User:Andy.W.Ellis/Fire Pit

About
Fire Pits have been in existence for a very long time and despite many technological advancemants since the advent of man's use of fire, they have remained a popular item because of their versatility. A fire pit can physically vary from a pit dug into the ground to an elaborate gas burning compilation of stone, brick, and metal. The common thread of fire pits though is that they are designed to contain the burning elements within its structure

Safety
Though a defining characteristic of Fire Pits is that they are designed to contain the components of the fire at all times, it is always most prudent to take safety measures in the event that very hot materials do escape from its confines. A fire pit should be placed or built 5' away from any flammable objects horizontally and approximately 10-12' vertically, but whenever choosing the location of a fire pit it is important to consult the instructional manual for its specifications. Also, whenever using a fire pit, one should make sure to rake the surrounding area to remove dead leaves or other debris that could potentially catch on fire from stray sparks. Another common sense safety measure that is worth articulating is that fire pits get very hot because they contain fire and both standing too near the flame or touching the surface of the pit can result in burns. Also, one should not place a fire pit indoors or in any other enclosed area as that could lead to carbon monoxide because fire consumes O2 and releases gases that are not breathable.

A safety measure that one can employ is placing a screen over the fire pit which not only contains sparks underneath it, but also reduces the wind's impact on potentially enlarging the fire. Also, good yard keeping and monitoring the area surrounding the fire pit and removing any low lying branches from above it or debris around it is prudent.

Fire Pits have the potential to be dangerous, however the steps needed to be taken to ensure their safety are minimal though important and many homeowners find great satisfaction in them.

Types
There are innumerable methods of constructing fire pits that take into account a slew of variables but several popular options are described here:

Pre-made fire pits: The most common form of fire pits that can be seen are ones such as could be found in a Lowe's or Home Depot type of store that simply need to be loaded and taken to a residence. This is the most simple option and rarely if ever are they constructed of much more than metal and because of their predominantly metal construction are relatively light (most are below 250 lbs). Metal Fire Pits, though lighter, are typically not as durable as concrete or stone, however they are somewhat portable and can be moved more easily. A premium feature offered with many prefabricated fire pit products is using natural gas or propane as fuel rather than the more traditional wood.

Assembled Fire Pits (Professionally or Do-It-Yourself (DIY))

Assembled Fire Pits are a separate class from the pre-made variety and because they are built according to an individual's wishes, these encompass a wider variety of styles and functions. Both stone and concrete fire pits are very heavy and are essentially locked in to wherever they are placed. This eliminates the risk that they could be knocked over and gives the aesthetic appearance of a nice outdoor living fixture, though it does not offer the portable capabilities of a metal entity. Both types also have the potential to be gas or wood burning and both types are popular. Oftentimes these fire pits are built in conjunction with an outdoor living area, though it is not uncommon for them to be the sole outdoor living investment as a place to gather around. Both concrete and stone fire pits can typically be installed by local hardscapers and cost will vary by company.

-Concrete Fire Pits- Concrete fire pits are more popular than all natural stone ones for a number of reasons. Two of the reasons are that it is easier for most people (though still difficult) to work with concrete than it is for them to shape stones, and there is a wider variety of veneer options in most locales allowing homeowners to more closely align the coloring with their decorative taste. A good place to look for examples of how DIY projects can be completed are various online forums or the DIY network website.

-Stone Fire Pits- Stone fire pits are typically slightly more expensive than concrete to have them installed, they require slightly more labor and have a higher materials cost than most veneers (though some natural veneers narrow that gap). The advantages to stone fire pits is that even though veneers can look very close to natural, all natural stone will look more natural. Also, it is not layered with a veneer attached to an inner surface and it is harder to damage as a result.

-Fire Pit DIY Kits- Several companies have recently developed all natural stone fire pit kits that sell pre-cut but non-fabricated natural stone that make for a several hour assembly. These Kits are significantly less expensive than having a professional install something and provide the benefits of natural stone while reducing the price far below either professional option (though still more expensive than most metal products). Another variable is the DIY factor which for some would be a negative of spending several hours of labor to put it together, whereas others would enjoy being able to build something themselves (granted, something that is relatively simple). Two companies with developed fire pit kits are Semco Distributing Co. and The Frazier Quarry. The Semco product is distributed into home and garden stores nationally and the TFQ product is available online with flat rate shipping, but both products weigh close to 1,000 lbs (though the heaviest blocks are 35 lbs and 25 lbs respectively). Also, both of the DIY kits are wood burning and consumers do not have the option of gas fuel.

There are a plethora of fire pit styles that fit most budgets and tastes, ranging from $50 to several thousand, and they function to serve as a source of outdoor warmth, a congenial environment to enjoy friends' company, a cooking source, or even as a decorative accessory.

Archaeological Significance
Fire Pits (or rather their remains) preserve a great deal of information about past cultures. Carbon dating from charcoal found in old fire pits can estimate when region's were first populated or when civilizations died out. Also, bones and seeds found in fire pits indicate the type of diet that civilizations ingested during the relevant time period.

In archaeological terms fire pits are referred to as [features] because they can be seen and recorded as part of the site but cannot be moved without being destroyed.