Staff Report: Certified Wood Burning Appliances

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated July 12, 2018 from the Director of Protective Services titled “Certified Wood Burning Appliances” be received for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To update Council on correspondence that was received from Island Health (attached) regarding air quality health concerns due to domestic wood burning and backyard burning.

BACKGROUND:

The letter received from Island Health expressed concerns regarding the health implications of wood burning and backyard burning.

The Town of View Royal is a leader in the outright banning of outdoor backyard burning. The bylaw which prohibits any outdoor burning which includes campfires, land clearing, burning of yard waste and construction debris has been in place for twelve years.

The Town of View Royal does not inspect or regulate the installation of wood burning appliances for the purposes of heating homes. However, industry and insurance providers ensure all applicable standards are met with respect to safe installation and ensure that only certified appliances are installed.

A search of historical response data shows that the View Royal Fire Department and bylaw services have investigated three complaints in the last ten years specific to smoke generated from a wood burning appliance.

Council passed the following resolution during the meeting held November 7, 2017.

C-113-17 THAT the letter dated October 6, 2017 from Island Health, Re: Air Quality Related Health Concerns due to Domestic Wood Burning and Backyard Burning be referred to the Fire Department with a request to provide Council with information regarding the differences between certified and non-certified wood burning appliances.

DISCUSSION:

In B.C, all new wood stoves and inserts sold must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) emission standards. These emission standards also apply to wood furnaces and boilers and pellet-fueled appliances.

These certified stoves often include design features that promote secondary combustion. Most of these features are aimed at burning off the dangerous chemicals and toxic substances before they leave the firebox. This is achieved when:

• The fire has an adequate oxygen supply
• The gases coming off the fire are at high temperature and are mixed with preheated oxygen
• The gases have enough time to burn before they cool down

Non-Certified stoves may or may not include these features. They may or may not achieve the EPA or Canadian standards for wood burning appliances.

The following link may be of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-4_RDhvJw&feature=youtu.be

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated July 12, 2018 from the Director of Protective Services titled “Certified Wood Burning Appliances” be received for information.

SUBMITTED BY:

Paul M Hurst, Director of Protective Services