Wide nighttime view of a modern outdoor entertaining area with a rectangular gas fire table positioned safely between lounge seating and open deck space, surrounded by illuminated gardens and lawn.

May 29, 2026

How Much Clearance Do You Need For A Fire Table

A fire table needs a minimum of 600mm clearance from any fixed object and 2,000mm of overhead clearance if it sits under a roof, though most people leave more room than that purely for comfortable seating. Before your outdoor cushions accidentally become "extra heating", here is the spacing that actually matters.

Four men seated with drinks around a fire table on a spacious timber deck, showing safe clearance between seating, walkways and the active flame in a landscaped Australian backyard.

How Much Space Does a Fire Table Actually Need?

One of the most common mistakes is cramming everything too close together. Somebody drags the lounge closer because the night turns chilly, another guest shifts their chair toward the flame, and suddenly everyone is sitting closer to the heat than the fire table was ever designed for.

EcoSmart's bioethanol fire tables, the kind My Acre sells, need a minimum of 600mm from any fixed object and a level, non-combustible surface underneath. That is the hard safety minimum, not the distance you actually want your seating at.

Comfortable Seating Distance

For seating comfort rather than bare safety compliance, a practical guide is:

90cm as a minimum for compact patios
120cm to 150cm for larger entertaining areas
More again if kids or pets regularly use the space

That spacing keeps everyone close enough to enjoy the warmth without sitting inside the flame's radiant zone.

Clearance From Walls, Railings and Furniture

Walls, railings and built-in structures get forgotten during setup more often than seating does. As a general rule:

Keep fire tables well away from timber railings
Avoid positioning the flame directly beside rendered walls
Leave generous space near outdoor blinds or curtains
Never place fabric or cushions against the burner edge

Heat damage happens slowly. You often will not notice a problem until timber starts warping or a once-white wall develops a faint yellow stain.

Overhead evening view of four people seated evenly around a fire table on a timber deck, demonstrating comfortable furniture spacing and clear walking areas around the fire feature.

Overhead Clearance for Covered Areas

A fire table sitting under a roof, pergola or covered alfresco area needs at least 2,000mm of clearance above the flame. Without that room, heat can build up around ceilings and roofing materials over time, even if the setup technically fits underneath.

Covered alfresco areas are common in Australian homes, particularly on the coast, so this matters more here than in a lot of overseas patio setups. It is worth checking local council rules before finalising the layout, especially in bushfire-prone regions, on apartment balconies, or under semi-enclosed structures like pergolas and gazebos. Some councils apply stricter rules to open flames near fences or overhead structures, and it is far easier to check first than to explain scorch marks to an insurer later.

Surface and Fuel Safety

A fire table setup involves more than picking where the flame looks best. The surface underneath and how you handle fuel both matter for long-term safety.

Timber decking needs a little extra attention: use a protective heat barrier underneath if your fire table sits on timber, and keep airflow beneath the unit unobstructed. Because EcoSmart fire tables are freestanding with no gas line, flue or plumbing, there is no hose run or fitting to manage, only the burner itself and the e-NRG fuel bottles, which should be stored away from direct heat and refuelled only once the burner has cooled for at least 60 minutes, using the safety nozzle rather than pouring straight from the bottle.

A couple relaxing beside a fire table on a tiled outdoor patio at dusk, with visible clearance between the fire table, seating and surrounding tropical plants.

Final Checklist

Before lighting the fire, check:

Is there at least 600mm of clearance from walls, furniture and anything flammable?
Is there 2,000mm of overhead clearance if it sits under a roof?
Is the fire table on a level, non-combustible surface?
Are combustible materials, cushions, curtains, dry plants, kept well clear?
Can guests move around comfortably without brushing against the fire table?

Get the spacing right and the fire table becomes the centrepiece everyone naturally gathers around. Get it wrong and eventually a cushion, railing or deck starts paying the price.