If you are looking to install a propane fire pit, you are about to enjoy the perfect backyard addition. But before gathering your family and friends around your firepit, remember the following safety tips.
Check Before Every Use
We all love to use a propane fire pit, especially in the evening when having family and guests over on the patio. But it’s always vital to do a safety check before firing it up.
Even though gas fire pits don’t generate ash or embers, you should still make sure it’s clean and tidy before every use. It helps to have a fire pit cover so leaves and twigs don’t fall in there.
A proper cover also can protect the fire pit from rain, snow, and frost. If it ever gets soiled, it’s easy to clean it with a soft wire or plastic brush.
Don’t Use Any Fuel Besides Propane
Your propane fire pit doesn’t need any type of fuel or accelerator to make a fire. Never add paper or gasoline to the fire, and use a screen over the fire to prevent sparks.
Have A Fire Extinguisher Outside
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes fire can get out of control and escape the fire pit. There should be a functioning fire extinguisher near the fire pit, and every adult should know where it is. You don’t want to have to run inside in an emergency and search for the fire extinguisher.
Also, make sure every adult at your gathering knows how to turn the gas off in an emergency. Further, remember you can deal with most out-of-control fires by pouring water or sand on the flames.
Avoid Clutter
There shouldn’t be anything around the fire pit that can catch fire. Anything that’s in the vicinity increases the chances of a mishap. Make sure the area several feet around the fire pit is clear before starting a fire.
Also, don’t put anything combustible near the fire pit, and never leave children around it unattended.
Don’t Leave The Fire Unattended
One of the greatest attributes of a gas fire pit is that it’s easy to ignite or extinguish it with the power switch. While it might seem fine to leave the fire unattended for a few minutes when you run inside or go out for groceries, safety dictates that you should turn it off before leaving.
Remember, it’s easy to fire it up again, so there’s no reason to take the risk.
What About Fire Pit Explosions?
You may have read online about the occasional fire pit exploding. It might happen occasionally, but there are always extenuating circumstances. If you buy a high-quality, ANSI-approved fire pit and have it properly installed, you should never have a serious problem.
A fire pit might explode if there are wet materials that expand and explode as the pit heats up. This tends to happen with homemade firepits. It also can happen if there are lava rocks in the fire pit that get wet and explode.
Lava rocks can explode when they get wet because water enters the rock and turns to steam – you get the idea. You can always avoid this issue by being sure any lava rocks in the fire pit are dry.
An outdoor propane fire pit is a fantastic way to enjoy years of fun and relaxing on the patio with your family and friends. Follow these simple guidelines and you’re sure to enjoy your firepit for a long time.
While many people have one in the home, it may have been sitting in the same corner untouched for years.
Here are some more fire safety tips relating to your fire extinguisher and its use: Fire Safety Tips Size can Make a Difference Depending on the size of your space, make sure you will have an adequate amount of extinguishing power to fight or minimize any small fires, before help arrives.
Smother/Contain the Flames It is wise to contain the fire in a waste basket or damp towel if possible.
Any way you can cut off the fire’s source of oxygen safely is good.
This can also help prevent the spread of the fire, and minimize any damage.
Call 911 One of the first things you should do, calling 911 will send the appropriate emergency response to your door.
CO2 fire extinguisher discharges CO2 gas, also known as carbon dioxide.
This is stored in the extinguisher as a liquid, and the gas is created under pressure when the handle of the extinguisher is squeezed.This causes the CO2 gas to emerge at great speed, which is why CO2 fire extinguishers are not recommended for chip pan fires – they could literally blast the flames into surrounding areas.Unlike water and foam extinguishers, CO2 fire extinguishers do not work by cooling the fire and so are ineffective on fires involving flammable solids.Instead, CO2 extinguisher work by replacing the oxygen surrounding the flames with carbon dioxide, meaning the fire can no longer burn.
Precaution: Fire extinguisher refilling and maintenance is necessary once in a year.
Along with that, this device also prevents water from flowing in the opposite direction.
The most important function performed by this device is to prevent contamination of the city water and drinking water supply.
But, as all the backflow preventer inspection and field test report are not the same and so, you would need to seek the necessary advice from a backflow technician.
They will provide you recommendations on the correct device for your home or business.
