Calgary loves their backyard fires. Few things are as rewarding as gathering a good group of friends for a BBQ and an evening sitting around an outdoor fireplace in your backyard.
What you might not know is there are some fire regulations in Calgary regarding fire pits and outdoor fireplaces to keep things safe for everyone, including you, your guests, your neighbours, and your city.
One of the key things that we think about when designing a landscaped backyard is to think about where to place the fire pit (and often times frame the rest of the backyard around the fireplace, which acts as a focal point). Here’s some quick tips for making sure your backyard fire pit is placed in a safe spot, but also in a spot that is welcoming to you and your guests
Outdoor Fireplaces Must Be 2 Meters Away
Regulations for fire pit and outdoor fireplaces is pretty common sense, and easy to follow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to remember.
Make sure to place your outdoor fireplace 2 meters away from any big structures. This includes your house (makes sense, right?), your garage, your fence, and the property line.
Where’s Your Gas Line?
Depending on the style of fire pit / fireplace you are installing, you may need access to a gasline. This will require consulting a professional before further deciding on the location.
ALWAYS use professionals when dealing with gas lines, and make sure they are certified to do the work you need.
How Many People Are You Keeping Warm?
Always keep in mind how you plan to utilize your outdoor fireplace. Is it a cozy place to snuggle up to with your small family and only needs to keep four smiling faces warmed up? Or do you plan to host large backyard get togethers and need room for 10 plush chairs and a love seat?
When placing your fireplace, keep in mind how your lifestyle fits into the design, and put it in a spot that makes sense to how you plan to use it.
Covered area or open air?
Are you planning to have an area of the backyard enclose or covered? Naturally a fireplace lends to this style of landscaping very well, but it’s important to plan ahead the placement of not only the fireplace but also the entire structure.
Open air fireplaces won’t require as much planning, but consulting with the experts is going to ensure you find the perfect location for your dream backyard outdoor fireplace.
An outdoor fireplace is something many of us Calgarians enjoy, and designing and planning out your perfect backyard space can be exciting. Make sure to take the time to find the proper place for your fire pit before building it, to save you the hassle of having to redo it due to Calgary bylaws or because it doesn’t accomodate the way you want to utilize it.
Most importantly, once you have it built, be sure to enjoy it with the people that matter most to you.
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