The photo above, taken by the Berwyn, PA fire department, shows a fire caused by ashes from a charcoal grill. Damage to the home, which included extensive smoke damage to the interior was estimated at $150,000. (source: mainlinemedianews.com)
Thousands of fires every year destroy residential decks . Often a deck fire will spread to the rest of the home and cause over $100,000 in damage. While many of the newspaper accounts of these fires end with a statement such as "the cause of the fire is under investigation," it is quite clear that in most cases, fire results when a homeowner fails to take sensible precautions.
Using a Fire Pit on a Composite Deck
Since composite decking generally incorporates the use of recycled plastic bottles as well has wood particles, it is vulnerable to excessive heat and can be more easily damaged by a fire pit than natural wood decking. Trex warns customers that its decking can “soften” at temperatures as low as 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Composite decking has many advantages, but it does call for greater caution when using a fire pit.How an elegant fire table brought the Atlanta Fire Department to a beautiful rooftop deck.