Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

Fire Rings, Grills, Fireplaces, and Wood Stoves

An outdoor recreation access route must connect fire rings, grills, fireplaces or wood stoves that are provided in recreation sites to the other major constructed features at the recreation site. If the fire rings, grills, fireplaces, or wood stoves are provided in an area accessed by rail (rather than by vehicle), the routes connecting them to any other major constructed features provided in the area must comply with the technical requirements for trails.

Provide a clear floor or ground space around all usable sides of a fire ring, grill, fireplace, or wood stove so that someone isn't forced to get too close to the heat or fire and risk getting burned. The clear space must extend at least 48 inches (1,220 millimeters) out from the feature and be at least 48 inches (1,220 millimeters) wide. In many cases, a 48-inch (1,220-millimeter) -wide ring of clear space must be provided all around (figure 85), because all sides are usable. For instance, if a pedestal grill can rotate 360 degrees and all positions along that rotation are usable, the 48-inch (1,220-millimeter) clear space must completely surround the grill. If the grill doesn't rotate, clear space is only required on the sides from which access is needed to use the grill. Most fire rings are also usable on all sides. This space may be reduced to 36 inches (915 millimeters) minimum where a condition for exception exists.

Figure 85—The requirements for height, clear space, and reach range for a pedestal grill.

The slope of the clear floor or ground space must not exceed 1:48 (2 percent) in any direction. When the surface is unpaved or not built with boards, slopes 1:33 (3 percent) and less are allowed where necessary for drainage. The surface of the clear floor or ground space must be firm and stable, and the surface material used should be appropriate to the setting and level of development. However, if a condition for exception in an alteration project at an existing site prohibits full compliance with a specific requirement for clear floor or ground space (surface, slope, size, or location), the clear floor or ground space only has to comply with requirements to the extent practicable.

Ensure the fire-building surface within a fire ring is a minimum of 9 inches (230 millimeters) above the floor or ground surface. Figures 86 and 87 show fire-building surfaces above the ground. This matches the low side reach range in ABAAS.

Figure 86—This manufactured fire ring has an internal grate that elevates the fire-building surface 9 inches (230 millimeters) above the ground. The mesh ring above the fire-building grate allows enjoyment of the fire and allows air supply to aid combustion. The cooking grate swings to the side for access to the fire. Photo credit: Jamestown Advanced Products Corporation, Jamestown, NY.

Figure 87—The Prescott National Forest uses standard manufactured steel fire rings on fire-hardened concrete bases so that the fire-building surface meets accessibility requirements for height above the ground.

Some "fire rings" are not constructed features and don't meet the criteria for applying these requirements. For example, in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, people sometimes assemble rings of rocks at popular campsites and build campfires in them. To reduce the risk of campfires becoming uncontrolled fires, they may sometimes be allowed to remain rather than being immediately dismantled by the agency. The accessibility requirements for fire rings do not apply to these temporary, user-built "fire rings."

Controls and operating mechanisms for fire rings, grills (figure 88), fireplaces, and wood stoves must meet the requirements for reach ranges and operability specified in ABAAS, sections 308 and 309 that are explained in "Reach Ranges and Operability Requirements" of this guidebook. Several fire ring and grill manufacturers make models that comply with the reach range and operability requirements.

Figure 88—This pedestal grill at a campground on the Coconino National Forest works well for just about everybody.

Accessible models of some other wood-burning devices are not yet readily available. For these devices, compliance with the accessibility requirements for operating controls isn't required until models that meet the requirements are readily available from more than one source.

Ensure that each cooking surface, grill, and pedestal grill meets the requirements for cooking surface height, clear floor or ground space, slope, and surface. The height requirements are based on the height for countertops and the minimum low forward reach range in ABAAS. Ensure the height of the cooking surface is 15 inches (380 millimeters) to 34 inches (865 millimeters) above the floor or ground surface (see figure 85). Practically speaking, the lower range of the required height is associated with fire rings, not pedestal grills. Adjustable pedestal grills may be adjustable beyond the required range, but must include adjustments within the specified range. The adjustments don't have to include the entire range of acceptable heights for cooking surfaces.

Some outdoor fireplaces and custom-built fire rings have a raised edge or wall around the fire-building area, perhaps built out of bricks or mortared stone. In addition to meeting the requirement for a fire-building surface that is at least 9 inches (230 millimeters) above the ground or floor, make sure the width of the raised edge or wall does not exceed 10 inches (255 millimeters). Figures 89, 90, and 91 illustrate the requirements for fire rings and outdoor fireplaces.

Figure 89—The height, clear space, and reach range requirements for an outdoor fireplace.

Figure 90—The height and reach requirements for custom-built fire rings.

Figure 91—The height and reach requirements for manufactured steel fire rings.