Masonry Magazine December 2011 Page. 21
By Tim O'Toole
MCAA's Favorable EPA Ruling
Wood-burning fireplaces is one method that could be used to reduce wood smoke emissions. Included in the Phase 2 Qualified fireplace list is a site-built, cinder block-and-brick masonry fireplace. Its inclusion means that mason contractors, dealers and manufacturers may continue to participate in new fireplace construction, even as emission standards expand to new areas across the country.
In the early part of 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided not to pursue the inclusion of masonry site-built fireplaces in the rewriting of the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) for new residential wood heaters.
The EPA had been advocating regulation of emissions on all masonry site-built fireplaces constructed in the United States. This would have been a major change from the original NSPS, published in 1988, that exempted fireplaces. The MCAA worked with the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and other interested parties to educate EPA representatives about the masonry site-built market and the implications of regulating that market.
A key component in the EPA's decision was the agreement of the MCAA to develop an educational series on the proper construction and use of masonry site-built fireplaces to be used in the Masonry Certification program.
Gil Wood, EPA staff lead for the NSPS, indicated that the EPA was encouraged by the MCAA's willingness to add courses on masonry site-built fireplaces to the Masonry Certification curriculum, and looked forward to its development and implementation.
The EPA also cited the questionable cost-effectiveness of site-testing every fireplace built and the extent to which small business masons would be affected as reasons to not include masonry site-built fireplaces in the most current draft of the regulation.
Tim O'Toole is the director of marketing, education and IT for the MCAA.
The Whitacre Greer MFR-100 Series fireplace is a site-built, EPA Phase 2 Qualified fireplace with tested emissions of 4.3 g/kg. It uses Clear Skies Unlimited catalytic technology to exceed the emission standard. The technology is completely passive. It requires no external power and is invisible to the homeowner. MFR-100 Series fireplaces are constructed with cinder blocks, firebricks, refractory mortar and a clay flue liner, purchased from local masonry dealers.
A list of EPA Phase 2 Qualified fireplaces and links to air quality agencies throughout the United States are on the EPA Burn Wise website, www.epa.gov/burnwise. IMAS
Colby DeHoff is VP of sales and marketing for Whitacre Greer Co. He can be reached at CDehoff@wgpaver.com.
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