IRVINE, Calif. - Tropitone Furniture Company opened the Preview Market at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago last month by announcing the expansion of its table program with the introduction of fire pits.
"For the past few years, end user customers, designers and distribution partners have urged Tropitone to develop fire pits," said Tom Keddy, director of product management. "We have been cautious and patient about entering the space until we could do it in a 'uniquely Tropitone' way. We have incorporated fire pits as integral parts of our table program. The new models are beautiful, functional and coordinate with our current product offering. But most importantly, safety was designed into each model and each model has been certified by an independent agency."
The design allows for the combination of one of four table top designs with one common base in multiple finishes. The fire pits include four of the Tropitone brand's most popular table top designs: 55" Round Spectrum Cast Aluminum; 55" Round Garden Terrace Cast Aluminum; 54" Round Banchetto Aluminum; and 48" Square Banchetto Aluminum. Each fire pit will be shipped fully assembled and include table top, base and burner system.
Each of the table tops is assembled with a common Square Chat Height Base (30"W X 30"D X 25"H). Two doors provide interior access to burner system controls and propane tank. The propane tank sits securely in a commercial-quality aluminum drawer structure that slides out smoothly via durable extension slides to facilitate easy tank exchanges. The fire pit can be finished with any of the Tropitone brand's 18 powder coat colors.
The burner system produce a wide range of heat output peaking at 90,000 Btus. This range of output provides the user with versatility for variations in outdoor temperature and activities. The burner system utilizes a pilot flame that ignites the main burner. The pilot flame can be lighted automatically with a push of the built-in igniter switch or manually with a match or other ignition device. The pilot flame is lighted and the output of the main burner is adjusted with the simple push-to-turn valve system knob conveniently located on the base. The built-in igniter switch is located next to the valve system knob.
Various media for fire pit burner pans are readily available in the marketplace and can be used with Tropitone brand fire pits. Tropitone will stock American Fireglass Bronze Reflective as available media for burner pans and can be ordered separately.
Product safety is always the top priority for Tropitone. "From day one our fire pit designs included appropriate safety features and our schedules included the time required for proper certification by an independent agency," said Richard Rivera, VP of engineering. "All products include a blow out box that houses a pilot flame that heats a thermocouple and lights the main burner. In the event the pilot flame blows out for any reason, the thermocouple automatically shuts off the flow of gas to the main burner. To re-light the fire pit, you simply go through the original lighting procedure. Gas will not flow again to the main burner until the pilot flame is re-lighted and the thermocouple re-heated."
"Although we are a casual furnishings company, several of us at Tropitone have had extensive professional experience with fire and heat products," Rivera added. "We understand the protocols required to ensure that fire products marketed under the Tropitone brand must be designed to be as safe as reasonably possible and listed by an independent agency when appropriate."
Fire pits manufactured by Tropitone have received a listing from ICC Evaluation Service, LLC (ICC-ES) of Whittier, Calif., providing evidence that the fire pits meet code requirements. Building officials, architects, contractors, specifiers, designers and others will utilize the ICC-ES PMG (Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas) listing to provide a basis for use of Tropitone brand fire pits under ANSI Z21.97-2010, Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliance, Listing Number PMG-1114. The products have also been evaluated under the applicable International Codes published by ICC. The ICC-ES PMG program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute. The program operates under ISO/IEC Guide 65, "General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems."
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Tropitone is recognized throughout the casual furniture marketplace for its product design leadership and commitment to service and value. The company was named 2011 Manufacturer of the Year by the International Casual Furnishings Association. Commercial products are sold to multiple customer segments including hospitality, multi-housing, clubs and cruise ships. Consumer products are marketed through specialty retailers & designers. Products are marketed under the Tropitone, Basta Sole and Tropitone MODA trademarks.
