Fire Features for Commercial Properties: What Contractors Need to Know (and How to Keep from Getting Burned)

Fire features are a strong visual and functional addition to commercial properties like restaurants, hotels, city parks, and multi-family outdoor spaces. But designing and installing them takes more than just good looks—there are critical concerns around safety, materials, layout, utilities and controls that should be factored in right from the start of design and planning.  

Don't put your business and reputation at risk by installing a fire feature that's meant for a backyard into a commercial space. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key considerations when you're planning a commercial fire feature to ensure success and avoid headaches and hazards. 

Construction Options: Custom-Built vs. Prefabricated

3 main approaches:

Burner Kits For Site-Built Structures: You build the enclosure and we supply you with the burner, pan, ignition system, media, and controls. This route gives maximum design flexibility, especially if you need to use the same finish materials found in other parts of the project on the fire pit. 

RTF (Ready-to-Finish) Fire Pit: We supply you with a structure that has a cement board exterior ready to have finish materials such as stone, tile, or stucco applied. These can come complete with the necessary pan, burner, ignition, and media as well. If you don’t want to design and build the entire thing, but simply want specific finish materials applied to it, this is your best bet. 

Pre-Finished Fire Pit: We supply a fully assembled structure that just needs to be set and hooked up. These are ideal when a finish other than stone is desired; such as powder coat steel, stainless-steel, GFRC, copper, or Cor-Ten Steel. If you do not want to design and build a fire pit and are looking for “plug and play”, this is by far your easiest solution. 

Pro Tip! Outdoor fire features need to hold up to real-world conditions. Coastal areas may require marine-grade stainless or brass burner systems. High-wind zones benefit from wind guards and ignitions with flame sensors. Areas that get a lot of precipitation may need burner covers for rainy or snowy weather. Also, locations with lots of sun exposure may change the finish materials that are best for construction. Avoid a future phone call from an angry property manager by addressing these items before a unit is purchased and installed.  

Operation and controls

Electronic Ignition Systems This is the most fail proof ignition system that you can get. It brings consistent reliability, safety, and ease of operation and runs off of 120v power with built-in flame sensing and auto shutoff. If you are installing a commercial fire feature, it MUST be equipped with a flame sensing valve and an auto safety shutoff. This ensures that if the burner flame is extinguished, the gas will shut off and stop flowing out of the burner. While we do offer ignition options that offer a flame sense and auto safety shutoff that run off a battery pack, or even no power at all, your best bet is always going to be one that runs off a dedicated 120v power source. This also allows for integration with timers, emergency stops, wall switches, or even building control systems—much more reliable than battery-powered setups. This is important to discuss at the very beginning of the design and planning to ensure that proper utilities are being run to the installation location for the fire pit. 

Timers and Switches Once you have your ignition system nailed down, your next step is deciding the best way of controlling it to operate your fire pit. If property guests or the public will be turning the fire feature on/off, a commercial timer is typically the best approach. A timer will ensure that a guest does not turn on a fire pit, walk away, and leave it burning indefinitely until it is noticed and turned off. Switches are best for applications where the property staff is monitoring and operating the fire pit, and the switch is located in a safe location where only staff can access it.

Emergency Stop Buttons Emergency Stops, or "E-stops" as they are commonly referred to, are a way to cut power to the ignition system immediately shutting off the fire pit. These are sometimes required by the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction). Typically, they are installed close enough to the fire pit so that they are clearly visible but not so close that you can't access it if the fire pit were to be too dangerous to approach. 

Pro Tip! You may be working with a client that has zero experience with a commercial gas fire pit. It is not uncommon for them to feel a sense of sticker shock and be overwhelmed with all the additional requirements of a commercial fire pit especially if they are comparing it to a backyard fire pit. Don't allow the client to dictate what is safe or appropriate due to poorly planned budgets or incorrect expectations from their end! Educate the client on what is needed and why, cover the very real safety and liability threats, and don't install a fire pit that could end up hurting someone if not done properly. We can provide helpful and supporting information for your client meetings and presentations if needed - we are here to help!

