*The National Center on Accessibility does not sell, promote or endorse any of the following products. For your convenience we have compiled this information to be used as a resource. Products listed may or may not meet accessibility standards or recommendations. It is important to check design specifications of products. This review is not comprehensive. It is additional information relative to our product presentation. We change and update our presentations on a regular basis. For more detailed information please contact the NCA at (812) 856-4422 Voice, (812) 856-4421 TTY or nca@indiana.edu.

 

Product Review

Fire Rings

A fire ring.

The emergence of the Outdoor Developed Areas Report submitted by the Regulatory Negotiating Committee for Outdoor Developed Areas has brought the issue of campsite accessibility to the attention of many campground managers throughout the country. Among the features that will soon be required to be accessible within a campsite is the site furniture. The focus of this article is on one of the most common and most used pieces of site furniture, the fire ring/cooking surface.

The report recommends that a fire ring have a minimum height of 9 inches above the ground. It also requires that a cooking surface be installed between 15 inches and 34 inches above the ground. In addition to the recommendations of the Outdoor Developed Areas Report, there are several features that can enhance access for people with disabilities:

• The method used to remove the cooking grate from the fire ring so that the inside of the ring can be accessed is important. Some methods that use a height adjustment notched system require much more physical effort than a hinged system such as the one shown in the photograph above. Some individuals with disabilities may not have the ability to expend large amounts of physical effort needed for the notched system.


• The weight of the cooking grate is important. A lighter cooking grate will allow a wider range of people with disabilities to manipulate the cooking grate.


• A good heat-exchange system that allows the outside of the fire ring to remain cooler and prevent possible burns is an excellent feature. Some individuals with disabilities lack the sensory functions in their extremities that warn against the threat of being burned. A double walled chamber such as the one in the photo is a good choice.

Call NCA for more information: 812-856-4427

 

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