Hardscaping Siting a Fire Pit
Clearance from structures and planting. Most local fire codes and common sense require a minimum of 10 to 15 feet from any structure - house, garage, shed, or fence. Overhanging trees should be at least 20 feet above the fire. We review site conditions and applicable bylaw requirements during the planning conversation.
Wind direction. The prevailing wind on Martha's Vineyard runs southwest in summer. A fire pit positioned so that the primary seating faces into the southwest wind puts smoke toward the people sitting closest to it on most evenings. Orienting the open face of the surround - or the primary seating - to the northeast addresses this.
Surface conditions. Fire pits should not be positioned on a combustible deck surface without a non-combustible pad below. They should not sit directly on mulch or wood chip surfaces. The surrounding surface - stone, gravel, or concrete paver - provides a safe, non-combustible zone around the structure.
Drainage. Water accumulating in a fire pit damages the firebox and creates a safety issue. The base of a built-in fire pit needs either an open-bottom drain that allows water to percolate through the base material, or a drain connection to a dry well. This is part of the base construction, invisible in the finished product.
