South Frontenac to Look at Outdoor Furnace Regulations

Craig Bakay | Feb 22, 2017

South Frontenac Council instructed staff and the Planning Department to look into regulating outdoor solid fuel combustion appliances (ie outdoor wood-burning furnaces) following a report from Fire Chief Rick Chesebrough at its regular meeting Tuesday night in Sydenham.

In his report, Chesebrough cited an incident Feb. 13 where his department along with the CAO, Chief Building Official and the Ministry of the Environment all received calls from a Portland resident complaining of smoke from a neighbour’s outdoor furnace entering the resident’s house.

Subsequent similar calls were received on Feb. 14 and 15.

Chesebrough said that on the evening of Feb. 15, “a 911 call was placed stating ‘house full of smoke, occupant having difficulty breathing’; the fire department responded and provided first aid and notified ambulance to respond.

“There were zero readings in the house, however there was a smell of smoke.”

Chesebrough said the owner of the furnace has installed an extension on the chimney of the furnace in an effort to alleviate the problem and a meeting between the MOE and township staff has been scheduled for Feb. 24 to further discuss the issue.

He said that under the laws governing fire departments, there isn’t much he can do as the furnace was installed legally and to the manufacturer’s specifications.

“I’m recommending the Planning Department draft a bylaw to regulate how these appliances are used and the Building Department create a permit system similar to the wood stove permit system to incorporate into our existing fees bylaw,” Chesebrough said.

“I don’t remember many of these incidents coming up but they’re not unique,” said Coun. John McDougall, adding that he was familiar with the houses in question. “I support the idea of a bylaw but it won’t be retroactive so it doesn’t rectify this situation.”

“I wonder if there isn’t a bigger issue as to these (furnaces) being installed at all,” said Coun. Brad Barbeau. “What with the price of oil, gas, and heating in general, perhaps some provincial lobbying might be in order.”

In response to a question from Coun. Mark Schjerning, Chesebrough said the MOE indicated that they did have some powers in these matters. He added that this particular unit was also used to heat water and that these systems in general can cost $10,000-$20,000 with $1,000 for copper piping alone.

Mayor Ron Vandewal said “we’ve been through this before and a lot of regulations have been suggested, like set backs which meant I couldn’t have one of these on my 100-acre farm.

“If you’re going to restrict these units then you’ll have to look at bungalows that have wood stoves because some of them don’t have chimneys higher than 10 feet.”

Solar panels at arena
Council gave its approval for staff and the arena committee to look at the possibility of solar installations at the arena, following a notice of motion from Coun. Ross Sutherland.

Sutherland said the idea of whether it would be a rooftop installation or a ground installation hasn’t been determined as yet.

“Just keep in mind that roof is 40 years old,” said Dep. Mayor Norm Roberts.

“I’ll support it because I notice the word ‘consider’ is in there,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “We’ve ‘considered’ it before and there’s still nothing there.”