Grilling on the Deck: Fire Safety

Being an outdoors person doesn’t require extensive camping equipment and long road trips to exotic, out-of-the-way places. It only requires that you enjoy being outside with nature or relaxing outdoors in places such as your deck. This connection between the deck and the outdoors experience explains why fire pits are so popular: what outdoor experience is complete without the communal campfire? Think about it, what comes to mind when you think of camping? Camp fires! The same goes for when you think about your deck experience. When you think of deck activities, fire pits should come to mind.There is nothing more enjoyable than standing on your deck looking out at your family sitting around a fire pit telling stories.

The fire pit comes into its own when the weather gets cold because both it’s light and warmth draws the people around it closer together to share stories and jokes. This experience is an ancient one that spans thousand of years.

As enjoyable as these experiences are, if you are using a portable fire pit on your deck there is a fire hazard if safety precautions aren’t taken. In fact, there is considerable debate about using a fire pit on a deck. Wood decks are flammable while composite decks are flame resistant but not fire-proof. However, grilling on the deck has a long tradition, and properly designed fire pits used safely shouldn’t present a hazard that is any different from the various deck grills in use today.

Portable Fire Pit Safety Suggestions

• Avoid using your fire pit in windy conditions. Wind borne sparks and embers are a danger to your home and can start fires in dry conditions.
• Make small fires. Large fires put out more heat as well as sparks, and are more difficult to control.
• Locate the fire pit away from limbs, overhangs, the wall of your house, and deck railings. All flammable items such as furniture should be cleared well out of the way.
• Clear away any items that can cause tripping or slipping.
• Don’t leave the fire unattended.
• Protect the decking under and near the fire pit with a fireproof pad.
• Don’t use a fire pit if your deck has a roof.
• Use dry, well-seasoned wood. The wood should be obtained a year before it’s burned. This minimizes the sparks and popping embers that are common when burning wet wood.
• Use a spark screen. Spark screens block popping embers but not light and warmth.
• Put out the fire when finished. This includes hot coals and embers.
• Use a propane fire pit. The flame of a propane fire pit is easy to control, easy to put out, and doesn’t spark or scatter embers like wood.

If you have any more questions on grilling on the deck, grilling safety or deck protection, or have any questions on deck restoration or cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.