Home improvements are on the minds of many homeowners in today’s modern society. A house has evolved over the years to be so much more than a dwelling. It is a location where families create and share memories that last a lifetime, so adding those additional comforts can greatly improve the quality of life for household occupants. One of those comforts is a propane fire pit. Unlike a natural gas fire pit, propane fire pits are portable and depend on a refillable fuel to power it. They greatly reduce the noxious fumes and emissions that charcoal grills emit while allowing a controllable level of fuel to be delivered to the surface. There are many reasons why a homeowner could opt for propane, which could include reasons such as heat or fuel for cooking, but all fire pits depend on a safe design.
1. Positioning
It is important to note that propane can cause asphyxiation through the displacement of oxygen in the air supply. Suffocation can quickly overwhelm users of propane if the gas is powered within an enclosed area, so the positioning of a propane fire pit must be outdoors. There are different schools of thought regarding just how far outdoors a fire pit should be placed, but most agree that the fire pit should be placed at least half of the distance away from main exterior doors and windows. This means if a backyard is fifty feet in depth, then the fire pit should be positioned at least twenty five feet into that depth for safety reasons.
It is also important to position a fire pit away from combustible elements or plant life. The gas can easily react with organic matter, so nearby plants and trees can ignite if exposed to high levels of propane over time. This can quickly spiral out of control as heat reacting with a pressurized tank can cause catastrophic explosions that easily ruin creature comforts and an outdoor space within moments. The wild fires that accompany a propane explosion can also engulf grass and could even easily spread into neighboring properties, which could obviously cause severe issues in terms of property damage disputes and might even end in a lawsuit.
2. Design
Many portable fire pits are based on a square design. On the top, or the “mantel”, users are able to control the level of flames and heat that emit from the center of the square and this is usually in the form of adjustable knobs. Below the mantel is a well-ventilated bracket housing that holds the propane tanks and propane accessories. Many homeowners feel it is appropriate to bury the unsightly underparts of a square propane fire pit, but doing this could lead to problems. A buried fire pit is not one where homeowners will be able to easily access their tanks in order to refill or replace them. It is also possible that underground propane tanks could suffer some damage due to natural atmospheric conditions being more moist and cooler underground. These conditions could cause the rusting of the compressed gas cylinder, which could cause adverse reactions when attempting to operate the propane knobs. Keeping a fire pit above ground is the most ideal situation for many designs of square fire pits.
3. Installation
While the installation of a fire pit is within the reach of many homeowners, a lot feel wary due to the operation of gas as its primary source of energy. It is possible to hire the services of a certified gas contractor to install a propane fire pit and this is even recommended for first-time users, but a lot of fears can be alleviated by adhering to a few basic gas principles.
Propane tanks are specifically design to work in a full on or full off position. This means that adjustment valves should never be merely twisted to allow gas flow through. The operator should always completely open and completely close the valves when using propane gas. The main cylinder should also be in a position where its connectors are either completely horizontal or completely vertical with the fire pit. Sharp bends and cause cracking over time, which can lead to a combustible explosion. Leaking tanks should also be avoided and can be detected by visually inspecting the tank; especially around the valves that are handled most frequently by propane operators.
Most importantly, the propane operator should install the main cylinder by using a hardnose valve that requires an 8″ adjustable wrench to secure the connection tightly into place. Softnose valves also exist for use with a propane fire pit, but must always be inspected to determine the valve’s o-ring condition. This is usually not possible in nighttime conditions, so is best avoided for use with a fire pit.
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