Safety Precautions
Please, keep the flare up in the fire pit to a minimum. If possible, remove portions of the frame which can be pushed in to ensure the screen never comes in contact with the fire.The frame of the fire pit is designed to withstand the heat but the screen is not.
The other precaution to take is to make sure you have no flammable vapors or liquid vapors in the patio area.Gasoline, paint fumes, gasoline based pest control vapors, paint vapors, cleaners, lye, etc. create a very volatile situation. This can be deadly, especially for the children playing in the same area.
Low levels of propane gas do not usually pose a threat, but again, caution is the key.
Design Factors
It is definitely possible to build your own fire pit, but please consider your needs and your space before you begin. Here are some design factors to consider:
Consider the temperature where you live. If you live where winters are cold and snowy, consider building a fire pit that is raised off the ground to help keep you and your guests warm and dry.
Consider where you live. If you live in an area where fire pits are prohibited, check local laws and ordinances before starting your DIY project.
Consider where you live. If you live in an area where fire pits are prohibited, check local laws and ordinances before starting your DIY project.
Location
Location, Location.
Natural gas fire pits are very popular nowadays. As a result, you have the option to select from a number of different designs and brands. You may also have the option to have your fire pit installed, or you may have to do it yourself. If you’re going to do it yourself, first think about where your fire pit will be placed.
Fire pits are used most commonly in backyards, but you may also have the option to use it in other spaces as well, like your pool and patio. If you’re going to use it outdoors, or even indoors, you’ll want to use the proper safety precautions and keep your fire pit away from walls, brush, trees, and other flammable objects.
Make sure you have an easy exit route, and teach your family how to safely manage a fire and how to avoid serious burns and fires.
Other Features
Other features to consider while purchasing a natural gas fire pit is the ease of maintenance. Some fire pits come with a spark screen so that it is easier to remove the screen to clean the natural gas fire pit without risking getting burnt. Some also come with a cover to protect the fire pit is it is not going to be used for a while.
Make sure that everything is assembled correctly as you do not want to burn your hands or face while operating your natural gas fire pit.
If you are looking to purchase a natural gas fire pit then make sure the pipe work does not have any leaks and it is made of high quality material. The natural gas fire pit should be sturdy and able to withstand high temperatures.
It should also have a backup shutdown system in case there is a gas leak and a safety lid. The safety lid should be able to withstand high temperatures.
Operations Assembly
The design and operation of a simple natural gas fire pit can be broken into four distinct categories: the ignition/igniter, the gas supply, the controls, and the logs.
The ignition system—the flame source—of the gas fire pit is either a spark igniter or an electric coil. After firing the ignition system, an adjustable lever-controlled gas valve slowly feeds the gas burner logs, providing equilibrium flame temperature to the fire pit.
The controls assembly of a natural gas fire pit typically includes the valve controls with adjustment safety locks, the ignition/igniter, and the temperature gauges.
The natural gas used for this type of fire pit is piped directly from a nearby service line, pipeline, or central gas storage tank to the fire pit location. The gas line will require a connection to a natural gas furnace or natural gas water heater in the home for a continuous flow of gas to the fire pit.
Assembling The Gas Fire Pit Insert
Inserts are typically attached to the base with screws made specifically for use in concrete. The holes are pre-drilled by the company that produces the insert. Inserts typically have holes in them that will sit in the recessed areas in the concrete base.
Before you begin attaching the insert to the base, lay it on its side. This will allow you to lay the screen against the inside and then the grate against the outside.
The screws should be placed in the holes at the top of the insert. Each of these holes should then be covered with the provided stainless steel washers. Once the insert is attached to the base, the washers should be against the back of the insert, keeping them hidden.
Now it is time to attach the stainless steel nuts to the bottom of the cover plate. Since the bottom of the cover plate is curved, you won’t be able to place the nuts against flat areas on the cover. Instead, you should place them at the tops of the lugs that are on the plate.
Once the nuts are in place, replace the hardware and the canopy.
Exterior Support Construction
When you build a natural gas fire pit, you use cement blocks for the support. They are installed around the fire pit and support the construction that goes on above the pit. You construct an arched support that is at least two blocks wide and around 14 inches deep. This is what you build on and it holds the interior construction up off the ground.
To create a support base, you need two layers of cement blocks. Use a level to make sure that the blocks are flush and that the front of the blocks is even with the rear of the blocks.
For the bottom layer, you will need 10 cement blocks total. This includes the four corners and the blocks at the diagonal. You also build a support under the fire pit hook. This means that six cement blocks need to be built on that layer. You use four blocks on the outside corners and build two blocks to go from the front to back. The front to back blocks support the pipe at the corner and the hook.
For the final layer, use the remaining four blocks to create two more layers of blocks. One layer is for the other two diagonal supports and the other layer is for the front to back support.
The layer below that one is for the actual natural gas fire pit. It can be as wide and deep as you want. Keep in mind that the longer it is in either direction, the more stable it needs to be.
Can A Natural Gas Pit Be Converted To A Propane One?
The actual burners and fire pits are interchangable, so in an effort to make your pit gas able, you really all you need to do is consider the following:
{1}. The FUEL line will need to be re-routed because a propane tank will not always be in the same location as your natural gas line. If the fuel line is not routed differently, the nitrogen from the propane in the tank will be used to push gas through the gas side of the tank.
{2}. The fire pit will need a knob for propane instead of a pilot light. Pilot lights are what they use in electric fireplaces. This step is a simple replacement of the pilot light knob to one that is propane.
Final Advice
As you may now have realized, gas fire pits are a beautiful addition to your landscaping, and they are simple to assemble.
No wonder they’ve found such a stronghold in the market.
But don’t forget, with great power comes great responsibility, so be sure to follow all safety precautions! Always keep the gas used for these fire pits out of reach of children, and keep the ignition switch turned off when other people are present.
Above all, always follow manufacturer’s instructions for assembly and use. Then share your enjoyment with all your friends.