30 November 2006

STATUS REPORT AND SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES OF

ASTM TASK GROUP E6.54.05 ON MASONRY HEATERS

I. Introduction

This report serves as a summary of the activities of the ASTM E6.54.05 task group on masonry heaters over the last several years. It is also a tool to identify current needs and actions to be taken.

Many individuals have been involved as members of the task group over the years. Participation has fluctuated from year to year, but the primary participants of the ASTM E6.54.05 task group are identified as:

Albie Barden, Maine Wood Heat Co., Inc., 207-696-5442, mwhcoinc(at)prexar.com

Jim Buckley, Buckley Rumford, 360-385-9974, buckley(at)rumford.com

Rick Curkeet, Intertek, rick.curkeet(at)intertek.com

Jerry Frisch, Lopez Quarries, 425-353-8963, lopezquarries(at)verizon.net

Douglas Hargrave, Mid-Atlantic Masonry Heat, 434-979-9709, dhargrave(at)viginiaradiant.com

John LaGamba, Tempcast, staywarm(at)tempcast.com,

Walter Moberg, Moberg Fireplaces, 503-227-0547, wmoberg(at)mobergfireplaces.com

Ben Myren, Myren Consulting, 509-685-9458, bmyren(at)plix.com

Bill Reynolds, Solutions to Healthy Breathing, 907-479-0518, William(at)alaska.net

Timothy Seaton, Timely Construction, tseaton(at)timelyconstruction.com

Norbert Senf, Masonry Stove Builders, 819-647-5092, mheat(at)heatkit.com

Christine Subasic, C. Callista Subasic, 919-845-2683, CSubasicPE(at)aol.com

Paul Tiegs, OMNI, 503-643-3788, paultiegs(at)omni-test.com

Juha Turunen, Tulikivi US Inc., 831-236-2931, juha.turunen(at)tulikivi.fi

John Voorhees, OMNI, 503-643-3788, jvoorhees(at)omni-test.com

Rod Zander, NEHS, 860-491-3091, rod(at)rodzander.com (task group chairman)

This task group is part of the larger E6.54 subcommittee on solid wood burning appliances. Other active members of the E6.54 subcommittee are:

Dan Henry, Hearth+Home Tech., henryds(at)hearthnhome.com

David Menotti, PWSP for HPBA, david.menotti(at)shawpittman.com

Tom Stroud, HPBA, stroud(at)hpba.org

John Crouch, HPBA, crouch(at)hpba.org

John Kinsey, EPA-NRMRL, Kinsey.john(at)epa.gov

Michael Toney, EPA, toney.mike(at)epa.gov

Peter Westlin, EPA, westlin.peter(at)epa.gov

II. History

The ASTM E6.54.05 task group was formed over 20 years ago to develop a standard for construction of masonry heaters. That standard guide, E 1602, was first published in 1994. Regular updating required by ASTM meant that in 2000 the standard had to be reevaluated, balloted and submitted to keep current.

This was accomplished through a policy of finding common ground and making changes/corrections to items agreed upon. Items of contention were continued to later meetings, i.e. no action was taken on issues that were too divisive. This procedural method is the way the task group has functioned.

Efforts to limit the use of wood burning devices based on emission has led to the need for an emissions test method suitable for masonry heaters. Current scale-based methods in the U.S.A. and Canada are not appropriate or applicable to masonry heaters. Furthermore, there is not an established fuel crib for masonry heaters. Thus, the need to develop a test protocol and firing crib specifically for masonry heaters/fireplaces was identified.

Development of a fuel crib and firing protocol

R. Zander wanted to use the procedures ASTM already had in place: call for papers for firing protocols, fuel cribs, efficiency and emissions needed from world wide sources to tap any historical or current information. This was the foundation for the research process and the focus of the October 2001 task group meeting; currently contains 82 documents, available on-line thru MHA website. Objectives identified included:

Definition of a masonry heater - “Defining Masonry Heaters – A Discussion Paper,” by N. Senf, 1997. P. Tiegs, OmniLabs, offered to write a definition of a masonry heater using thermal performance as a defining factor. Subsequently has been balloted, not finalized.

Define a test fuel crib – After reviewing the existing research and standards, the decision was made to use a dimensional lumber crib rather than cord wood for reasons of repeatability and availability. Many meetings were held hammering out minutiae. A lab, Omni Labs, was hired to draft the current fuel crib protocol. C. Subasic , PE , former MHA Administrator and Brick Institute of America staff engineer during original development of the E1602 standard, hired to coordinate process and develop working documents. Still currently under development.

