What fire safety rules apply to decks near houses in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick follows the National Building Code of Canada and the National Fire Code of Canada for fire safety near residential structures, which require minimum clearances between combustible deck structures and property lines, and impose specific restrictions on open-flame features like fire pits, which must be positioned at least 3 metres from any structure. Understanding these rules protects your home, your neighbours' property, and your family.

The fundamental fire safety concern with decks is that they are almost always combustible construction. Even composite decking, which resists ignition better than wood, is mounted on pressure-treated lumber framing that will burn. The National Building Code limits how close combustible construction can be to property lines, typically requiring a minimum of 1.2 metres unless the wall or structure facing the property line has a fire-resistance rating. For attached decks, the deck is considered an extension of the house for fire code purposes, which means it must comply with the same spatial separation requirements as the house itself. If your deck extends closer to the property line than your house, you may need to provide fire-rated construction on that face, which is impractical for most deck designs.

Fire pits are the most common fire safety issue on New Brunswick decks. The 3-metre minimum clearance from structures applies to any open-flame device, including portable fire pits, chimineas, and fire bowls. This 3-metre distance is measured from the edge of the fire to the nearest combustible surface, which includes the house wall, deck railings, pergola posts, and overhead structures like awnings or tree branches. A fire pit placed on a deck surface with railings on multiple sides almost never achieves 3-metre clearance from all combustible surfaces. Gas fire tables with covered burners and controlled flame heights are a safer option for on-deck use, provided they maintain required clearances and have a CSA-approved shutoff valve. Wood-burning fires should never be placed directly on a deck surface, as radiant heat through the bottom of even a raised fire pit can ignite the decking material beneath it.

Barbecue placement follows similar logic. New Brunswick fire departments recommend keeping gas and charcoal grills at least 3 metres from combustible walls and overhangs. Many homeowners position their grill against the house wall for convenience, but this creates a direct fire exposure to the siding, soffit, and potentially the attic space above. Grease fires from barbecues are among the most common causes of residential fires in the province during summer months. A dedicated grilling area at the far edge of the deck, away from the house and any overhead structure, is the safest configuration.

The space beneath decks creates a unique fire vulnerability that is often overlooked. Dry leaves, debris, and stored materials under a deck provide fuel, and the enclosed space acts like a chimney once ignited, directing flames upward against the house wall and into the soffit. Keeping the area under your deck clear of combustible storage and debris is one of the most effective fire safety measures you can take. Some homeowners install non-combustible skirting using fiber cement board or metal panels to reduce the risk of embers or flames reaching the under-deck space.

For new construction in wildfire-interface areas of New Brunswick, particularly rural properties in forested regions, additional fire-smart construction principles apply. These include using fire-resistant decking materials, maintaining defensible space around the structure, and ensuring the deck does not create a pathway for ground fire to reach the house.

Electrical safety on decks connects to fire prevention as well. All outdoor electrical outlets on or near decks must be GFCI-protected, and any outlets or fixtures within 1.5 metres of the deck must be weather-rated. Overloaded extension cords powering string lights and entertainment systems are a common ignition source on decks. Dedicated outdoor-rated circuits installed by a licensed electrician are far safer.

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