DAQ Home > Stationary Source Compliance > Solid Fuel Burning Info,
New Regulations for Solid Fuel Burning Devices
(Fireplaces, Wood Burning Stoves, Pellet Stoves and Coal Burning Stoves)
Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Tooele, Utah, and Weber Counties
Winter time inversions trap microscopic particles called PM2.5 in the air. The use of solid fuel burning devices such as fireplaces, wood burning stoves, pellet stoves and coal burning stoves contributes PM2.5 emissions to the atmosphere. We cannot control winter time inversions therefore we must reduce PM2.5 emissions during inversion periods in order to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
The Division of Air Quality operates air monitoring equipment to measure the concentration of PM2.5 in the atmosphere. This information, along with weather forecasting and computer modeling is used to determine the action level for solid fuel burning devices. The following chart explains the three action levels.
New Action Level |
|
Unrestricted Action |
Wood, pellet and coal burning stoves and fireplaces may be used but please use them in a proper manner to reduce smoke emissions. |
Voluntary Action |
Voluntarily do not use wood, pellet, coal burning stoves or fireplaces. Reduce vehicle use by consolidating trips. Industry should optimize operations to minimize air pollution emissions. |
Mandatory Action |
Wood, pellet and coal burning stoves or fireplaces must not be used. Reduce vehicle use by consolidating trips. Industry should optimize operating conditions to minimize air pollution emissions. |
The three action levels affect all residents living in the following areas: all regions of Salt Lake and Davis counties; all portions of the Cache Valley; all regions in Weber and Utah counties west of the Wasatch mountain range; in Box Elder County, from the Wasatch mountain range west to the Promontory mountain range and south of Portage; and in Tooele County, from the northernmost part of the Oquirrh mountain range to the northern most part of the Stansbury mountain range and north of Route 199.
The current action level is reported twice daily to local media outlets (newspapers, TV and radio stations). You can also find the action level on our web site and register to receive free email air quality alerts at http://www.airquality.utah.gov/aqp/slc.html.
No solid fuel burning devices such as fireplaces, wood burning stoves, pellet stoves and coal burning stoves (including EPA certified units) are allowed to burn during a mandatory action period unless the device is registered as a sole source of heating for the residence with the Director by June 1, 2013.
Registration can be completed on line at http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Compliance/solidfuelburninginfo/solesource.htm, or a form will be mailed at your request by calling (801) 536-4000. Registrants are required to certify that the solid fuel burning device is the sole source of heat for the residence and authorize the Director or a representative of the Director to enter the residence for verification purposes.
Contact Information
To contact the Division of Air Quality with questions or complaints, please call (801) 536-4000 or visit the following web links:
http://www.airquality.utah.gov for general information.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Compliance/complaint.htm to file a complaint.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/aqp/slc.html for current air quality conditions and three day forecast.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Compliance/solidfuelburninginfo/solesource.htm to register a solid fuel burning device as a sole source of heat for your residence.
