The Thing: a stylish way to prolong backyard revelry for as long as humanly possible
It’s every Torontonian’s birthright to kvetch about the early onslaught of winter. This year, the city has latched onto something to stave off the season’s menacing grip: the backyard fire pit, a simple (almost paleolithic) invention that makes outdoor merriment feasible—complaint-free—for a little longer. Khai Foo, the designer and pyro enthusiast behind Paloform—whose flame-filled showroom in Corktown is worth seeing for the fiery spectacle alone—turns the camp and cottage staple into a sleek, patio-friendly hearth that’s distinctly urban. The crisp, angular lines of the Bento (the popular unit above) are set off by a brilliant open flame, fuelled by clean-burning natural gas or propane and radiating up to 60,000 BTU (for the record: that’s pretty hot). It’s available in six colours, each made to order from hand-cast concrete and topped with Japanese lava rocks—the kind found in Zen gardens—or basalt river rocks. It’s as much a conversation piece as anything—a happier topic than how frickin’ cold it’s getting. $3,000. Paloform, 296 King St. E., 1-888-823-8883.
 invention that makes outdoor merriment feasible—complaint-free—for a little longer. Khai Foo, the designer and pyro enthusiast behind Paloform—whose flame-filled showroom in Corktown is worth seeing for the fiery spectacle alone—turns the camp and cottage staple into a sleek, patio-friendly hearth that’s distinctly urban. The crisp, angular lines of the Bento (the popular unit above) are set off by a brilliant open flame, fuelled by clean-burning natural gas or propane and radiating up to 60,000 BTU (for the record: that’s pretty hot). It’s available in six colours, each made to order from hand-cast concrete and topped with Japanese lava rocks—the kind found in Zen gardens—or basalt river rocks. It’s as much a conversation piece as anything—a happier topic than how frickin’ cold it’s getting. $3,000. Paloform, 296 King St. E., 1-888-823-8883.
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…aren’t these illegal within city limits?
Not if you are living in St. James park…..
Roger D: This is what I don’t get about this article. It is illegal and violates the municipal fire code. “The Toronto Fire Services would like to reissue a reminder to the public regarding outdoor fireplaces, firepits, and chiminea devices after receiving numerous calls from the public this past weekend. Open air burning is not permitted within the City of Toronto as per the Ontario Fire Code; these devices as designed emit an open flame. Toronto Life where is your research?
I have an outdoor oven stove oven and approved by the fire dept in North York. If it is used for cooking and the fire is contained within the unit themn it does not violate the municipal fire code.
I have an outdoor wood stove oven and approved by the fire dept in North York. If it is used for cooking and the fire is contained within the unit then it does not violate the municipal fire code.
Call the helpline 311 to find out, don’t assume if you don’t do it nobody can’t do it.
@Baboon There is a world of difference between an oven, which is a contained fire. You would have to jump inside the oven to do yourself harm. Open fires, especially those located on the ground, pose a hazard to those surrounding it, especially those who have had a few brewskis and if it gets out of control due to overfeeding of fuel, whether it be wood or gas, and the proximity to sources such as bushes, trees, wooden lawn furniture and other structures. The Fire department has more important things to do than checking to see whether those who have open fire pits in their yards are a) sober and B) common sense.
My neighbours bought one of these this summer. Perhaps the city inspector dropped by and told them not to use it, because they haven’t. These neighbours are totally impractical and not versed in anything like health and safety. I dread when/if they actually use the thing. I fear for my house, because these idiots would get drunk and stupid(er).
In its statement from Toronto Fire Services is somewhat general in its terminology in its statement from April 24, 2007 which @June cites. The statement refers to the Ontario Fire Code which states (in its entirety on the topic of Open-Air Burning:
Open-air burning
2.6.3.4. (1) Open-air burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
(2) Sentence (1) does not apply to an appliance that is in conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, is for outdoor use and is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In (1) “approved” is defined as approved by the Chief Fire Official”
In (2) “conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act”, in summary, essentially means poses no risk to public safety.
These fire pits (I can’t speak for all fire pits) are tested, certified and listed under CSA and ANSI standards as “Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances” and “Gas-fired Appliances for Outdoor Installation”
Toronto Fire Services is somewhat general in its terminology in its statement from April 24, 2007 which @June cites. The statement refers to the Ontario Fire Code which states (in its entirety on the topic of Open-Air Burning:
Open-air burning
2.6.3.4. (1) Open-air burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
(2) Sentence (1) does not apply to an appliance that is in conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, is for outdoor use and is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In (1) “approved” is defined as approved by the Chief Fire Official”
In (2) “conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act”, in summary, essentially means poses no risk to public safety.
These fire pits (I can’t speak for all fire pits) are tested, certified and listed under CSA and ANSI standards as “Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances” and “Gas-fired Appliances for Outdoor Installation”
Toronto Fire Services is somewhat general in its terminology in its statement from April 24, 2007 which @June cites. The statement refers to the Ontario Fire Code which states (in its entirety on the topic of Open-Air Burning):
Open-air burning
2.6.3.4. (1) Open-air burning shall not be permitted unless approved, or unless such burning consists of a small, confined fire, supervised at all times, and used to cook food on a grill or a barbecue.
(2) Sentence (1) does not apply to an appliance that is in conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, is for outdoor use and is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
In (1) “approved” is defined as approved by the Chief Fire Official”
In (2) “conformance with the Technical Standards and Safety Act”, in summary, essentially means poses no risk to public safety.
These fire pits (I can’t speak for all fire pits) are tested, certified and listed under CSA and ANSI standards as “Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances” and “Gas-fired Appliances for Outdoor Installation”
People don’t just create out of control fires when they’re drunk. This presumption is baseless. If common sense is truly common, then everyone has it and the fire department would not check for it in the first place.