Thanks to LaVerne Williams, who sent us the link to the EPA's "Indoor airPLUS" Construction Specifications, we now can formulate a plan. LaVern may be the best qualified and most experienced "green" architect we have heard about but he is just one of about three a week asking the same questions about how to get Rumford fireplaces included in a LEED certified home. As you can see from the existing language on the left below, "Indoor airPLUS" somewhat arbitrarily doesn't permit masonry fireplaces or gas log sets at all but permits masonry heaters and pellet stoves without requiring any performance standards. Here are our suggestions to update and improve the specifications:

Published in January, 2009, the "Indoor airPLUS" specifications were written before the latest code language and before EPA announced it's Voluntary Fireplace Emissions Program. We therefore recommend that Section 5.2 of the "Indoor airPLUS" specifications above be updated and amended as shown on the right below:

Current "Indoor airPLUS" language on fireplaces 5.2 Fireplaces and other fuel-burning space-heating appliances located in conditioned spaces shall be vented to the outdoors and supplied with adequate combustion and ventilation air according to the manufacturers' installation instructions, AND they shall meet the following energy efficiency and emissions standards and restrictions: Masonry fireplaces are not permitted, with the exception of "masonry heaters" as defined by ASTM E1602 and section 2112.1 of the International Building Code (i.e., fireplaces engineered to store and release substantial portions of heat generated from a rapid burn). Factory-built, wood-burning fireplaces shall meet the certification requirements of UL 127 and emission limits found in the EPA Standard for New Residential Wood Heaters. Natural gas and propane fireplaces shall be power vented or direct vented, as defined by NFPA 54, section 3.3.108, have a permanently affixed glass front or gasketed door, and comply with ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33. Wood stove and fireplace inserts as defined in section 3.8 of UL 1482 shall meet the certification requirements of that standard, and they shall meet the emission requirements of the EPA Standards for New Residential Wood Heaters and WAC 173-433-100 (3). Pellet stoves shall meet the requirements of ASTM E1509. Decorative gas logs as defined in K.1.11 of NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) are not permitted. Unvented combustion space-heating appliances are not permitted. Advisory: To minimize the potential for spillage or back-drafting, fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances located in conditioned spaces should be installed in compliance with ASHRAE 62.2 (section 6.4) or by conducting a Worst Case Depressurization Combustion Air Zone (CAZ) Test according to an established protocol.

Amended "Indoor airPLUS" language on fireplaces (New language in bold) 5.2 Fireplaces and other fuel-burning space-heating appliances located in conditioned spaces shall be vented to the outdoors and supplied with adequate combustion and ventilation air according to the manufacturers' installation instructions, AND they shall meet the following energy efficiency and emissions standards and restrictions: Masonry fireplaces shall meet the provisions in Section R1001 of the International Residential Code or section 2111 of the International Building Code and meet emission levels set by the EPA in the EPA Voluntary Fireplace Emissions Program. Masonry heaters shall meet the provisions of Section R1002 of the International Residential Code or section 2112 of the International Building Code and meet emission levels set by the EPA in the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) now being developed. Factory-built, wood-burning fireplaces shall be tested and listed to the requirements of UL 127 and meet emission levels set by the EPA in the EPA Voluntary Fireplace Emissions Program. Natural gas and propane fireplaces shall be power vented or direct vented, as defined by NFPA 54, section 3.3.108, have a permanently affixed glass front or gasketed door, and comply with ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33. Wood stove and fireplace inserts as defined in section 3.8 of UL 1482 shall meet the certification requirements of that standard, and they shall meet the emission requirements of the EPA Standards for New Residential Wood Heaters and WAC 173-433-100 (3). Pellet stoves shall meet the requirements of ASTM E1509 and meet emission levels set for pellet stoves by the EPA in the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) now being developed. Decorative gas logs as defined in K.1.11 of NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) are permitted provided air-tight fireplace doors or other means are provided to prevent heated air loss up the chimney when the gas logs are not in use. Unvented combustion space-heating appliances are not permitted. Advisory: To minimize the potential for spillage or back-drafting, fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances located in conditioned spaces should be installed in compliance with ASHRAE 62.2 (section 6.4) or by conducting a Worst Case Depressurization Combustion Air Zone (CAZ) Test according to an established protocol.

Email from LaVerne Williams Feb 28, 2011 Hi Jim, Thanks for your help. Attached is the document explaining the EPA's "Indoor airPLUS" Construction Specifications for certification. Please keep me informed of any matters that will allow your Buckley Rumford fireplaces to gain approval under this program and other green building certification programs. LaVerne LaVerne A. Williams, AIA, LEED AP

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