EP HENRY FIRE PIT
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
E X C E L L E N C E S I N C E 1 9 0 3
| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
IMPORTANT:
BE SURE TO READ ALL SAFETY
GUIDELINES BEFORE INSTALLING
OR USING YOUR EP HENRY FIRE PIT.
COMPONENTS:
Please make sure all components are in place before you begin to assemble. Your EP Henry Fire Pit Kit should contain the following items:
High strength heat resistant concrete adhesives are recommended for gluing the fire pit block together and if desired, for attaching the cap units* to the top of the fire pit wall (see Fire Bowl Drainage and
Construction Options first). Make sure all units are dry and dust free before applying adhesives. All adhesive should be applied on the upward facing horizontal flat surface toward the outside of the units to prevent it from over-heating and emitting toxic fumes. It is recommended that any adhesive be allowed to cure for at least 48 hours before lighting a fire in the fire pit.
• One (1) copper fire pit bowl
• One (1) screened cover
• Two (2) grills – one (1) small for burning wood and one (1) large for cooking
• One (1) poker
• Four (4) semi-circular charcoal colored caps for the top of the fire pit wall
• One hundred twelve (112) tapered fire pit wall blocks on a separate pallet
*It is recommended that the four (4) semi-circular charcoal colored caps for the top of the fire pit wall not be glued to the fire pit wall as that would prevent easy removal of the fire bowl for dumping accumulated rain water, cleaning, or debris removal from the interior cavity of the fire pit. See
Fire Bowl Drainage and Construction Options for more details.
Contact your EP Henry Authorized Hardscaping
Distributor® immediately if any components are missing or damaged upon opening. Proof of purchase must be provided for any claim to be recognized.
GETTING STARTED:
When building the fire pit wall, arrange the first course of tapered fire pit wall block in a circle, making sure that all of the units are fitted tightly together. Orient all of the blocks so that the narrow vertical face of the block is on the inside of the circle.
Each course will require 16 blocks to complete. You can build the fire pit wall 7 courses high or to a lower height if so desired. The fire pit wall will have an inside diameter of 30-1/2” and an outside diameter of 48”. The wall cap has an inside diameter of 32” and an outside diameter of 50”. This fire pit is not designed nor intended to be expanded beyond these stated dimensions.
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MARKING OUT THE
CONSTRUCTION:
Establish the location where the fire pit is to be built.
Mark the center of that location. Then drive a stake into the ground or hold a pin at the center point of that location. If you are building your fire pit on a concrete slab or paver surface, tether a line 24” or slightly longer to that center point with a marking device tied at the opposite end and follow directions under step #1. If you are building your fire pit in an open area on the ground, your excavation and compacted stone base needs to exceed the exterior circumference of the fire pit by 6”on all sides so you will need a line that is 30” or longer and follow directions under step #2. Carefully swing the marking device around the center point keeping it vertically aligned and mark out the circular exterior dimension of the fire pit construction. If you are constructing the fire pit on a solid surface that will remain exposed, do not use a permanent marker. ephenry.com | 800-444-3679
| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
1) CONCRETE SLAB AND PAVER
CONSTRUCTION: When building your fire pit on top of a concrete slab or paver surface, it is recommended that a layer of geotextile or landscaping weed barrier cloth be laid in the bottom of the pit and turned up the inside of the block 4”.
The bottom of the fire pit cavity should then be filled with clean sand to a depth of 4”. This will help prevent ash particles from washing out of the bottom of the fire pit and staining the surrounding surface.
Continue to page 6.
PAVERS OR CONCRETE SLAB/INSET INSTALLATION
1) Establish location of Fire Pit.
2) Mark out the exterior dimension.
3) Cut out pavers and lay first course.
4) Install weed barrier cloth.
5) Stagger Joints 6) Build to desired height (not to exceed 7 courses).
7) Place copper bowl and grate.
8) Cap the Fire Pit wall.
8) Add spark screen and enjoy!
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| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
2) DENSE AGGREGATE BASE/FREE-
STANDING INSTALLATION: Mark out the area of the fire pit and excavate deep enough to accommodate 6” of well-compacted, dense-graded aggregate stone, a 1” layer of setting bed sand, and the 3” thickness of one layer of fire pit wall block that will be buried as the footer course. Make sure the excavated soil surface is smooth and level.
Thoroughly compact the soil surface. Geotextile
(Mirafi 500) is recommended as a separation membrane on top of the soil surface and up the sides of the excavation to help maintain the integrity of the dense-graded aggregate stone base, especially when clay soils are present.
Shovel in the stone for the base and spread it evenly in layers 2” thick. Carefully compact the stone base.
For best results, use of a vibratory plate compactor is recommended for this purpose. Repeat this process until the stone base is 6” deep. Before compacting the final layer of stone, use a straight edge and level to see if the surface is smooth and level, then compact and check again. If the surface is not level and smooth, scratch the surface with a rake, smooth and level it, and compact it again. If the fire pit is being incorporated into a paver installation set the base course along with the pavers as they are being installed.
