Construction of a Fire Pit Ring
There has been an increase in the number of people constructing a fire pit ring around their homes or camping sites for leisure purposes. The choice of material used in such projects is dependent on the financial impact it will have on the overall project. Many people, therefore, choose cheaper but most effective materials for construction. The ring makes the pit stable as well as increasing its ability to sustain a fire for log hours before it goes out.
I am interested in this project because of its neat appearance, solid construction and it is very easy to build. The procedure for constructing the project is so clear that there is no room for guesswork. Secondly, mild steel, which is the main material that I will use in the project, is cheaper to attain than other forms of steel (Black, 12). Mild steel can withstand high levels of heat during the welding process. Besides, it is easy to weld which ultimately reduces the amount of time required to complete the project. I am generally interested in this project because of its low cost, the materials to be used are readily available, and it has a simple construction process.
The equipments that I currently hold for the project include Varimat V2, COMMET and TWINNY that would be used for surface topography. I also have tools such as nozzles, TRIAC AT, as well as pressure roller. I also have in my possession safety equipments such as welding helmets, gloves, aprons, and protection packs. Preferable equipments include but not limited to fume extractor, arc welders and plasma cutters and Lincoln electric.
Material requirement list
The materials to be used for the project include:
A fire pit ring which is made from mild steel. Mild steel is also referred to as Plain carbon steel and is the most used type of steel. The properties of mild steel depend majorly on the amount of carbon contents it contains but mostly contains less than one percent of carbon with fewer contents of sulpher, silica, and manganese. Its nature makes it viable for use in the construction of products such as car bodies, kitchen appliances, and industrial beams (Kalpakjian and Shmid 17).
The properties of mild steel make it the best choice for this project. The strength of mild steel is directly proportional to the amount of carbon it contains. The strength increases with the increase in carbon from 0.01 to 1.5 per cent in the alloy. However, this strength decreases with an increase in carbon content beyond 1.5 per cent. The decrease reduces the ductility and malleability of the steel (The World Book Encyclopedia 116).
Its weldability is determined by its hardenability that is further dependent on its composition especially the amount of carbon it contains. Steels that have a carbon content of less than 0.3 percent are relatively efficient to weld than those with content beyond 0.5 per cent. Other materials that have an influence on the hardenability of steel include manganese, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, nickel, and silicon (The World Book Encyclopedia 6). Finally, mild steel is also the most popular form of steel for this project because of its low price and yet it provides materials that are used for various applications. Other materials to be used in this project include:
- A 9ft radius pipe
- A pair of grates
- Fine sand
- Bricks for making a fire pit wall
The material specification for the project is as outlined below:
- The measurement for the Firebox is 36-1/8” long x 31-3/4” deep x 10-1/8.”
- The mild steel to be used in draining the hole is 3/16” thick.
- The pair of grates would be constructed separately from o.5” diameter with A36 steel bars situated on 1-1/8” centers. The grates would be capable of adjusting from 5” to 14” above the fire bed and back to allow for cleaning.
- The grates contain a fire point of 630 square inches for a total of 1040 sq. inches.
- Grate handles are constructed from 5/8” dia.
- All the joints are continuously welded while all the exposed corners are kept blunt for safety purposes. Non-toxic powder coat would be used as a standard finish for the fire pit.
Financial aspect of the material
Time Estimation
I estimate that I will need at least 48 hours to complete the project. I will stick out the plan of the fire pit ring to enable me to visualize its size, and structure. I will spend twenty-four hours for site assessment to ensure that the site is safe and healthy enough for the project. I will also use this period to seek the construction permit from physical planning and fire department. The next six hours would be used for site preparation (Sharma and Lewis 3). The fire pit is supposed to be situated in a stable and non-combustible base like compacted gravel the paving stones would be cut into shape to allow drainage towards the compacted granular base rather than in the surrounding paving stones.
