Is a Fire Pit Under a Pergola Safe? What to Know Before You Start Roasting Marshmallows
Make sure your backyard haven is up to snuff
Highlights
A fire pit under a pergola can be safe with the right precautions.
Local laws may restrict or prohibit fire pits under outdoor structures.
Build your pergola at least 10 feet tall if you want a fire pit underneath.
Consider non-combustible pergola and foundation materials to minimize fire risk.
A screen, snuffer, and fire extinguisher can help prevent an uncontrollable fire.
It’s a cool, breezy evening, and you’re dreaming of gathering around a fire with loved ones to enjoy the sunset, watch some gentle rainfall, or roast some hot dogs and marshmallows. The pergola seems like a perfect spot: You can enjoy the view from a covered space with all the warmth and utility of a fire at your fingertips. But is a fire pit under a pergola safe? It depends—and you should be diligent in taking the proper safety precautions to avoid an uncontrolled fire. Here’s what to know about keeping a fire pit under your pergola.
Pergolas, Fire Pits, and What to Consider
One common concern about fire pits is ventilation, and fortunately, pergolas have open sides that make it safer to have a fire pit underneath. But you need to consider more than just ventilation if you want the fire pit under your pergola to be safe. From building the pergola up to a safe height to using fire-resistant materials to making sure your fire is always supervised, there are many steps to take to enjoy a fire pit under a pergola safely.
Safety Precautions to Make a Fire Pit Under a Pergola Safe
Fire pits can be a great addition to an outdoor living space, but you’ll want to make sure you build a pergola with some extra safety precautions if you plan to install a fire pit below. From following local fire safety requirements for fire pits to constructing a tall pergola that’s kept away from other structures, here are some best practices for keeping the fire pit under your pergola safe for the whole family.
Follow the Law
Before you start designing a pergola or shopping for fire pit materials, make sure to check local laws regarding fire pits. Many municipalities require fire pits to be installed in specific ways, such as keeping them 20 or more feet from other structures or requiring pergolas or other covered, open structures to be a certain height over the fire pit.
Once you’re familiar with the laws in your area, you can move on to designing and building the outdoor space of your dreams—pergola and fire pit included. Having a pro do all this hard work for you will be the best bet, as they’re likely already well-versed in fire pit regulations in your area.
Of course, if your city prohibits installing a fire pit under a pergola, do not move forward with this project. There are still plenty of other pergola ideas you can try out to make the most of your backyard, like installing boho-inspired light fixtures or luxurious curtains for a cozier feel.
Choose the Right Materials
Minimize the risk of an uncontrolled flame by building the pergola with ignition-resistant or non-combustible materials if you’re dreaming of placing a fire pit underneath. Aluminum and vinyl are popular non-flammable choices, and some types of wood for pergolas are also less resistant to fire, such as ipe. If you plan to build a wood pergola, look for options with Class A fire ratings or woods with fire retardant treatments.
Another material to consider is the pergola cover. Some pergolas, like smart pergolas, have fabric covers or movable louvers that open or close to sunlight. Make sure any covers or louvers are also made with fire-resistant materials in case any embers float to the top of the pergola when the fire pit is in use.
Buy a Smokeless Fire Pit
If you’re concerned about smoke and soot, you can install a gas or propane fire pit instead of a wood fire pit. While all fire pits can pose a fire risk, gas and propane fire pits won’t leave behind polluting smoke or soot that can damage your pergola.
Build to the Correct Height
It makes sense that a taller pergola will be farther from the flames of the fire pit, but it’s not just the flames you need to mind when determining pergola height. Fire pits also give off heat, soot, smoke, and even hot embers that can damage the pergola over time, so plan for your pergola to be at least 10 feet tall.
Again, make sure to follow city codes when determining the best height for your pergola. A great way to make sure your pergola is safe for a fire pit is to hire a local pergola contractor. Let the contractor know about your plans to install a fire pit, and they can ensure the pergola is safe and legal.
Place a Fire Pit on Hardscaping
To keep your fire pit under the pergola safe, plan for the pergola and fire pit to sit on hardscaping rather than a more flammable surface, like wood decks. Hardscaping can better take the heat from the fire pit. You can also add a fire pit mat on the hardscaping to protect it from long-term damage.
If you’re building the fire pit and pergola in an open, grassy space, consider laying compacted sand or gravel where the fire pit will sit. This protects the ground from the heat of the fire pit and gives the fire pit a more level foundation.
Clear the Area
Your backyard may be an oasis of trees and plants or a playground full of toys for the kids, but make sure the fire pit is in a space clear of any vegetation, toys, or other objects that could catch fire if the flames or embers escape the pit. Adding curtains to a pergola may be beautiful, but it’s not the best option if you also plan to keep a fire pit in the pergola area. Keep the fire pit away from hanging plants, trees with leaves and twigs that may fall through the year, or other flammable plants and items.
Safety Tips When Using a Fire Pit Under a Pergola
Once you or a contractor has installed the pergola and fire pit, it’s time to gather around the fire for dinner, drinks, and laughs with loved ones. But when you use the fire pit, make sure to follow these safety tips:
Keep Close Supervision
If you have kids or pets, don’t leave them unattended when the fire pit is ignited. Make sure at least one adult is around to supervise the flames. It just takes one unruly flame or hot ember to spark an uncontrolled fire, but with an adult present, someone can take action to snuff out or extinguish the fire if needed. Not only that, but many municipalities also require someone to supervise outdoor fires by law.
Add a Fire Pit Screen
A fire pit screen sits over the top of the fire pit and helps minimize any escaping embers. If you have a fire pit under a pergola, keep it safe by buying a fire pit screen if your fire pit doesn’t already have one.
Have a Fire Pit Snuffer on Hand
For extra peace of mind, store a fire pit snuffer nearby to help extinguish a fire quickly and thoroughly, if needed. A snuffer is made from heat-resistant steel that can withstand damage from the flames, and it doubles as a cover to keep your fire pit free of debris or pests. Snuffers will quickly put out a flame, and you can leave the snuffer on the fire pit to prevent any embers from reigniting the fire pit. Make sure to choose a fire pit snuffer that’s the correct size for your fire pit opening; it should fully cover the opening to prevent reignition.
Install a Fire Extinguisher
Your city may require a fire extinguisher nearby if you have a fire pit in your yard, but even if there aren’t any legal requirements, it’s wise to keep one handy. Regardless of how many safety precautions you take, there will always be some level of risk when you have an open flame. With an extinguisher nearby, you can quickly and safely put out a fire if one sparks.
Frequently Asked Questions
While your municipality may have its own regulations requiring pergolas or other structures to be a certain height above a fire pit, the standard recommendation is that the pergola should be at least 10 feet above the fire pit. A taller pergola allows the heat from the flames to dissipate before reaching the structure.
A fire pit should typically be about 20 to 25 feet away from your house and any other structures, objects, or plants. Your city may have specific requirements for how far a fire pit must be from other objects and buildings, so be sure to check with your municipality for the distance required in your area.
If you plan to put a fire pit on a grassy area, be sure to put compacted paver sand down first to help level out the ground and add better heat protection. If you’re placing a fire pit on hardscaping, like a concrete patio, consider placing a fire pit mat down first. This can add more protection from the heat and also protect the look of your hardscaping if you choose to remove the fire pit in the future.