Appearance on the Progetto Fuoco

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Again this year, we were active for you at many fairs and events. Our heads of the laboratory were for example, four days at the Porgetto Fuoco in the beautiful Verona, Italy. We had more than 40 meetings and appointments for you.

This year, around 70 000 trade visitors and end customers visited the fair. They were able to examine the technical and design innovations of around 800 manufacturers on the 115 000 m² fairground.

Should you visit or exhibit at a fair and you are interested in meeting us and having an appointment you are welcome to contact us at  info@rrf-online.eu or + 49 208 607041-0.

New requirements for the certification of fireplaces, that are operated with combustible biomass in Italy

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As of 07.11.2017, the new regulation n. 186, passed by the Minister of the environment, in collaboration with the Minister of health and the Minister of economy and development, came into force.

It applies to small fireplaces and boilers, which are operated with biomass solid fuels.

The regulation sets requirements for the emission of particles, OGC, NOx, CO and the efficiency.

There are 5 categories of emission requirements, which are divided into stars.

The requirements can be found in detail in the following table:

Type of fireplace Particles

(mg/Nm³)

 OGC

(mg/Nm³)

 NOx

(mg/Nm³)

 CO

(mg/Nm³)

 N (%)
5-Stars
Open fireplaces 25 35 100 650 85
Inset appliances 25 35 100 650 85
Roomheaters 25 35 100 650 85
cookers 25 35 100 650 85
Slow heat release appliances 25 35 100 650 85
Heating appliances fired by wood pellets 15 10 100 250 88
Boilers 15 5 150 30 88
Boilers fired by wood pellets 10 5 120 25 92
4-Stars
Open fireplaces 30 70 160 1250 77
Inset appliances 30 70 160 1250 77
Roomheaters 30 70 160 1250 77
cookers 30 70 160 1250 77
Slow heat release appliances 30 70 160 1000 77
Heating appliances fired by wood pellets 20 35 160 250 87
Boilers 20 10 150 200 87
Boilers fired by wood pellets 15 10 130 100 91
3-Stars
Open fireplaces 40 100 200 1500 75
Inset appliances 40 100 200 1500 75
Roomheaters 40 100 200 1500 75
cookers 40 100 200 1500 75
Slow heat release appliances 40 100 200 1250 75
Heating appliances fired by wood pellets 30 50 200 364 85
Boilers 30 15 150 364 85
Boilers fired by wood pellets 20 15 145 250 90
2-Stars
Open fireplaces 75 150 200 2000 75
Inset appliances 75 150 200 2000 75
Roomheaters 75 150 200 2000 75
cookers 75 150 200 2000 75
Slow heat release appliances 75 150 200 2000 75
Heating appliances fired by wood pellets 50 80 200 500 85
Boilers 60 30 200 500 80
Boilers fired by wood pellets 40 20 200 300 90
Every fireplace that does not reach the requirements for 2-Stars, will be categorized as 1-Star.

The requirements mentioned in the table above are based on 13% O2.

The compliance of the value requirements needs to be proven by a document, the so-called “Certificato Ambientale”. The manufacturer can order this document, directly from us. We generally issue the “Certificato Ambientale” bilingually (English-Italian).

 

There is also a new requirement with regard to the state funding “Conto Termico 2.0”. Due to the fact that several contradictory documents have been submitted to the competent body, an official document of an accredited testing laboratory is required, which confirms compliance with the value requirements for “Conto Termico 2.0”. The manufacturer can also order this bilingual so-called “Rapporto Sintetico” (English-Italian), directly from us.

Of course, the RRF is an accredited laboratory for both the abovementioned Regulation as well as for “Conto Termico 2.0”. If you have any questions or interest, feel free to contact your personal contact or one of our employees.

Christmas campaign 2017

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This year’s christmas campaign, the RRF supported three different institutions and associations: The children’s hospice “Balthasar” in Olpe, the children’s home “St. Josefshaus” in Essen and the SC Drolshagen.

With the children and youth hospice we support a very important institution, which offers a place of retreat for seriously ill children and their families. It supports families after a diagnosis of a serious illness. The little time left to the children in their young life should be filled with joy, laughter and happiness.

