Are Fire Pits Legal in Surrey?

The rules and regulations surrounding fire pits in Surrey:

The UK’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, so making the most of your outdoor space, even in the beautiful green gardens of Surrey can be tricky. Wood burning fire pits are a well-loved tradition in many British homes. They typically produce more heat, are more portable, and less expensive. However, our clients frequently come to us with complaints of smoke that stings their eyes and the smell it leaves on their clothes and in their hair. 

Like many parts of the UK, Surrey contains several smoke control areas, particularly within boroughs such as Guildford, Woking, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell, and Reigate & Banstead. In these areas, most wood-burning appliances are restricted, and only authorised smokeless fuels approved by Defra may be used. 

Furthermore, wood burning smoke that is considered a nuisance could lead to complaints from neighbours that the local council is obligated to investigate. This could possibly raise fines (of up to £1000), or rendering your fire pit unusable. This means that traditional wood-burning fire pits, even though sold in many garden centres, are often not legal to use at home in much of Surrey.

Fortunately, natural gas, propane, and ethanol (biofuel) fire pits provide an excellent alternative. Because they are clean-burning and produce little to no smoke, they are permitted for both residential and commercial use in Surrey, even in smoke-controlled zones. Solus Decor’s fire pits, fire bowls and fire tables not only avoid this, but allow heat output to be controlled with little to no storage requirements for fuel such as with kindling and logs.

If you are considering installing a gas fire pit in your Surrey garden, here are the main rules and considerations:

• Certification: Outdoor fire pits must meet UK safety standards. At Solus Decor, our fire pits are CE, UKCA, ANSI, and CSA certified in their entirety, not just at the burner level, giving you full peace of mind.
• Safety distances: As with all UK installations, fire pits must be placed at a safe distance from combustible materials and positioned according to the manufacturer’s guidance (2.1 m, 41 cm from outdoor furniture).
• Clean-burning compliance: Since gas and propane fire pits don’t produce smoke, sparks, or embers, they are compliant in Surrey’s smoke control areas and can even be used on covered patios with adequate ventilation.
• Fuel storage: If you are using propane, tanks should be stored outside in a well-ventilated area, as per UK safety guidelines. Natural gas options require a fixed connection to your mains gas line, which is a one-off installation, typically running underneath your deck or patio. However, a particularly low-maintenance option from Solus are ethanol burning fire pits which don’t require the pipes or hoses that gas and propane do.

To summarise, if you live in Surrey and want to enjoy your outdoor space all year round, gas, propane, and ethanol fire pits are completely legal, safe, and compliant with local smoke control regulations. They are virtually smoke-free, easy to maintain, and create a warm, inviting atmosphere without the drawbacks of traditional wood-burning fire pits.

At Solus Decor, we believe our fire pits are the best solution for Surrey residents looking to transform their garden into a stylish and cosy retreat, even in the chilliest weather.