Industry: Approaching the EPA in 1998
The outdoor wood furnace industry is exempt from 60 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 40, Subpart AAA that applies to the indoor wood stove industry. While outdoor wood furnaces are not regulated by government emission standards, this is not the fault of the manufacturers. In 1998, Central Boiler, Inc. approached the United States Environmental Protection Agency with a request to put in a voluntary emission standard for the outdoor wood furnace industry. However, armed with their own test from US EPA report 600/SR-98/017 and because the industry was a very small part of the wood burning industry, as it remains today, the US EPA chose not to put in a voluntary emission program.

The US EPA report 600/SR-98/017 states that, "Compared to a wide range of residential heating options, these furnaces' emissions were of the same order as other stick burning appliances."


2002: Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus Forms
In 2002, 9 manufacturers formed the Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus under the HPBA (Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association). The caucus formed to address issues that affected the industry. In 2003, the caucus along with HPBA published the first Best Burn Practices for the outdoor wood furnace industry. It addressed starters, fuel use, location and stack heights in relation to the distance of residences (not served) to the outdoor furnace. The caucus supports permitting requirements, reasonable setbacks, proper fuel use and minimum stack heights.


2004: ASTM - Setting an Emission Standard
In 2004, the Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus, along with the HPBA approached ASTM, International (American Society for Testing and Materials) to create a standard test method for emissions and efficiency for the outdoor furnace industry. To develop the standard, ASTM sought out regulatory agencies such as the US EPA, state air regulators and other interested parties to participate in the development of the standard. The outdoor wood furnace industry is currently working with ASTM, International to develop a testing method by which all outdoor wood burning furnace manufacturers can test their products. The standard being developed can be found in ASTM Committee E06 Performance of Buildings, Subcommittee E06.54 Solid Fuel Burning Appliances, work item WK5982 Standard Test Method for Measurement of Particulate Emission and Heating Efficiency of Outdoor Wood-Fired Hydronic Heating Units.


EPA: New Technology Advances
While working on the standard test method through ASTM, International, the Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency on an Incentivized Voluntary Program (IVP). This will result in manufacturers producing appliances that will meet requirements of the voluntary program. The US EPA has indicated that it will announce voluntary compliance standards for cleaner burning outdoor furnaces as early as December 2006.


2006: Revised Best Burn Practices
In August 2006, the Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus and the HPBA published a revised Best Burn Practices. 


At Present
The Outdoor Furnace Manufacturers Caucus is currently working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state air regulators to create a standard test method through ASTM, International. At the same time, the caucus is working with the US EPA and state air regulators on an Incentivized Voluntary Program that will result in manufacturers producing appliances to meet emissions standards. The US EPA has indicated it will announce voluntary compliance standards for cleaner burning outdoor furnaces as early as December 2006.