Fire pit ring cross-section — base, block wall, firebrick liner, and cap

Bottom to top: compacted gravel base (ICPI Tech Spec 2, 4″) under the whole footprint, a 2-course block ring wall, an optional firebrick liner on the inner face, and an optional cap stone. The ring is symmetric — this is half of it.

A half cross-section through a masonry fire pit ring (symmetric, so one wall tells the whole story): a compacted gravel base spans the full excavated footprint; a two-course concrete block ring wall sits on the base; an optional firebrick liner lines the inner face of the block to protect it from direct flame; an optional cap stone sits on top of the wall; and the open fuel area sits inside the liner. A dashed centerline marks where the ring continues around, and a side note repeats the fire-clearance advisory: a 25-foot model-code baseline from structures that must be verified against local rules, which vary. — Source: NCMA TEK 04-02A (CMU module); ICPI Tech Spec 2 (base); ASTM C1261 (firebrick); IFC 307.4.2 / NFPA 1 §10.10.4.3 (clearance)

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A half cross-section through a masonry fire pit ring (symmetric, so one wall tells the whole story): a compacted gravel base spans the full excavated footprint; a two-course concrete block ring wall sits on the base; an optional firebrick liner lines the inner face of the block to protect it from direct flame; an optional cap stone sits on top of the wall; and the open fuel area sits inside the liner. A dashed centerline marks where the ring continues around, and a side note repeats the fire-clearance advisory: a 25-foot model-code baseline from structures that must be verified against local rules, which vary.

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