After lengthy discussion and debate regarding fireplace emissions, the committee decided that it was inappropriate to include the Washington standard or test method for fireplaces in the model ordinance because both appeared inadequate. In addition, there appear to be, at present, no available technologies to significantly reduce emissions from open fireplaces. Because the committee wished to leave the door open for cleaner fireplaces, it decided that model ordinance would allow fireplaces certified by EPA, should EPA develop a fireplace certification program. EPA does not yet have a test method or certification program for fireplaces. These restrictions on new woodburning devices imposed by the model ordinance would be enforced by the building department of a locality adopting the model ordinance.
All localities already require a permit for such an installation.
The ordinance would simply require a person to provide additional documentation that a device to be installed is one of the allowed devices. Note that these requirements would not be enforceable by a building department and would require a locality to establish some other enforcement mechanism. These could be treated as optional provisions. It would not address installations of new woodburning devices, which would be left to the model ordinance. At the first tier, which would be triggered when the District forecasts that particulate matter levels will approach the federal PM standard, restrictions would be voluntary.