Building A Fire Pit

Video: How to Build a Round Fire Pit

Mark Your Layout

Build the Foundation Pad and Level

Place First Course of Blocks

Build the second course and install base rock and decorative rock

Install the Wall Caps

End Cap meets raised ring

Option 1: Flip AB York block over

Option 2: Remove notch on end cap

Building A Round Fire Pit

With this flexible system you can build a round fire pit in a weekend using these few simple steps. If you will be building in an area that does not have an existing patio or pavement, see How-to Sheet #120 Building Wall Panels for more information.

Step 1: Determine the Location

Determine the location of your fire pit. Then lay out the first course of blocks to find the size of your fire pit and establish where the sod and soil will be removed to construct the base. In this example we used 28 AB York blocks to construct each course, making the diameter 81 in. (2.0 m).

Step 2: Build the Foundation Pad

Mark the location of the blocks with a shovel, remove the blocks and sod, and dig a level trench that is 3 in. (75 mm) deep and 7 in. wide (178 mm). Fill the trench with base rock and compact using a hand tamper.

*Note: The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, they will need to be removed and replaced with additional base rock. A good foundation will ensure a stable wall for years to come.

Step 3: Level the Foundation Pad

Place 4 AB York blocks at the cross points of the circle. Use a straight 2x4 and a level to check the entire trench for level. Make adjustments as necessary by adding or removing base rock.

Base Rock: Using the proper materials to create the base foundation for the panels is important when building on soil. We recommend using a compactible base rock material that is gravel in varying sizes of angular or smooth aggregates similar to the wall rock used in retaining walls or a road/ paver base type material.

Step 4: Construct the First Course

Place the base course of block on the foundation pad, checking each block for level from front to back and side to side before placing the next block. This will ensure a level base course.

Step 5: Build the Second Course

Stack the next course of blocks, making adjustments as necessary. Once the second course is installed, remove any sod or vegetation from the center of the fire pit area. Lay in approximately six 50 lb (23 kg) bags of clean rock within the circle to cover the bottom of the fire pit. Then using a shovel, rake smooth.

Step 6: Install the Decorative Rock

Install decorative rock to line the interior of the fire pit. Then place metal fire ring in the center of the fire pit area. (Decorative rock and metal fire ring optional. Contact local supplier for availability.)

Step 7: Finish the Wall with Wall Caps

Finish your fire pit with Wall Caps. Place all caps with the long side facing the outside of the curve centered over the two AB York blocks.

The Wall Caps are manufactured with a standard and an end cap finish. There is an average of 1 end cap for every 4 standard caps when offered by the local manufacturer - check for availability.

There are two ways to install an end cap when it meets up with the raised ring of the AB York block.

Option 1: When the end caps meets up with a raised ring of a AB York block, flip this AB York block over to create a flat surface. This will allow the cap to be placed with no modification needed.

Option 2: Using a hammer and chisel, break off the notch on the bottom of the cap to allow for proper installation.

Once all the caps are installed, secure them in place with a bead of masonry adhesive on both sides of the raised rings.

Your project is complete. Just add some wood, fire it up and enjoy your Beautiful backyard fire pit.

Video: How to Build a Square Fire Pit

Mark out the fire pit location

Cut AB Dublin Blocks

Start the Corner

Build out from the corner

Use the small piece to start the second course corner

Build the first 2 courses

Add caps starting at the corner

Leave a gap at the corners to add a cut cap

Secure caps in place with flexible concrete adhesive

Finish placing Wall Caps

Building A Square Fire Pit

Build a square fire pit to enhance your outdoor space in just a weekend. If you will be building in an area that does not have an existing patio or pavement, see How-to Sheet #120 Building Wall Panels for more information.

Step 1: Determine the Location

Determine the location of your fire pit.Use tape measures to mark out the location and size of the square. This example shows how to build a 4.5 ft (1.4 m) square fire pit that is three courses high.

Step 2: Split/Cut Blocks

When building with corners, keep in mind that you will need to use a cut AB Dublin Blocks for each course. See How-to sheet #210 Cutting and Splitting Blocks for more information on modifying blocks. Start by cutting 6 AB Dublin blocks at a 3/4 split. Cutting the blocks creates a straight edge so there will not be a gap where the cut block and the corner block meet.

Step 3: Build

Starting at the corner place a Corner Block then place the large 3/4 size piece (1) of the AB Dublin with the cut side against the Corner Block to create the corner. Build out from the corner in both directions, placing AB Dublin and AB York blocks in the pattern desired.

On the second course, alternate the position of the Corner Block to face the opposite direction of the one on the first course. Place the small piece of the AB Dublin Block next to the corner. Continue building out from the corner in both directions.

Build the first two courses following the the patterns below or use your own pattern using the cut AB Dublin Blocks to create the corner.

*Note: By Installing the first two courses of block at the same time. This will ensure that the blocks line up properly. The raised rings on the top of the blocks lock the courses together by fitting into the blocks above.

Step 4: Continue Building

Build the third course using the same pattern as the first course. For more variation in the pattern you can change the order of some of the blocks within the wall segments.

Step 5: Install Decorative Rock (optional)

Install decorative rock to line the interior of the fire pit. (optional)

Step 6: Install Wall Caps

Finish your fire pit with Wall Caps. Starting at the corner, place the first two Wall Caps following the wall in the same direction. Place the first Wall Cap with the long end facing the outside of the wall. Alternate the direction of the second Wall Cap. continue this pattern to the next corner. (There will be a gap at the end of each wall section.)

Measure the gap and cut a cap to fit the space. Use a masonry saw with a dry cutting diamond blade to make a complete cut. Repeat this step for each corner

Step 7: Finish

Once all the caps are installed, secure them in place with a bead of masonry adhesive. Then place the metal fire ring in the center of the fire pit area. (optional)

Your project is complete. Just add some wood, fire it up and enjoy your beautiful backyard fire pit.

BUILDING ON SOIL

If you are building on soil, layout the first course of the fire pit to determine the location. Then mark the location of the blocks with a shovel and remove the blocks and sod. Dig a level trench that is 3 in. (75 mm) deep and 7 in. (178 mm) wide to create a foundation for the blocks. Then fill the trench with crushed rock and compact using a hand tamper. Continue to Step 3.

NOTE: The soil beneath the foundation pad must be a good quality compactable material. If soft soils are encountered, they will need to be removed and replaced with additional crushed rock. A good foundation will ensure a stable wall for yearsto come.