See Timeline of ASTM E6.54.05 task group on masonry heaters (attached) for further details of past activities.

Work by manufactured fireplace task group

In 2003, manufactured (factory-built) fireplaces and outdoor hydronic boilers, working with HPBA, realized they needed to “clean up their act” or they would be legislated out because of federal and state air regulations. The HPBA organized an ASTM task group to develop a consensus standard on emission testing for these devices. This ASTM task group, with the support of HPBA, working with EPA staff to establish testing methodology for manufactured fireplaces. A sampling method using a dilution tunnel has received preliminary approval, pending approval of a fueling protocol. EPA has expressed the desire to have masonry heaters utilize the same emissions test method.

III. Goals to Accomplish (ASTM)

During the work on development of the fuel crib several specific goals were identified:

Establish a dimensional lumber fuel crib that approximates emissions and combustion from cord wood based on historical data.

Develop Test Methods for: Emissions, Efficiency, Safety (i.e. clearance to combustibles)

The work to date has included testing to establish a fuel crib that replicates a cord wood burn. Many revisions have been made, but a final crib has not been confirmed yet. Recent testing (Fall 2006) at OMNI Labs using a Swedish heater have shown good correlation to historical data. Draft methods have been developed for testing emissions and thermal efficiency. Both have been balloted, though neither is yet complete. The emissions test method developed by the fireplace task group is a dilution tunnel method that can be used to measure emissions of masonry heaters built in a laboratory. However, since it is a difficult and extremely costly task to build masonry heaters in the lab for testing, the task group is still exploring other methods for testing emissions for masonry heaters outside of a laboratory environment.

IV. Financial

The work of the task group has involved the use of paid consultants and laboratory testing. ASTM is a consensus, voluntary, dues paying organization whose members also contribute to the work of the task group through in-kind donations. The expenses associated with the administration for drafting documents, consultants, research and testing, have exceeded $59,000.00 to date. See Table 1.

Table 1: Receipts and Spending by ASTM E6.54.05 Task Group

R&D Donations		Testing Donations		MHA Operating Fund Donations
2002	0	2002	0	2002	0
2003	15,670.00	2003	10,000.00	2003	1,734.33
2004	3,575.00	2004	0	2004	7,810.06
2005	700.00	2005	265.00	2005	7,941.07
2006	0	2006	0	2006	7,916.35
Total	19,945.00	Total	10,265.00	Total	25,401.81
Total donations received: $30,210.00				Add’l. MHA funds used: $25,401.81
Total Monies Received: $55,611.81

R&D Expenses		Testing Expenses
2002	8,559.26	2003	2,745.00
2003	8,845.07	2004	5,000.00
2004	11,385.06	2005	755.00
2005	8,641.07	2006 to 11/7/06	1,500.00
2006 to 11/7/06	6,916.35	2006 to 11/7/06	6,300.00
Total	44,611.81	Total	16,300.00
Total Expenses incurred: $60,911.81

* Note: Outstanding balance of $5,300 for testing expenses to be paid in 2007 when monies are received.

The primary source of funds for these activities has been the Masonry Heater Association of North America (MHA), of which several task group members are members. Between January 2002 and October 2006, MHA has spent over $19,000 on the work of the ASTM task group. Donations were also solicited by MHA from MHA member companies, as well as industry businesses and trade organizations.

In addition $100,000 was spent in 1990-93 on a study to develop a fueling and testing protocol for masonry heaters and masonry fireplaces at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI). This money came from the Fireplace Manufacturers’ Caucus of the Wood Heat Alliance (now HPBA), the Brick Industry Association and Western States Clay Products Association, and was administered by MHA.

Presently, MHA has exhausted all funds available for this program. Fundraising or grants will have to be secured in order to continue. In addition, in-kind support from task group member companies is needed to secure the necessary testing to confirm the proposed fuel crib and test method.

V. Importance of Work

The need for development of a fuel crib and emissions test method for masonry heaters is driven by efforts of the Federal Government, state governments and the EPA to establish new regulations on air quality and emissions. Masonry heaters have previously been excluded or exempted from testing and the ability to be certified. This approach is not seen as a viable one in the future, because of the trend toward using only “EPA-certified” devices. However, EPA does not plan to certify appliances other than those currently certified (wood stoves). Thus EPA has acknowledged the need for a different way to measure the emissions of other devices including masonry heaters, pellet stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor hydronic boilers, because they don’t fit in the current regulations. This has led to the need to establish a method approved by EPA for emission testing of masonry heaters.

