Are Fire Pits Legal in Sussex?

Enjoying your garden in the UK isn’t always easy, thanks to our famously unpredictable weather. For years, wood-burning fire pits have been a popular choice, offering a powerful heat source, affordability, and the flexibility to move them around the garden as needed. But they aren’t without downsides. Smoke that stings your eyes and a strong smell left on your clothes and in your hair can be offputting and are common complaints amongst our clients. 

Sussex, like much of the UK, has several designated smoke control areas. Local councils in boroughs such as Crawley and Brighton enforce restrictions on the burning of certain fuels. In these zones, the use of wood-burning appliances is heavily regulated. Only authorised smokeless fuels that have been approved by Defra are permitted, and traditional logs or kindling are not allowed. You can check if this applies to your local area using the Defra interactive map here.

However, even outside of these areas, if your neighbours consider your wood-burning fire pit a nuisance, your local council is obligated to investigate. This could incur fines of up to £1000 and render your firepit unusable. 

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 Sussex, 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. Additionally, fuel requires little to no storage space in comparison to kindling and logs.

If you are going to install a gas fire pit 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 Sussex’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.

Summary:

If you live in Sussex 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. With the cost of going out ever on the rise, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere at home is becoming increasingly important.  Therefore, at Solus Decor, we believe our fire pits are the best solution for Sussex residents looking to transform their garden into a stylish and cosy retreat for friends, family and themselves even in the chilliest winter months.