SJRFD: Outdoor Wood Burning Appliance Safety

Whether you already have an outdoor wood burning appliance or you are planning to add one, invest some effort in reviewing outdoor wood burning appliance safety.  It only takes a second for a cozy fire to burst into a blazing inferno.

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department wishes to remind all residents of the following safety regulations that will help ensure you get the most enjoyment from your outdoor wood burning appliance by keeping family and friends safe.

An outdoor wood burning appliance is an appliance that is:

• Enclosed on all sides and constructed of masonry, concrete, heavy gauge metal or other noncombustible materials;
  • Is at least 15 cm in height above the surrounding grade, but no more than 60 cm in depth when measured from the top of the appliance opening to the bottom of the appliance;
  • Has an opening that does not exceed 75 cm in diameter or an area of 0.46 m2 and in which neither the width nor length is greater than 75 cm; and
  • Has a spark arrestor, grille, or mesh with opening no larger than 12 mm and which is used to cover the entire area of the fire pit opening.

Outdoor wood burning appliances shall not be operated where wind speeds are more than 20 km per hour.

Outdoor wood burning appliances shall be:

• Installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, if supplied;
• Located at least 4.5 meters from any building, structure or combustible material;
• Capable of completely containing/enclosing the fire;
• Placed on a firm and level surface which has a non-combustible base beneath it, and extends a minimum of 0.5 m completely outside the perimeter of the unit;
• Attended at all times by someone 18 years of age or older with access to a fire extinguisher, bucket of water or another water source while the fire is burning;
• Used to burn only seasoned wood; and
• Extinguished prior to non-attendance.

General Safety

• Never use gasoline, kerosene, starter fluids or any other substance that may create a rapid build-up of fire.
• Do not use any of these outdoor wood burning appliances in your home.
• These units are not intended as a primary heat source.
• Properly dispose of ashes once the fire is out.  Allow them to cool before disposing, otherwise, douse with plenty of water and place them in a metal container with a metal lid at least 10 feet from any structure or combustible material.

For more information contact:

Captain Cara Pardy

Fire Prevention Officer

St. John’s Regional Fire Department

(709) 576-3905

E-mail: fireprevention@stjohns.ca