EPA mandates already exist for air quality, with designated non-attainment air sheds required to clean up the air. Recommended Available Control Measures (RACM) and Best Available Control Measures (BACM) lists identify the best ways for states to clean up the air. The task group has identified inclusion of masonry heaters on the RACM and BACM lists as a primary goal.

In addition, EPA has stove change out program to replace poor performing devices with clean burning ones. The task group is presently working to include masonry heaters on list of recommended devices for change outs.

VI. Activities with EPA

In September 2005 the members of the ASTM task groups on masonry heaters and manufactured fireplaces met with EPA in Raleigh , NC . At this meeting M. Toney and J. Kinsey (EPA technical staff) expressed their agreement on the testing procedures developed by the manufactured fireplace task group. The intention is to require masonry heaters to follow the same procedures. The method proposed by the manufactured fireplace task group is a modified dilution tunnel for testing.

At the same time J. Kinsey stated that the masonry heater group has a very mature technology. Unlike the manufactured fireplaces, masonry heaters are already clean burning, and are not likely to need improvements in technology. M. Toney and J. Kinsey reviewed historical data on emissions contained on MHA website for technical merit and applicability and found it acceptable. As a result, EPA has agreed to add references to masonry heaters on their wood-burning website.

In addition, during the same period the masonry heater task group met with six people from the Office of Air Quality Management, another administrative arm of EPA. The task group, led by R. Zander, presented information on what a masonry heater is, how it works, and historical data on emissions. The task group also asked for recognition, acknowledgement, and credibility from EPA because masonry heaters cannot be EPA-certified (like wood stoves), even though they are clean burning. Task group members asked that masonry heaters be included in the “RACM and BACM” lists and in the stove change out options. Previously Gil Wood (EPA-OAQPS) had offered to write a letter to say that masonry heaters are clean burning. Karen Blanchard stated that with agreement of EPA technical staff, such a letter might be possible, perhaps based in part on the emissions data on masonry heaters found in the EPA AP-42 and the data on the MHA website.

VII. Current Activities and Future Work

Currently efforts of the ASTM task group on masonry heaters are focused on verifying the proposed fuel crib and firing protocol. B. Reynolds has conducted some testing with cord wood and the proposed dimensional lumber crib in Alaska . The task group hopes to validate the proposed crib and correlate the results with cord wood through this testing, but has not yet reviewed the results. Reynolds is working with Myren and Tiegs to accomplish his testing.

Based on activities at the April 2006 meeting, the task group has funded the construction of a Swedish style masonry heater at OMNI Labs. This heater is of the same design as one of 5 heaters that were included in the EPA-audited testing in the 1990’s. Preliminary test results look promising. The task group also plans to construct an Envirotech unit at OMNI Labs to further correlate the historical 5-heater test data with the pending ASTM dilution tunnel sampling method.

The next meeting of the ASTM masonry heater task group will be March 17-18, 2007 , in Reno , NV in conjunction with the HPBA Expo. In addition, a working group is planning interim conference calls to ensure testing is going as planned.

VIII. Summary of Goals

Preservation of the ability to custom build heaters is a primary goal. Whatever methodology is developed, the goal is to ultimately test a family of design parameters to allow for customization, without testing of each variation of a unit. This is critical.

Establishment of a dimensional lumber fuel crib that approximates emissions and combustion from cord wood based on historical data.

Development of Test Methods for: Emissions, Efficiency, and Safety (in order of importance)

Emissions testing driven by the need for a different way to measure the emissions of devices including masonry heaters, pellet stoves, fireplaces, and outdoor hydronic boilers, that don’t fit in the current regulations

Inclusion of masonry heaters on the RACM and BACM lists.
M. Toney and J. Kinsey to review historical data on emissions contained on MHA website for technical merit and applicability. è This initial review has been completed and EPA has agreed to include masonry heater on their website.
Inclusion of masonry heaters in stove change-out program.
Letter from EPA acknowledging the clean burning nature of masonry heaters as equal or better than that of wood stoves.
Fundraising or grants will have to be secured in order to continue. In addition, in-kind support from task group member companies is needed to secure the necessary testing to confirm the proposed fuel crib and test method.

