Fuel heaters given approval

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 12

Fuel heaters given approval

By

KAY FORRESTER

Four more models of solid-fuel heating appliances have been given Clean Air Council approval. But not all councils in the Canterbury or Christchurch clean air zones are issuing building permits for these models because they still have to be gazetted by the Minister of Health, Mrs Clark, for use in individual local body areas. The new models are the Masport Cashmere Woodstove and three Kent models, the Sherwood LEM, the Tilefire LEM and the Logfire 2000. Five models from the Woodsman range, made by W. H. Harris, Ltd, were * approved by the Clean Air Council and gazetted for

most council areas last year. Since November 1, when a new Clean Air Council criteria for approved appliances was introduced, residents in the clean air zones have been able to legally install only the Woodsman solid fuel burners. The secretary of the Clean Air Council’s clean air zones and domestic heating committee, Mr Don Pullen, outlined yesterday the steps for an appliance to be approved. The appliance must be tested in accordance with the procedure set by the Clean Air Council. The manufacturers submit the test results to the council. The Council can then issue manufacturers and local authorities with recommendations that the

model meets the test requirements. The manufacturer then applies to the local authorities in the areas he wishes to sell the appliances. If approved by the local authority, that authority must apply to the Minister of Health for a notice in the Gazette to amend the clean air order for the area to include the new model. The Christchurch City Council and the Waimairi District Council have both applied to the Minister to have the four newlytested models gazetted. In the meantime neither council will issue building permits for the Masport or Kent models. Residents must wait two or three weeks for the gazetting.

In Riccarton Borough permits are being granted for the Masport and Kent models as well as the Woodsman range. In Paparua Council permits are available for all but the Kent Logfire, which is due for ratification by the council soon. In Heathcote County all but the Kent Logfire are being issued permits. "We have contacted manufacturers and retailers to suggest they make clear to buyers which are approved and which are not,” said the City’s senior environmental health officer, Mr Alister Whitteker. Further afield in the Canterbury clean air zone the Kaiapoi Borough follows the City lead on approved appliances. In

the borough area of Rangiora District and Eyre County, which is a clean air zone, only approved gazetted appliances are issued permits. In the wider district a much longer list of approved appliances gets permits. In Lyttelton, which is not a clean air zone, the council approves appliances on safety standards assessed by building research. Mr Pullen, who is also the regional air pollution controller for the Health Department, said the message was for people to check that the appliance they bought was approved for installation in the local authority area where they lived.