PFI Pellet Fuel Standards: A Look Back and the View Forward

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PFIPelletFuelStandards:ALookBackandtheViewForward

StephenFaehner,AmericanWoodFibersPFIAnnualConference2016GroveParkInn,Asheville,NC

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HistoryofPFI’sStandardsProgram

•  Standardsoriginallyadoptedin1995

•  Redevelopmentstartedin2005

•  Updatedstandardswerereleasedin2008

•  ComprehensiveStandardsprogramlaunchin2011

•  Severalrevisionssince-mostrecently2015

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PFI’sStandardsProgram-Purpose

•  ProvidethecerRfiedfuelreferencedinEPA’sNSPSforcerRfyingpelletburningappliances

•  ProvidethecerRfiedfuelrequiredtobeusedbyconsumersinallcerRfiedpelletburningappliances

•  IncreasetheconsistencyandqualityofpelleRzedfuelthroughouttheindustry

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HistoricalQualityIssueswithPelleRzedFuels

•  Qualityclaimsonthebagdonotnecessarilyreflectwhatisinthebag

•  Variableperformanceevenwithinthesamegrade

•  Inappropriatematerialsareshowingupinpellets

•  Thereisnowheretoreportnon-compliantproductorunethicalpracRces

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PFI’sProgramDocumentsh[p://www.pelletheat.org/pfi-standards

•  PFIStandardSpecificaRonsforResidenRal/CommercialDensifiedFuel

•  PFINorthAmericanCerRficaRonSystemforResidenRal/CommercialDensifiedFuel

•  PFIResidenRal/CommercialDensifiedFuelQA/QCHandbook

•  AccreditaRonBodyResidenRal/CommercialDensifiedFuelEnforcementRegulaRons

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PFIQA/QCHandbook-Includes•  ResponsibiliRes•  Training•  DocumentaRon•  Records•  ManagementofChange•  RawMaterialControl•  Equipment&OperaRng

processes

•  QA/QCTesRng•  ThirdPartyInspecRon&

Monitoring•  InspecRonCriteria•  Re-inspecRonCriteria•  NonConformance•  Storage/Handling/Delivery•  Labeling

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PFI’sResponsibiliRes

•  Issue/Maintain/Promotethestandards•  Pursuestechnicalresearchtoimproveuponthestandards

•  ContractsandmonitorstheaccreditaRonbody•  MaintainsawebsiteregistraRonofallcompliantparRes

•  PursuesanymisuseofthecerRficaRonmark

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PFI’sCerRficaRonMark•  Displayedonfrontlowerthirdofthebag•  AddiRvesmaynotexceed2%byweight

(typemustbestated)•  Materialclassmustbestated•  HigherheaRngvaluedstatedas-received

andmustreflectaminimumBTUguarantee–verifiedbyaudit

•  Manufacturersmayprovideotherguaranteesaslongastheirclaimsaredemonstratedthroughaudit

(e.g.AshContentAs-Received:<0.50%)

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KeyBenefitsofStandardsProgram•  FuelmanufacturersfollowprescribedqualitymanagementpracRcesassuringgreaterconsistencybetweensimilarlylabeledproducts

•  CerRficaRonMarkclearlyidenRfiescerRfiedfuel

•  ProvidesthreegradesbutallowsmanufacturerstoprovideaddiRonalguaranteesiftheirqualityreliablyexceedsgradestandards

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Premium,Standard&URlityGrades

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ManufacturesBenefitofStandardsProgram

•  Providesstructureandstandardizedtestmethods

•  ThirdpartyverificaRonthroughanaccreditedaudiRngstructure

•  ProvidesaregistraRonsystemforallcompliantenRRes

•  Reducedqualitycomplaints

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PFIQualifiedProducersStats

•  26QualifiedFaciliRes

•  15FuelManufacturers

•  2.67MillionTonsofProducRonCapacity

•  CoveragefromCoasttoCoast

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HowCanRetailersGetInvolved???

•  LearnhowtorecognizefuelthatiscerRfied–  VerifythatPFI’sCerRficaRonMarkisonthebag–  VerifythattheproducerisregisteredwithPFI’sStandardsProgram

–  h[p://pelletheat.org/pfi-standards/what-are-the-pfi-standards/

•  Ifyouseenon-cerRfiedproducersusingthemarkorothermarksdecepRvelysimilarpleasereportthemtoPFIimmediately

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Ques&ons?

PelletFuelsInsRtute703-522-6778

[email protected]