PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TEST METHOD FOR FIREPLACE PARTICULATE MATTER AND CARBON-MONOXIDE EMISSIONS

Progress in the development of a test method for determining carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate (PM) emissions from fireplaces is described. Such a method must specify fueling and measurement procedures for determination of both emission rates (g h-1) and factors (g kg-1). The current version of the test method starts with a room temperature fireplace and monitors emissions for six and a half hours. The fuel load size and fueling intervals are dependent on the width of the firebox. Emission samples are extracted from a dilution tunnel with a set flow rate and configuration. Particulate matter sampling is similar to U.S. EPA Method 5G for woodstoves, and CO concentration is measured by a nondispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer. Emissions from a range of fireplaces, including both factory-built and masonry fireplaces, were measured using various versions of the test method. The fueling protocol was not able to sustain a fire in some of the fireplaces. Modifications to the fueling protocol, fuel composition, and/or fueling rate scaling will be necessary before the test method can be used for fireplace emissions certification purposes.