TIMELINE of ASTM E 6.54.05 task group on Masonry Heaters

October 2001 – Dallas – Workshop on Masonry Heaters and Development of Fueling Protocol

Review of U.S. and international efforts on measuring emissions and testing protocol. Discussion of use of cordwood versus dimensional lumber cribs for testing purposes.

April 2002 – Anaheim , CA -

Review of CEN Standard. First fueling protocol ballot discussed. Review of testing by Frisch using balloted fuel load ratio (too high). Round robin testing requested to determine loading (pounds per cubic foot of firebox).

October 2002 – Norfolk , VA

Review of second firing protocol ballot. Concerns with how to measure firebox, firebox height. Reviewed round robin fuel size results. New loading ratio recommended. Changes to figures in E1602 discussed.

March 2003 – Nashville

New ballot for classification of masonry heaters and masonry fireplaces based on thermal efficiency, which included firing protocol, was reviewed. Opposition to efficiency of fireplaces led to vote to remove references to masonry fireplaces from all future documents. Revisions to figures in E1602 discussed and voted upon.

October 2003 – Tampa , FL

Report on initial meeting with EPA in April 2003 (introduced OAQPS to masonry heaters). E1602 Ballot on revisions to figures passed with no negatives or comments. Thermal performance ballot reviewed (still concerns with how to measure). New standard practice developed for test-fire fuel cribs (replaces fueling protocol) reviewed. Still issues with fuel load ratio, how to measure firebox. Separate standard for emissions proposed. Solicitation of funds from masonry associations reviewed. Approximately $25,000 pledged or received to date.

March 2004 – Anaheim , CA

Reviewed ballot for test-fire fuel cribs. Revisions to figures, calculations, ordering of document, definition of hearth area, etc. Cost of further testing to verify fuel load ratio discussed. Formation of new task group on masonry fireplaces announced.

April 2004 – meeting with EPA Staff at Research Triangle Park , NC

Presented EPA with development of fuel crib and firing protocol thus far, including photos of heaters, etc. Reviewed outline for test method for emissions. EPA staff M. Toney and P. Westlin added to E6.54.05 email distribution list. Discussed how might add masonry heaters to BACM and RACM lists.

October 2004 – Washington , DC

Reviewed test-fire fuel crib ballot. Still issues with fuel load… calculations too complex for most to do. Need for more testing acknowledged again. Work of manufactured fireplace task group confirmed that cribs more reliable, repeatable than cordwood. Need for more funded discussed - grants discussed as one option. Changes to IRC and IBC language on masonry heaters discussed. Decided to table further work on emissions document until fireplace task group has a draft.

February 2005 – Atlanta

G. Wood from EPA attended and discussed their voluntary wood smoke reduction program (stove change outs). Agreed to add link to MHA website. EPA wants one emissions method that will work for all devices with their own firing protocol. Offered letter from OAQPS on masonry heaters. Reviewed test fire photos from Myron. Reviewed fuel size calculation software from OMNI. Task group agreed to change fuel size to 2x4 and 4x4 instead of larger sizes cut down. Reynolds outline Alaska testing program and opportunities for fuel crib to be used. One grant proposal has been submitted but not awarded.

September 2005 – Raleigh , NC

Met in conjunction with task group on manufactured fireplaces. Discussion focused on what they had done and strategies for masonry heaters with EPA. Met with EPA staff and reviewed work to date on fuel cribs. EPA indicated verification of cord wood and crib wood should be done to ensure similar results. EPA acknowledged masonry heaters as “mature technology” that would likely not need improvement (already clean burning). EPA to review existing data from MHA website to develop formal opinion on masonry heaters.

April 2006 - Toronto , Canada

Task group decided to send letter to EPA advising of plan for testing and soliciting input. Plan for testing to include two units from the 5-heater EPA-audited tests in 1992. Swedish (Royal Crown) unit and Tulikivi KTU2100 chosen based on availability. Planned testing to include sampling using the ASTM dilution tunnel method, the AWES system, and the Condar with simultaneous sampling. Crib draft was reviewed, as were the more recent drafts of the CEN draft standard for masonry heater testing and the Austrian calculated heater design method.

October 2006 – Atlanta , GA

Reviewed test plan with EPA staff and subsequently revised which units to be used in testing. EPA is looking for a wide range of unit sizes. As a result, a decision was made to test the Envirotech instead of the Tulikivi KTU2100. Initial test data from testing of Swedish unit at OMNI Labs shows good correlation with historical data. Task group decided to go forward development of a summary/white paper of historical test data to be included with test reports from current testing. Task group also discussed funding sources for planned testing.