fire pits – each product page on our website has the applicable certificate under “Specifications and Documents”. See here as an example of the certificates for Hemi 36 in North America. The UK and EU websites will show their own applicable certificates.

Conclusion

In summary, certification standards like CSA, ANSI, UKCA, and CE play a vital role in the fire pit manufacturing industry. As a typical Canadian company we are talking ourselves up.  To the best of our knowledge Solus Decor is the only fire pit company in the world to certify to all these standards. Certification will remain a cornerstone of trust and excellence in the industry.

Brad Carpenter CEO Solus Decor Global