The birds are chirping, the grass is green, the air is warm, and my deck is ready for spring. Where I live, we also keep our outdoor furniture on the deck in the summer and fall seasons as well. Although it is highly recommended not to put a fire pit in Michigan on a wood deck, I do it anyway. We also have our charcoal Weber grill on the deck.
However, I do take very serious safety precautions when having a fire or grilling on my deck, such as but not limited to:
- A large 60 x 42 inches under the grill/firepit fireproof mat protector for deck and patio that is oil-proof and waterproof
- Steel fire pit spark screen lid
- Fireplace ash bucket and shovel
- 32-inch anti-rust solid fire poker and a 25-inch foldable fire tongs
- Hose turned on, nozzle brought up to deck, and ready to use in case of an emergency
- Pit and grill are positioned on the furthest corners of the deck, away from the house
- Placed in an open-air position with no tree limbs or power lines above
- Wood is cut into small logs
- Only two to three logs in the pit at any given time
- Never walk away or leave the fire unattended
When my ex-husband and I first bought my home, I was in my twenties, and our home became the party place. We live across the street from a large inland lake, have a humongous deck, and at that time, we also had a pool.
One of those party nights, we had a fire going on the deck, in a large fire pit, and decided to walk up to the local dive bar. A few hours later, upon returning, we noticed a log had fallen out of the fire pit and was starting our deck on fire.
Thankfully, we were able to put it out with our hose. The deck didn’t burn down or catch our house on fire, but the fire did burn two, four-inch holes in our deck. We kept the holes there as a stark reminder of what can happen if you build too big a fire and leave it unattended.
*Note: All content within this article is meant for informational purposes only and is in no way a replacement for professional advice or support. Seek immediate and appropriate care from professionals when necessary.
Small fire pit on deck ideas
Since then, we downsized our firepits and have gone with the smaller bowl-type firepit. Recently, I bought a newer version that serves as a 3-in-1. It is a 36-inch firepit with two BBQ grill swivel-grates, a lid, a fire poker, and a round metal table topper.
Along with the list of safety precautions mentioned above, according to home experts at HGTV, they recommend the following if you want to use a firepit on a wood deck, “To use a fire pit on a deck, start by placing it at least 10 feet away from anything flammable, including furniture, cushions, roof overhangs and deck rails. Next, create a fire pit safety base, an area for the fire pit to sit on that’s not flammable.
The ideal deck-safe fire pit should have an ash catch tray. Fire bowls or fire pits supported by sturdy legs fit this bill, as do most fire pits with ash drawers. In general, the best deck-safe fire pit is a pedestal style, with legs that keep the hot basin off the deck.
For wood-burning fire pits, choose a model with a spark screen, or invest in a spark screen. Keep the screen closed to prevent embers and sparks from blowing out of the fire.
Add a layer of sand to the bottom of your fire pit before lighting a fire. That sand adds another insulating layer between your fire pit and the deck. It will also help prolong the quality and effectiveness of your fire pit pad,”.
When should you not have a fire
One should not have a fire when it is windy, when there are extremely dry conditions, or near flammable materials or liquids. For that matter, do not use a charcoal grill either under those conditions.
Keep lighters, matches, and lighter fluid away from the fire at all times. In fact, don’t be a rookie and use lighter fluid at all when making a fire. Leave the fluid for grilling. Let’s see what else the experts have to say.
The U.S. Fire Administration notes these important fire prevention safety precautions: “Unintentional actions are the leading cause of outside fires. Community residents need to keep fire safety in mind when enjoying summer vacations, camping, family reunions, grilling and the Fourth of July.
Closely watch children when the fire pit is in use.
Turn off or put out fires before you leave the backyard.
Store matches and lighters out of children’s sight and reach,”.
Another thing to consider is the type of decking material you’re working with. While traditional wood decks pose an obvious fire risk, composite decking can also be sensitive to heat and may warp or discolor if exposed to prolonged high temperatures.
It’s worth checking the manufacturer’s recommendations before placing any heat source on your deck. Some homeowners also install a dedicated outdoor fire pit area adjacent to their deck using gravel, pavers, or concrete pads. This allows you to enjoy the ambiance of a fire without the associated risks of having it directly on the wooden surface.
But if you are like me and already had the deck built when you bought the house, make sure to use extreme caution.
The National Weather Service adds this about fire safety, “Learn before you burn! It doesn’t take long once the snow begins to melt for fire danger to rapidly increase even after a cool and wet winter. The persistent spring wind only serves to further dry vegetation and literally provides more fuel for the fire. A wind-whipped fire in quick-burning dormant vegetation can cause a burn to easily become uncontrollable.
It is common for calm morning wind to give way to gusty wind around the midday hours during the spring months. A weather forecast of how and when the wind speed and direction may change during the day can mean the difference between a successful burn and having an animated discussion with your local fire warden.
Federal and state land management agencies routinely obtain weather forecasts from the National Weather Service. So should you! In fact, landowners, conservation districts — even local fire officials — should get the most up-to-date forecast possible before lighting a controlled burn,”.
Can you put a fire pit on a wood deck
In conclusion, as long as you check with your local fire department and other authorities, with the right precautions and setup, you can enjoy a cozy fire on a wood deck without risking damage or your peace of mind.