For the 1” sand setting bed, lay two or more pipes with an outside diameter of 1” on the stone base.
Place a couple of shovelfuls of coarse, washed concrete sand between the pipes. Then using a straight edge, such as a 2”x 4”, drag it across the length of the pipes pushing and smoothing the sand.
Repeat this process until the entire surface is covered with a uniform layer of coarse concrete sand 1” thick.
Pick up the pipes and fill in the void left by the pipe with sand, smoothing it with a broom or mason’s trowel.
Lay the first course of fire pit wall block, setting the units tightly together and being careful to lower the block straight down on to the sand. Do not drop the units into place or set them on edge and let them flop down. Either method will result in an uneven base coarse that will cause structural unevenness in the fire pit wall. If any block are out of alignment or the circle is distorted, tap the blocks into place with a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer. The interior of the circle created by the base course should be as close to perfect as possible. The exterior dimension should vary due to the irregular face of each block.
Once the first course has been aligned, seat the blocks into the sand by striking them in a downward motion on the exposed horizontal flat side of the block with a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet.
Check the top surface of the blocks to make sure they are level from front to back, side to side, and from block to block around the circle of block and spanning the circle of block equatorially from one side to the other. The block should settle into the sand about 3/8”.
Continue to page 6.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
It is your responsibility to notify the utility companies a few days prior to digging so that they can mark out any underground lines. For your convenience, dial 8-1-1- nationwide and be prepared to describe the scope of your project. Avoid injury, expense and possibly a day in the dark.
For more info, visit www.call811.com.
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| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
FREE STANDING INSTALLATION
1) Prep aggregate base and sand setting bed.
2) Lay first course of block.
3) Level.
4) Make sure first course is perfectly level prior to laying further courses.
5) Lay second and additional courses.
6) Level and align blocks vertically.
7) Place copper bowl.
8) Cap wall and add grates.
9) Add spark screen and enjoy!
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| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
INSTALLING
THE BLOCK
(FOR BOTH INSTALLATION METHODS)
Now set the next course of block in place. Position each course so the blocks are centered on the joint between two blocks beneath it. This will stagger the joints of the block providing stronger, more stable construction as well as a more pleasing appearance.
Continue to lay block in this manner. It is optional to apply heat tolerant adhesive toward the outside edge of the exposed, horizontal, flat surface of each block as the block being placed on top of it is laid.
Use a level to align the block vertically on the inside face of the wall. The outside fire pit face profile will vary due to the split face and deeply textured surface of the blocks. If the blocks are being glued, make sure any alignment adjustments are done quickly because the adhesive will set up in a short amount of time and the block will be permanently set in place.
Backfill the exposed compacted stone in the overdig area with soil or decorative stone. Wood chips, mulch, and other flammable materials should not be used in or around the fire pit to cover disturbed soil or the excavation overdig.
SETTING THE BOWL
AND CAPPING THE
FIRE PIT WALL:
After the fire pit wall has been constructed to your desired height or the maximum height, place the metal bowl in the center of the opening. Then dry lay the four wall caps around the bowl. Overlap the inside lower surface of the capping units on top of the bowl flange and butt the sides of the capping units tightly together. Check to see if the circular cap overhangs the fire pit wall in a fairly uniform fashion and is not off center.
Fire Bowl Drainage and Construction Options –
The fire bowl is a solid unit and does not have a drain hole in the bottom of it. As a result it may fill with rain water and overflow, causing ash or debris left in the fire bowl to float out on to the surrounding surfaces. To reduce the problems caused by ash being blown out of the fire bowl or washed out by rain, it is recommended that all ash and debris be removed from the fire bowl after each use. Make sure all embers are completely burned out and no longer a fire hazard and that the ash is cool before removing it.
Dispose of all ash properly.
If you want the fire bowl to drain into the fire pit well below, drill a hole in your fire bowl to allow drainage. Use a drill bit suitable for metal and drill a hole 3/8” to 1/2” in diameter on the side of the fire bowl above the level of the lower grate. This will allow water to flow out of the bowl above residual ash and carry less of it into the fire pit well below. If you opt to drill the drainage hole, the filtration membrane and sand needs to be installed in the bottom of the fire pit well to capture ash, debris, and any cooking residue that drain out. Ash should be cleaned out and properly disposed of after each use when all embers have burned out and are no longer a fire hazard and the ash is completely cool.
To allow for the clean out of the filtration membrane or to easily dump rain water out of the fire bowl do not glue or mortar in place the four (4) semi-circular charcoal colored caps that are placed over the fire bowl flange. Instead set those units in place so they fit tightly together and can be removed when needed. This will allow you to remove the fire bowl to remove water or clean out the filtration membrane below it, and is the recommended practice.
