Can you put a fire pit under a covered patio? Only a gas fire table, only if its manual allows overhead cover, and only with the overhead clearance that manual states. Wood fires are out. Fully enclosed rooms are out, including a screened porch with the screens down. A fire pit under covered patio roofs works only when the roof is high and the sides are open. The manuals we opened ask for 6 feet to 10 feet above the unit, which rules out most standard patio covers.
This guide goes deeper than our fire pit distance from house guide (code setbacks) and our fire pit on a wood deck guide (decking and heat shields).
Open vs enclosed: the first test for a fire pit under covered patio space
Every gas fire table manual we opened draws a hard line at enclosed spaces. The Prism Hardscapes Tavola installation guide warns that the appliance “may produce carbon monoxide which has no odor” and that using it in an enclosed space “may result in death.” It also recommends carbon monoxide detectors “in any adjacent occupied spaces.” A propane fire pit owner’s manual that dealer Starfire Direct posts on its Patio Resort Lifestyles fire table pages says “Never use this appliance in an enclosed space such as a camper, tent, car or home”.
None of them defines how many open sides make a covered patio “outdoors,” so use these rules of thumb and confirm with the maker:
- A roof with all four sides open is the best case. A roof with three walls is a gray zone; ask the manufacturer.
- Drop down shades, curtains, or clear vinyl walls make an open patio an enclosure while they are closed. Never run the flame with them down.
Propane fire pit on screened porch: yes or no?
We would say no. Screens slow air exchange, porch ceilings are usually low, and the porch shares walls and windows with the house, the “adjacent occupied space” Prism mentions. Choose an electric heater instead.
Fire pit ceiling clearance: what the manuals actually say
Measure from the top of the burner or flame to the lowest point overhead: a beam, a fan blade, a light fixture or a gutter lip. Use the largest number that applies to your table.
- Prism Hardscapes Tavola series: the installation guide says all units must have clearance to combustible surfaces of 4 ft on the sides and 6 ft from the top. Our deck guide quotes a Prism sheet with a larger ceiling figure; use the larger.
- Starfire hosted propane fire pit manual (shown on Patio Resort Lifestyles pages): “Combustible materials should never be within 10 feet of the top, back or sides of your propane fire pit.” It lists 55,000 BTU burners while our listings say 56,000 BTU, so ask us for your exact table’s manual.
Fire pit under pergola: an example with real numbers
Our 10 x 10 ft louvered pergola ($1,825.99) lists a height of 7.6 feet, about 91 inches. Put a 25 inch tall Patio Resorts table underneath and you have about 66 inches from the tabletop to the louvers. That misses Prism’s 72 inches and the 10 foot figure, and the beams stay overhead even with louvers open.
Ceiling materials, fans and gutters
| Overhead | Main risk | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wood rafters or tongue and groove | Combustible; can char over time | Full manual clearance |
| Vinyl or PVC soffit and patio covers | Warps or softens at lower heat | Add margin beyond the manual |
| Aluminum louvers or panels | Traps heat; may carry fabric screens | Open louvers; follow the manual anyway |
| Fabric shades, umbrellas, sails | Combustible; moves in wind | Retract fully or no flame |
Turn ceiling fans off while the fire is lit; they push flame sideways and can blow out a burner. Measure to vinyl gutters at the roof edge too. Prism’s guide also says “Never use fire feature in windy conditions.”
Side clearance, BTU and flame height
Overhead is not the only number. Prism asks for 4 feet at the sides to posts, siding, curtains and cushions. Higher BTU means taller flames and more heat rising into the roof. The Starfire hosted manual says flame “should be 3 to 13 inches high,” so measure with the flame on high. Our fire pit buying guide explains BTU.
A glass wind guard steadies the flame. The Wind Guard for Patio Resorts Round Fire Pans ($337.77) fits the round Patio Resorts tables. It does not reduce required clearance.
Gas fire table under roof: tables and listed clearances
Prices below are at the time of writing.
| Fire table | BTU | Fuel | Overhead clearance in a manual | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prism Hardscapes Tavola 3 48 in Cafe, propane | 65,000 | Propane | 6 ft from the top, 4 ft sides (Tavola guide) | $2,954.00 |
| Patio Resorts Windsor 48 in Round | 56,000 | Propane, 20 lb tank | Not listed (dealer manual says 10 ft; confirm) | $2,177.17 |
| Patio Resorts Bermuda 48 in Round | 56,000 | Propane, 20 lb tank | Not listed (dealer manual says 10 ft; confirm) | $2,036.83 |
| Patio Resorts Paris 49 in Square | 56,000 | Propane, 20 lb tank | Not listed (dealer manual says 10 ft; confirm) | $1,780.50 |
See every shape on our Patio Resorts brand page.
Propane tank placement and natural gas lines under a roof
The Starfire hosted manual says not to store a spare cylinder “under or near this appliance” or in “any other enclosed area,” and wants over 60 inches between the fire feature and an external cylinder. Keep spare tanks out from under the roof.
For natural gas, the Prism guide says a gas professional runs the line underground to a 1/2 inch shutoff valve, and installation must follow local codes and the National Fuel Gas Code. A licensed gas pro and your local code have the final word.
Lease, HOA and insurance
Many leases and HOA rules ban open flame under balconies and covered patios. Get approval in writing, ask your insurer whether a gas fire feature under a roof changes coverage, and ask your fire marshal which code applies.
Safer alternatives for covered and screened spaces
- Electric infrared heaters: the RADtec Torrid Series 77 inch 6000W ($1,050.00) mounts on a wall or ceiling. RADtec’s Torrid manual asks for at least 6 feet to the floor and 24 inches to heated surfaces, and says to consult a licensed electrician for the 220 to 240 volt circuit. For a plug in option, the Napoleon Phantom Freestanding Electric Infrared Heater ($859.00) runs on a standard 120V outlet. Our patio heater heat radius guide helps with sizing.
- Outdoor electric fireplace: the Amantii Panorama Series Indoor/Outdoor 50 in Deep XT ($3,599.00) is listed for indoor and covered outdoor settings and has a 4,800 BTU heater, and its flames run with or without heat.
Covered patio fire pit checklist
- Gas fire table only; no wood or charcoal under any roof.
- The manual allows overhead cover. If it says no, the answer is no.
- Burner to ceiling, beam, fan and gutter, plus side clearance, meet the manual.
- All sides open while lit; shades, screens and vinyl walls up.
- Ceiling fan off; CO detector in adjacent rooms.
- Spare propane tanks stored outside and away from the roof.
- Gas line, lease, HOA and insurance confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a fire pit under a pergola?
A gas fire table, sometimes. Beams count as overhead, and most 7 to 8 foot pergolas are too low for the 6 foot to 10 foot figures we found.
How much fire pit ceiling clearance do I need?
Whatever your table’s manual says, measured from the flame or burner. Prism’s Tavola guide says 6 feet from the top; the propane manual posted on Patio Resort Lifestyles pages says 10 feet.
Is a gas fire table under roof cover safer than a wood fire pit?
Yes, because there are no sparks or embers. It still makes heat and carbon monoxide.
Can I use a propane fire pit on a screened porch?
We do not recommend it. The manuals forbid enclosed spaces; go electric instead.
Want the manual for a table before you buy? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. Read our return and refund policy before ordering.
