Editorial policy

Where our claims come from

FirePitSpot draws safety, code, and health claims from primary sources wherever they exist:

• Fire code and clearance distances come from the International Fire Code and, where relevant, specific municipal or state fire marshal guidance, cited directly.
• Air quality and firewood guidance comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, primarily its Burn Wise program.
• Injury and safety statistics come from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, including its NEISS injury database and public recall notices.
• Fire pit specific safety guidance references the National Fire Protection Association's published educational materials.
• Product specifications are checked against the manufacturer's own listing at the time of writing.

Where a source could not be independently verified, or where sources conflict, we say so directly in the text rather than presenting a single confident number. This shows up most often in product comparison tables, where a certification or spec we could not confirm is marked accordingly instead of assumed.

How we choose what to cover

Topics and products are chosen based on genuine buyer questions, not solely on commercial opportunity. A page like our fire pit safety and clearance guide exists because it answers a real and common question, independent of whether it contains a single affiliate link.

How a typical guide gets built

1. Research the primary sourcesCode text, federal agency guidance, and manufacturer documentation are gathered before any writing starts.
2. Draft against those sourcesClaims are written to match what the source actually says, not rounded up to sound more definitive.
3. Cross check product specificationsWhere multiple sources report different numbers for the same spec, both are noted rather than one being silently dropped.
4. Review for balanceEvery product recommendation includes genuine drawbacks, not just strengths.
5. Publish and revisitPages are updated when code changes, a product is discontinued, or an error is identified.

Commercial relationships and editorial independence

FirePitSpot earns commissions through the Amazon Associates Program, detailed in our affiliate disclosure. That relationship does not determine which products appear in a guide, how they are ranked, or what we say about them. We do not accept payment from brands for placement, and we do not adjust a product's listed drawbacks to protect commission potential.

Corrections

When we learn that something on the site is inaccurate, out of date, or unclear, we correct it directly. Corrections to factual claims, particularly safety and code information, are treated as a priority rather than a routine content update. If you spot something that needs fixing, the fastest way to reach us is through our contact page, and we read every message.

What we do not do

• We do not publish sponsored content that is not clearly labeled as such.
• We do not accept free products in exchange for a guaranteed positive review.
• We do not fabricate personal testing claims. Where our assessment is based on specifications and aggregated owner experience rather than direct hands on testing, we say so. See how we test for detail.