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| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES
Gluing Cap Units In Place (Optional): If you choose to secure the four (4) semi-circular caps units permanently, after aligning them in place, lift up each capping unit individually leaving the three others in place to act as a guide then apply the adhesive. Place daubs of adhesive the size of a quarter
6” apart, near the outside edge of the fire pit wall block on the flat horizontal surface. Carefully lower the cap unit back into place until it touches the adhesive. Do not tap the units with a hammer to align them. It will leave marks on the cap surface.
Instead, pat them into place with your hand or use a rubber mallet if needed.
After the cap units are set in place, insert the smaller grill that supports the fuel source and keeps it above the bowl. Then insert the larger grill for cooking.
Place the spark screen on the bowl and you are finished with your fire pit installation. Do not light a fire in the fire pit for at least 48 hours to allow any adhesive to cure properly and for potentially flammable fumes to dissipate.
LIGHTING FIRES:
IMPORTANT: Please review and become familiar with the safety guidelines that accompany these instructions. Your EP Henry Fire Pit is not designed for large fires. Make sure that the fires you light are kept small and held away from the edge of the spark screen for the first several fires. Except in case of emergency, always allow fires to burn out on their own. Extinguishing fires with water may cause the cap or wall units to crack or spall. Do not burn lumber, plywood, trash, leaves, or other debris in your fire pit. Only burn dry hardwoods. Do not use lighter fluid, gasoline, or other fire accelerants to start or maintain fires. Always use the spark screen to cover a fire. Always use the fire poker to open and close the spark screen when fires are lit or burning out. Wear fire resistant gloves when maintaining the fire and opening the spark screen. The spark screen will become extremely hot and burn skin on contact.
EP HENRY FIRE PIT
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
• Read all safety recommendations carefully.
Before assembling your EP Henry Fire Pit read all of the instructions and installation guidelines.
• Contact your local building code or fire safety code officials to obtain any regulations regarding the construction and use of fire pits in your community. Make sure you comply with those regulations.
• Selecting the location of your firepit: Choose a location that is at least 20 feet away from any structures.
• Make sure that there are no overhanging objects such as tree branches, canopies, cantilevered roof structures, or other elements that are flammable and could catch on fire.
• Never build a fire pit for use in a house, warehouse, gazebo, garage, or any other indoor setting.
• Make sure that combustible materials such as wood chips, mulch, ornamental grasses, propane tanks, barbeque grills and other flammable materials are a safe distance away.
GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES:
• Never use fire accelerants such lighter fluid, kerosene, gasoline, etc. to start or maintain fires.
• Keep children away from the fire pit while burning fires. Never leave children unsupervised around a fire.
• Always burn fires with the spark screen on and in the closed position.
• Always use the poker or similar long fire tools to ephenry.com | 800-444-3679 | 7 |
| FIRE PIT INSTALLATION GUIDELINES open and close the spark screen.
• Never touch the spark screen while a fire is lit. The spark screen will become extremely hot and burn skin on contact.
• Never use the fire pit to dry clothes, laundry, or other damp items.
• Never sit too close to the fire. Establish seating positions at least three feet away from the fire pit.
• Always use fire resistant gloves when placing wood into the fire, opening, or closing the spark screen.
• Always use fire resistant gloves to manipulate the spark screen when a fire is lit, or adding wood to the fire.
• Always have a source of water or fire extinguisher available in case of emergencies.
• Always burn dry hardwoods in your fire pit. Do not burn lumber, plywood, trash, leaves, or other debris in your fire pit.
• Never stack too much wood in the fire bowl. Make sure the spark screen can close tightly before you light a fire.
• Unless there is an emergency, never extinguish the fire with water. It may cause the wall caps or fire pit block to crack or spaul.
• Do not light fires if the wind is blowing toward structures or if the wind is strong allowing sparks to carry any distance away from those maintaining the fire.
• Do not allow ash to build up in the fire bowl.
Never throw out embers. Make sure that all ash is completely cold before disposing of it.
EP HENRY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR:
• Damages, injuries, or expenses caused by use of the fire pit or its use in areas where there are hazardous or flammable materials, flammable gases, fireworks, or any sources of collateral combustion or explosion.
• Damages, injuries, or expenses caused by improper use or use not compliant with the safety guidelines.
• Damages, injuries, or expenses resulting from the misuse, accidents, negligence, delinquent behavior, or secondary fires resulting from use of the fire pit.
• Damages, injuries, and expenses caused by insufficient maintenance of the fire pit, fire bowl, spark screen, or any other element of the fire pit.
EP Henry provides a Lifetime Guarantee on the structural integrity of our paving stones and wall systems for residential use. Please refer to our catalog, visit us at www.ephenry.com or call 800-444-3679 for full details.
The hardware components – copper bowl, grills, spark screen and poker – are not manufactured by EP Henry and therefore, not covered by our Lifetime Guarantee.
Please note: Hardware components will show signs of wear after exposure to high temperatures and the elements.
Discoloration, flaking and rust are normal results of this exposure and not considered product defects. Please refer also to the Assembly and Instruction Sheet included with the hardware kit.
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