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Sources of pollution

Rules for domestic fires

Because of the possible effect on our health, there are rules in place to control the type of domestic fires you can install, and how these fires must be operated.

There are two main sets of regulations that control domestic fires in the Auckland region:

ALL domestic fires must comply with the rules laid out in these documents. If a fire does not comply, it is not allowed and cannot be installed.

Rules for domestic fires installed after 1 September 2005

Quality Management Area Property Size (in ha)Domestic Fire Rule 
Rural AreaGreater than or equal to 2haDomestic fire permitted
 Less than 2haWoodburner MUST meet particle emission rate of <1.5g/kg and a thermal efficiency of >65% (NES)
 Less than 2ha Other domestic fires permitted
Urban/Coastal/Industrial AreaGreater than or equal to 2haALL domestic fires MUST meet particle emissions rate of <4g/kg (PARP: ALW)
 Less than 2ha Woodburner MUST meet particle emission rate of <1.5g/kg and a thermal efficiency of >65% (NES)
 Less than 2haALL domestic fires MUST meet particle emissions rate of <4g/kg (PARP: ALW)

Note: Multifuel heaters, open fires, heat recirculating open fires and coal fires are unlikely to meet a particle emissions rate of even <6g/kg.

Find out which Air Quality Management Area you are in by checking the Proposed Air Land Water Plan Map series 1 or Map series 1A

Airfacts 10: Rules for Domestic Fires & Woodburners (237.8 KB PDF)
 
For a list of approved wood burners, please visit the Ministry for the Environment.

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