I will spend the next three hours to weld the mild steel ring for the project. I will use BOC Mild Steel MIG Wire, which has been recommended for use in the welding of mild steel. It offers the best and most efficient choice for steel construction, sheet metal applications, and pressure vessel fabrication as well as in structural welding. Arc welding is another welding technique that can be used on mild steel (The World Book Encyclopedia 13). The steel is heated with an electric arc usually with Alternating Current (AC). The current is supplied on an electrode holder coated with flux. The workpiece is connected to the welding machine via an earth cable, which provides a return path for current. Welding takes place when the tip of the electrode is tapped against the work piece creating an electric arc (Sharma and Lewis 586). The resultant high pressure is normally reaching 6000oC. The temperature produces a molten pool forming a joint.
Twelve hours would be spent on the project construction where the rig would be inserted into the pit. Since the pit has a circular shape, I will choose from Ncolock’s Circle kits to establish elegancy around the pit. I will place all units together to form a circle whose radius is 9-ft. I will create a circle by driving a pipe with similar radius deep and at the center of the units. I will make sure that both the interior and exterior sides of the wall are plumb to maintain the radius of the circle (Knowles 10). The process would be followed for all the courses until I get to the height that I want. I will insert the fire ring into the wall stone center in a manner that ensures it fits properly into the pit. I will then fill the pit with graded stone or sand to its bottom. I will use the final three hours for testing the project and repairing the areas that seem out of place with the project.
Mistake proofing for the project would be carried out during all stages of project implementation. The welds will be checked throughout where mechanical tests would be conducted to ensure that no error is committed (The World Book Encyclopedia 10). I will perform a visual inspection and destructive testing to determine the reliability of the welding on the project. The two methods provide the cheapest, the fastest, and the easiest way to verify the quality of the welds before the rings are finally inserted in the pit. Adequate pressure must be exerted on the screwdriver during the test to identify any defects in the welded seams. In the case of any defect, the weld would be restored using hot air gun and roller. I will also ensure that all parts and materials available and secure enough to perform the task.
I will take necessary safety measures to ensure that none of the people working at the site is affected during the project fabrication (Brady, Clauser and Vaccari 16). I will ensure that welding helmets are worn at all times and any alteration or modification to the hat is forbidden at all times. Safety glasses shall be worn at all times as a bare minimum to ensure eye safety for all workers at the site. During such processes as grinding and jack hammering, additional eye protection devices such as mono-goggles and face shield will be worn. No worker will be allowed at the site when he or she is under the influence of alcoholics. To this extent, firearms, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs will not be tolerated around the site. However, if a doctor prescribes the drugs, the supervisor must be informed before such drugs get access to the construction site. Any worker who violates these regulations will have his contract terminated. A fire extinguisher will be placed not further than 40 feet away from the site. These would be among the safety measures that will be enshrined in safety policy manual and must be adhered to by all workers at the site (Black 22).
The estimated value for the project runs to hundreds of dollars with materials costing over $255. There is no financial gain I will be getting from implementing the project because it is purely for recreational purposes. Therefore, it is obvious that the cost analysis results will be against the implementation of the project. I would still however carry out the project despite the cost analysis discouraging it. I will, therefore, not consider the financial benefits I may accrue from the project, but rather the comfort and happiness that the project will bring to my family.
Work Cited
Amstead, B., Ostwald P., & Begeman M, L. Manufacturing Process, John Wiley Publication
Singapore, 1987. Print.
Black, T., & Kohser, R. Materials and Processes in Manufacturing, 10th edn. John
Wiley & Sons Inc, United States of America, 2008. Print.
Brady, S., Clauser, H., and Vaccari, Materials Handbook (14th ed.). New York,
NY: McGraw, 1997. Print.
Kalpakjian S., & Shmid, S, R. Manufacturing Engineering and
Technology. Prentice-Hall, Upper saddle River, New Jersey, America, 2008. Print.
Raghavan, V. Material Science and Engineering. Prentice-Hall edition of India, New Delhi,
2001. Print.
Sharma, D., and Lewis, S. Waste Containment Systems, Waste Stabilization and Landfills,
New York, NY: J. Wiley and Sons, 1994. Print.
The World Book Encyclopedia, “The world Book Encyclopedia,”
Iron and Steel, 1992, l10, pp. 386-402. Print.
Knowles, P. Design of Structural Steelwork (2nd ed.), Taylor & Francis,
1987. Print.
