Semco Blue River Fire Pit User manual

Share outdoor evenings
with family & friends around
Semco’s Natural Stone Fire-Pit.
Gather around the glow.
For many, an evening spent outdoors wouldn’t be complete without hot chocolate,
roasted marshmallows, and a crackling log fire. Our beautiful Blue River and
Cedar Ridge Fire-Pits bring warmth and ambience to your own backyard.
Take a vacation any time, without leaving the comfort of your own home.
The Semco Fire-Pit can add flare to your backyard in any season. In the spring,
it can serve as a planter and can be converted into a fish pond, water garden or
beautiful fountain during the late days of summer.
Pictured above
Cedar Ridge 48” Fire-Pit
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The 29” & 48”
Semco Fire-Pit Kits
Include:
1 - Steel Fire Ring
29” has 15 - 5”H x 9.5”D Caps
48” has 18 - 5”H x 10”D Caps
Blue River Caps have a thermal finish top,
while Cedar Ridge Caps are sawn.
29” has 30 - 5”H x 7.5”D Blocks
48” has 36 - 5”H x 8”D Blocks
* Note: Semco Fire-Pits can be mortar set.
Semco recommends the use of a professional
mason for such installations.
Recommended Tools
& Materials:
• Level
• Rubber Hammer
• Shovel
• Fire-Retardant Vermiculite
or River Sand
• Crushed Limestone
• RG Techni-Seal Adhesive
(optional)
• Caulk Gun
Semco Fire-Pits are 15” tall.
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Pictured above, Blue River 48” Fire-Pit

Semco Fire-Pit Installation Guidelines
This guide is designed to provide general information for the installation of Semco Fire-Pits. It is not
recommended to install Semco Fire-Pits directly on top of any concrete, paver, or masonry surface without
the use of fire bricks as a base. Directly exposing these surfaces to excessive heat may cause cracking
of the surface over time. For best results, install the Fire-Pit prior to laying a patio or remove the existing
surface where the Fire-Pit will be installed and prepare the base as directed below.
Cap
Steel Fire Ring
Tamp Up
& Down
1”Sand Gap
Step 5
56”or 76”Diameter
4”Deep
Step 1
Cap with
approx.
2”overhang
Caps Flush
Steel
Fire Ring
1”Sand
Gap
Step 4
Step 1 - Surface Preparation
The rst step is to prepare the surface. First shovel out a base area to create an aggregate leveling pad, lled
with a compactible base material (Crushed Limestone). The pad should be at least 4” deep & extend at least
6” beyond the base course* of stones. The 29” Fire-Pit leveling pad will be 56”(4’8”) in diameter. The 48”
Fire-Pit leveling pad will be 76”(6’4”) in diameter. The gravel should be level and compacted tight.
*Course is the term used for each row of stone.
Alternating
Joints
Outside Edges
Touching
Base
Course
Second
Course
Step 3
Step 5 - Filling the Sand
After you have secured the caps and allowed plenty of time for the adhesive to dry. The next step is
to pour sand in the gap between the Steel Fire Ring and the blocks. Semco recommends using
fire-retardant Vermiculite, which will not burn and is a great insulator. However, clean river sand will also
work as an insulator. Pack the sand using a tamp (such as a broom stick). Let the sand settle and then
top off the sand repeating the tamping step.
Outside
Edges
Touching
6”Aggregate
Leveling Pad
Steel Fire Ring
1”Sand Gap
Natural Stone
Blocks
Step 2
Step 4 - Installing the Caps
After you have stacked and secured the base and the second course of natural stone blocks the next step is
to install the caps. The caps will overhang the natural stone blocks by approx. 2”. Again, you need to stack
ALL of the caps to make them t before you use any adhesive. After ALL the blocks have been shifted &
ajusted so they t, you can secure the caps with the RG Techni-Seal Masonry Adhesive. You may need to shift
or adjust the last few pieces of stone to make them t together, the caps should t ush against each other.
Step 3 - Stacking & Securing the Second Course
Before you start stacking the second course of stone, clean any debris off the top of the stone blocks so they
will be level. You can now start stacking the second course of stone blocks. It is critical to alternate the joints
so each joint is centered over a single block. You should stack ALL of the stone blocks & make sure they ALL
t accordingly before you ever secure any blocks with masonry adhesive, (optional). Semco recommends RG
Techni-Seal Masonry Adhesive when installing the re-pit kit. This is the best adhesive to secure the stone
blocks. After ALL the blocks have been shifted & adjusted so they t, you can start applying the adhesive
between the two layers according to the manufacturer’s directions. Again, you may need to shift or adjust a
few pieces of stone to make the outside edges t together.
Step 2 - Base Course
29” Fire-Pit has 15 blocks/caps per course, 48” Fire-Pit has 18 blocks/caps per course
Now place the Steel Fire-Ring in the middle of the leveling pad. It will serve as a guide for laying the stone. After
the Steel Fire-Ring is in the desired position, pour a
1
/
2
” - 1” thick layer of sand at least 8” wide around the
outside of the ring. Compact the sand tight. The most important step in the installation process is to make
sure the aggregate & sand are level before you ever begin laying the stone. Place the natural stone blocks
approx. 1” away from the outside face of the Steel Fire Ring to leave room for pouring an insulator of sand.
The outside edge of the stone blocks should be tight against each other. Make sure the stone blocks are in full
contact (ush on the bottom) with the leveling pad. It is critical to use a level to make sure the base course of
stone is perfectly level. You may need to shift or adjust the last few pieces of stone to make the outside edge
t together. There is no need to cut the stone blocks.
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2009 by Semco Stone
The pictures below are for illustrative
purposes to help demonstrate some
of the critical steps throughout the
Fire-Pit installation process.
As with all open fire equipment, basic safety precautions should be taken with the Semco Fire-Pit:
• Never use this Fire-Pit on a combustible surface such as a wooden deck.
• Fire-pits are intended for outdoor use only. Do not use indoors.
• Fire-Pits burn wood logs only. Do not burn leaves, or other
combustible material.
• Never leave the fire unattended. Keep children and pets at a safe distance.
• Have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose handy while the fire is going.
•Never start or maintain a fire in strong winds.
•Use a safety screen when children are nearby & conditions are dry.
Never use near flammable or combustible materials.
•Never use an accelerant (such as gasoline) or any other combustible liquid
with a Fire-Pit.
• Fire-Pits should be installed within a safe distance away from any homes
or buildings.