A Homeowner's Guide to Fire Pit Safety and Maintenance

Nothing ruins the mood of a cozy evening around the backyard fire pit like setting your shoe on fire. 

Even the most perfectly gooey s’more can’t rescue the vibe once the smell of burning rubber fills the air.

A backyard fire pit is flickering fantastic fun and brings everybody together but it also involves fire, which is dangerous if you don’t take the right precautions. 

What are the rules for a backyard fire pit? In Sarasota, keep them 10 feet away from structures and combustible materials like leaves, wood, or chemicals and a minimum of 50 feet away from public roadways. And set common sense rules, like keeping chairs far enough away from the fire pit wall and always having water nearby to safely douse any flames that get out of hand.

Keep reading to learn more about fire pit maintenance and safety, 
including: 

Where to Place a Fire Pit? 

Safety Rules for a Backyard Fire Pit

Fire Pit Maintenance 

Now, What Else Do You Need? 

Do You Really Need a Fire Pit?

First, Where to Place a Fire Pit?

Where will you use it most? 

Install your fire pit right on your patio, a few convenient steps from your door, and it’s handy for a spontaneous sit-down whenever the mood strikes. 

Or situate it a stroll away from your house, if you want it to be a more secluded scene. Suddenly, it’s an adventure. 

Fire pits are also great additions to your pool area — the perfect cozy after-splash entertainment. 

But you’ll need to check with your municipality about specific fire pit regulations, including where to install them, as rules differ from city to city. 

The rules for Sarasota: 

• Fires must be contained in a non-combustible container.
• They must be a minimum of 10 feet away from structures and combustible materials like leaves, wood, or chemicals.
• Fire pits must be a minimum of 50 feet away from public roadways unless permitted by the fire chief. 

Safety Rules for a Backyard Fire Pit

Some rules are outlined by the municipality where you live. If you live in a HOA, be sure to check those rules, too. 

But some fire pit safety rules are just common sense:

• Keep your chairs a safe distance from the flames. You don’t want people tripping over outstretched feet. Seats should be 3-4 feet away from the wall of the fire pit.
• Make sure your surrounding patio is big enough to accommodate both the fire pit and safe movement around it. If your fire pit is 4-5 feet in diameter you need at least a 14-foot wide patio.
• Add a protective screen to your backyard fire pit to contain flying sparks and embers.
• Avoid lighting the fire pit during extremely windy weather, so embers don’t go flying.
• Have a bucket of water, a hose with a sprayer, or a fire extinguisher nearby before lighting the fire. Sand works, too, by smothering flames.
• Don’t try to impress everybody with a towering flame. The larger the fire, the bigger the danger it could get out of hand. Instead, impress them with your ability to toast the perfect golden marshmallow before it slides down the stick and plops into the flames. Now that’s a skill.
• Don't leave fires unattended, and don't leave children unattended near the fire.
• Keep your backyard fire pit cleaned out, so dry leaves and debris don’t accumulate. 

Which brings us to…

Fire Pit Maintenance 

Your maintenance tasks depend on which type of fire pit you have. 

Here in Sarasota, about half of homeowners choose a gas or propane-fueled fire pit and half opt for wood burning. 

Not all municipalities have natural gas, so sometimes the decision is made for you. If you have to bury a propane tank, that gets expensive. Some homeowners just love the smell of burning wood and the crackle of logs on the fire, a reminder of childhoods up North. 

A gas fire pit needs minimal upkeep. Wipe it down and make sure burners are clean and ignition systems are working correctly.

Many Florida homeowners opt for stainless steel gas fire pits to prevent rust from humidity and salt air.

A wood fire pit needs regular cleanup of ash and soot, which can be a pain in Florida’s rainy season. If left uncovered, wood pits collect water, leading to mold or rust. 

So after each use, let the fire pit cool down completely then remove all ashes and debris.

Regularly inspect your backyard fire pit for cracks, rust, or other signs of damage. 

 If you cook over your fire pit, keep the cooking surface clean. Residue from those roasted hot dogs or sizzling kabobs builds up over time.

Now, What Else Do You Need? 

Backyard fire pits are magical additions to your tropical backyard experience. Flickering flames are mesmerizing, cozy and make everybody want to linger for a while. 

It’s a good start. Now ponder what else you might need out there for the best fire-gazing vibe. 

Maybe built-in seating so there’s always a spot to plop down and relax. Tropical plants offer privacy and soften the edges of your new outdoor hangout. How about string lights for an automatic atmosphere boost?

Suddenly, it’s a party. 

Be sure to hire a full-service Sarasota landscaping company that can handle all these needs, not just a one and done fire pit installer. 

Do You Really Need a Fire Pit?

You might not think so. This is South Florida, and it can be a sweltering 103 degrees. 

But there are times when it’s a chilly 50 degrees. Then, backyard fire pits are really fun. And everybody suddenly wants one. 

But if you wait until fall to try to get one installed, landscaping companies are pretty booked up. Seems everybody else had the same idea. You might not get your fabulous flickering fire feature until February. 

Better plan: make it part of the design when you get your patio installed. Then it’ll already be there when those s'mores cravings strike.

Ready for the Fun of a Backyard Fire Pit? Talk to Us

Now that you know all the safety rules and fire pit maintenance tips, let’s get the party started. 

Where to place a fire pit? Have a chat with one of our designers about how you want to relax and entertain out there. 

We’ll help you figure it all out. Save us a s’more. Maybe three. 

Give us a call or fill out our form today! Our team of Sarasota designers can’t wait to design the perfect backyard fire pit for your outdoor haven. Get ready for cozy.