CHOOSING THE RIGHT WOOD FIRE
New Zealand has a comprehensive air quality plan with strict rules for wood burning heaters to ensure people and ecosystems have clean air now and into the future. This means where you live affects which wood fire you can install. Some regional councils may have their own air quality plans and regulations that are more stringent than the National Environment Standards (NES), addressing specific local issues. This guide is designed to help you understand what regulations apply to your local region. The information provided in this website is general in nature and subject to change, therefore should be used as a guide only. Please contact your local council prior to purchase and installation of your Scandia wood fire, or wood fired appliance, for further information and to ensure your unit compliance with local regulations.
What’s the difference between Clean Air, LEB, ULEB & Rural wood fires?
Selecting a wood fire for your home begins with understanding the air quality requirements specific to your region. The Ministry for the Environment has put nationwide Air Quality Standards in place.
National Environmental Standards (NES) for Air Quality
In New Zealand, the NES for indoor wood fires is referred to as the Clean Air Standard – tested to AS/NZS 4012 & 4013. It guarantees a minimum level of health protection in New Zealand by setting a limit on the amount of particulate matter a wood fire can produce on a property of less than two hectares. On a property greater than 2 hectares, it’s most likely that no standard needs to be met – regional exceptions do exist, so refer to your regional councils for guidance. Wood fires that fit this category are often not tested and are referred to as Rural Fireplaces – or where fireplaces with results exceeding 1.5g/kg are classified
Additional Air Quality Standards
Environment Canterbury also has two additional standards, that fireplaces can be certified to:
• LEB – Low Emissions Burner Standard – tested to AS/NZS 4012 & 4013
• ULEB – Ultra Low Emissions Burner Standard – tested to ECAN CM1.6
Always check with your local council prior to the purchase, for what classification of wood fire you can install.
*Tested to ECAN CM1.6