Residential considerations when specifying a fire pit

Have you ever considered adding a fire pit to your balcony or backyard but felt overwhelmed by the different options available or unsure where to start? No worries—we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you find the perfect fire pit for your home.

LOCATION
Location always plays a significant role in the selection of a fire pit.  Many residential situations will call for natural gas as its running costs are quite a bit less than propane or bio fuel. However, installing hard-piped gas lines can be complex. Running a line under a deck is generally straightforward, but navigating stone pavers or a solid concrete deck can be challenging. Additionally, extending a gas line to the back of a long garden can be costly if you need to run it 50 or 60 meters.

PROPANE
With propane tanks, one has to figure out what to do with the tank. Can it be housed in a container or tucked around behind a bench or a bush?  Generally speaking, you can’t run a hose longer than 5 meters or 15 feet.  Can it run on top of the deck?  Yes, although not the most attractive, sometimes it’s the only solution.  

BIOFUEL
Biofuel offers the advantage of not needing lines, hoses, or tank changes. You do have to fill it up with liquid ethanol and generally you “burn” through the liquid each time you have the fire pit on. On the bright side, it burns much cleaner than propane and does not off-gas.  Therefore, it might be more suitable in situations where you don’t have a great deal of open air venting.  Open air venting is definitely required for natural gas and propane.  

LIGHTING

When it comes to lighting the fire pit, match-lit burners are ideal as they simplify the process. For gas and propane, you typically use a skeleton key, while biofuel requires a lighting wand. Without these tools, children cannot light the fire pit. Electronic versions with either a remote or a wall switch can be “flicked” on by children.   

FAMILY CONSIDERATIONS
Considering how your family will interact with the fire pit is a key consideration.  Do they intend to sit around it just for the effect, the conversation or the ambience?  Or do they intend to have dinner or drinks around it?  Does the fire pit need to function as a table when the fire pit is not in use?  When it is not in use does it look aesthetically pleasing or an eyesore when off?

TO GLASS SHIELD OR NOT TO GLASS SHIELD
As a general rule of thumb, we don’t recommend glass shields for residential situations as they can be more of an attractant to kids than having no glass.  In commercial situations, the regulations often require it, but it can be overkill in a residential situation in our opinion.  Glass can definitely retain heat and cut down the effectiveness of heat transmission.  Think of it like a traditional campfire – having an artificial barrier in between the family and the fire is somewhat off-putting. Glass barriers can also add to the cost of the unit.  

PERMITS
In terms of permits and regulations, residential situations are a little more relaxed, albeit this is changing over time from an insurance point of view.  It is always recommended that the fire pit have a certification standard be it CSA in Canada, ANSI in the US or CE in Europe.  The standard is only the start – from there look closely at the actual components themselves including the vessel or container.  Many products on the market will last for just a season or two and then you will be throwing them out – due to rust or broken starters or components.  Pretty much like anything else you can buy on the market – “you get what you pay for”.

Any questions? Don’t be afraid to call Solus Fire and Water 1877 255 3146 or visit www.solusdecor.com, solusdecor.co.uk, or thegasfirepits.com (EU site)