Fascinating Fire - Build a Fire Pit
A fire pit is an easy project the whole family can enjoy
By:
Mike Berger
Online Rating:
  (5/10) With its captivating flickering, soothing pops and crackles and nostalgic smell, a wood-burning fire is hard to beat for creating the perfect outdoor setting. It can evoke visual drama, provide warmth on chilly evenings and even be used to cook a meal (or a least a few marshmallows). But enjoying a fire requires that you take responsibility for safety. You must ensure that the flames remain under control and don’t spread beyond designated boundaries. A dedicated fire pit addresses these concerns and creates a safe zone in which you and your family can relax. Building a fire pit is a simple weekend project that can yield years of outdoor enjoyment and can be tailored to just about any look you like. You can choose from a variety of materials; we used blocks of 8-in.-thick Chilton stone (recommended by our local stone supplier), which is sold by the ton in random lengths and in heights of roughly 6 to 8 in. It took
1-1/2 tons of the blocks to complete our fire pit. The availability of materials varies depending on region, and it’s a good idea to get recommendations from your supplier, as not all types of stone can be used for a firepit. For example, although fieldstone may look attractive, it has the potential to spawl when exposed to heat, sending sharp fragments flying. Pit Construction
The first step in construction is to strip off the grass and level the surface. There are several laborious methods for doing this (such as using a sod-kicker), but we opted to rent a Bobcat outfitted with a front-end loader (photo 1, p. 38). By barely skimming the surface with the bottom edge of the bucket, we were able to quickly strip off the sod to a depth that would allow the tops of the flagstones for the sitting area to lie at grade level. Once your work site is level, drive a stake at the center of the pit location and use landscaper’s paint to mark the pit’s perimeter. To better visualize the finished size, we marked both the outer and inner perimeters of the ring, based on the width of stone we were using (photo 2). To determine how deep to dig, measure the height of the stone you’ll be using to build the ring and add 6 in. to accommodate a base of either Class V or gravel. Pour in and compact the base material to the predetermined 6-in. depth (photo 3, above left). Check that the base is level; then place the first course of stone. If you must split a stone to achieve a good fit, work carefully and wear safety glasses. Use a cold chisel and a maul to first score the stone; then use a heavier sledgehammer to strike the final blow. Use mortar fortified with acrylic admix to adhere the second tier of stone to the base tier (photo 4). For best results, keep both the mortar and the stone surfaces damp — if they get too dry, the mortar is likely to fail. Although this style of fire ring is fairly rustic and doesn’t need to be perfectly level, you should still check that the second course is relatively true (photo 5). The Seating Area
After you backfill any voids around the ring with additional Class V material (photo 6, top left), you’re ready to lay the flagstones. Use a garden rake to loosen the soil and then start placing the flagstones in an appealing pattern. (If your soil has a high clay content, you may need to first spread a sand base to make leveling the flags easier.) When placing the flagstones, look for ones that have a curved edge for placement against the curve of the fire pit. Stand back from time to time to take a break and evaluate how the stones are fitting, and make any necessary adjustments. If any stone is uneven, add a little bit of soil underneath to level it out (photo 7). Once you’re satisfied with the placement of the flagstones, backfill around them with soil. Sweep any excess dirt from the flagstones (photo 8); then water down the area to clean off the stones and to help the backfill settle (photo 9). All that’s left is to sow grass seed in the spaces between the stones and provide sufficient water so that the seed germinates. After a few weeks, once the grass has filled in, you can break out the marshmallows and invite a few friends to enjoy the atmosphere that only a fire can provide. Codes and Fire Safety
When building a fire pit you must thoroughly understand local codes, which govern issues such as location, clearances from structures and trees and whether you can even legally operate a fire pit in your neighborhood. Codes vary greatly: For example, my friend in a rural town in Ohio can build a fire pit anywhere on his property as long as it is more than 6 ft. from any structure, but where I live in Minnesota, a fire pit has to be 25 ft. from any structure, and it may not be located in the front yard. Still other communities ban residential burning of any kind. The only way to be safe is to check with your local code authorities. Make sure that your project meets their requirements. For added safety, whenever you operate your fire pit, always have a supply of water nearby to douse the fire if necessary. Never leave hot embers unattended, as they may suddenly rekindle, and don’t let children play around the fire’s perimeter. — MB
 Step-by-Step Project: Friendly Fire
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