Safety Requirements 

Clearances and Compliance Follow manufacturer specs and local codes (whichever is stricter) for clearance to combustibles to overhead protection, surrounding combustible materials, and ventilation needs (see more on venting below). In commercial settings, it’s not just best practice—it’s code.

ADA and Public Use Considerations Make sure the layout is accessible and safe for all users. That means thoughtful placement away from walkways, installing the proper control options and placement, and using protective barriers & signage when needed.

Ventilation If you're building an enclosed fire pit structure, proper venting is a must. This prevents gas buildup and ensures safe operation. Vent kits are simple to install, essential, and are required not only for code compliance but also to meet the property's insurance requirements in the case of an incident. An unvented gas burning fire pit is NEVER acceptable and is a recipe for disaster. 

Accessories that Add Safety Consider wind guards to protect the flame as well as nearby guests, burner covers to keep debris out, and signage when needed to meet property standards. 

Pro Tip! Proper venting of the fire pit, in combination with the use of an ignition system equipped with a flame sensor, is possibly the most important construction consideration to ensure that you are reducing the risk of an accidental and unintentional combustion (aka an explosion). When an explosion happens, serious injury and even death can occur. Fortunately, these instances can be avoided with the use of a proper ignition system, correct fire pit construction, and venting of the structure. Also, never backfill a fire pit structure under the burner pan. It should be an open air space from above grade to the burner pan for it to have proper airflow.

Installation Planning 

Utility Coordination Plan ahead for both gas and electrical runs. Make sure the GC or site foreman knows where those stub-outs need to be. Flame Source is happy to provide spec sheets and rough-in guidance. Ensure that the BTU requirements have been passed along to the gas plumber so that the gas line is sized appropriately for the ignition and burner of the fire pit. Improper gas line sizing is the #1 culprit when a fire pit ignition system is being troubleshooted for issues - avoid the extra trips and headache and plan for proper gas pressure from the start. 

Trade Coordination Work with your landscaper, gas plumber, electrician, and masons to avoid delays. If you're providing the components, Flame Source can help you spec everything and go over timing and logistics so you’re ready when it’s time to build. Proper planning prevents poor performance! 

Media Options 

The type of media you choose affects both aesthetics and the budget for a project; however, it is often overlooked. Be sure to match the media to the design intent, safety requirements, and burner specs. Certain burners will pair better with certain media types; we can help you navigate those options.  

Lava rock is a classic, cost-effective option that offers a traditional look and low maintenance. 

Fire glass adds a modern, high-end look. With a multitude of colors and shapes available, fire glass can really elevate a fire pit design.  

Ceramic logs and river rocks & stones offer a more natural vibe but need to be paired with a burner that supports them and may require more maintenance. 

Fire Balls are a growing trend for an ultra-modern look. 

Custom ornaments can make your fire feature stand out and personalized, adding a level of aesthetics that will be sure to “Wow” your client and match their branding and desired atmosphere.  

Pro Tip! Impress the client with your attention to detail by ensuring that the fire pit media is part of the initial conversations and factored into your estimate. Often, this can be overlooked and then gets added after the fire pit structure has been installed, leading to additional unplanned costs and delays that create a headache for everyone. Don’t be that contractor!

Working on a fire pit for a commercial property?  Flame Source can help!

Our NFI Certified experts work with contractors across the country to supply reliable, commercial-grade fire pit components as well as guidance for proper design, planning, installation, and post-install support. Let us know what you're building, and we’ll help you spec it right - THE FIRST TIME!

Call us at 947-941-4111, Email us at [email protected] or fill out our Pro Application to partner with us for all of your fire feature needs! 

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*Always follow manufacturer instructions and adhere to your local governing laws and code requirements for proper installation. This article is meant to serve as a guide for some of the considerations when planning a commercial fire pit and is not intended to serve as specific installation instructions or a comprehensive guide for installation.