The children’s home St. Josefshaus has the goal, through intensive support and based on a Christian image, on the basis of qualified and differentiated, pedagogical and therapeutic concepts, to enable the here living kids, life their life in self-employment, with a meaning and as a member in today’s society.

It is important for the RRF to continue the support of sports clubs in these days, so that team sports do not perish. Promoting team spirit is an important feature for the RRF and is gladly supported.

Flamme Verte Laboratories Meeting

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On 16.11.2017, the second official Flame Verte Laboratories Meeting took place in Paris at the Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables. There were important topics on the agenda related to the Flame Verte Recognition. Also, the contract between Syndicat of Energies Renouvelables and the test laboratories was revised, the “Charte des Flamme Verte” for the manufacturers was presented and the procedure for the so-called “Performance Tests” and round robin tests were discussed. For you, we, as on of the leading laboratories, have contributed to the above-mentioned topics with our professional competence and our Know-how.

All in all, the label’s representatives place a high focus on the quality and compliance with emission requirements, not only in the “Entry Test” on the test bench, but also in the fireplaces in the ongoing production. In the coming years, regarding the ECO-Design guideline 2022, there will be further tightening on the requirements for manufacturers.

E.F.A. – Technical meeting in Varna

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On 17. – 19. October 2017 interested members as well as guests of the E.F.A. – European fireplace association met for the autumn meeting in the premises of Pertinger GmbH/Srl in Varna in the beautiful South-Tyrol.

During the meeting on 18.10.2017 various lectures were held:

Among others, our CEO Mr. Christian Droll gave a lecture about “Energy Labelling of local space heaters”. The positive feedback during the meeting showed how relevant this topic is. Our team at the RRF will gladly inform you about current topics and will be available, as contact even after the meeting. (info@rrf-online.eu / Tel. +49 (0) 208 60 70 41 – 0)

Other topics were the presentation “company cooperation and cartel ban”, as well as an interesting and detailed factory and company tour of Pertinger GmbH/Srl.

For the first time guest of the E.F.A. were invited to the general annual meeting on 19. October 2017, so they could get an interesting view in the information and internals.

The next meeting will take place on 03./04. May 2018 in Erfurt. The technical meeting will provide interesting presentation program again – of course, guest are  welcome. More information for anyone interested will be provided directly at the office of E.F.A. e.V. – Tel. +49 (0) 261 100 40 67 or mail@efa-europe.com

Notifizierung

Technical approval as testing, monitoring and certification body for chimneys, air-exhaust-systems, particle colector and further construction products

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With the notification of 26. September 2017 from the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik, the RRF is officially approved for further building products. Since we established ourselves on the marked being a testing, monitoring and certification body, we incorporated further important construction products into our portfolio: including room-sealed flue gas collectors both for solid fuels and liquid fuels, exhaust heat exchanger, catalysators, particle interceptor as both chimneys for houses and freestanding chimneys, air-exhaust-systems (LAS) exhaust gas lines and component parts of exhaust systems.

Of course, we offer you our competent service and technical knowhow for these building product groups like usual. We would be pleased to make you an offer about the testing or external control and certification of the above-mentioned product groups. Our staff is always available for your queries.

Energy Labelling of local space heaters

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The regulation was published on 21.07.2015 in the official journal of the European Union and officially came into force on 10.08.2015. This directive applies to every local space heater up to 50 kW. The requirements mentioned in the directive apply for every local space heater, that is no solid fuel heater without or with an open exhaust gas control starting 01.01.2018. For every construction product from 01.01.2022 on. The regulation as well as the framework regulation can be found under the following links:

Regulations are legally binding without additional legal transposition in the member states. Just the establishing of appropriate authorities or market authority and eventually national law, that are affected by this regulation.

Duties of the manufacturer

  • For every local space heater inside the scope, the manufacturer needs to provide the retailer with printed and electronic versions of the label according to (EU) 2015/1186.
  • As well as a printed and electronic version of a product fiche. For example, it can be placed inside the product brochure or other product literature. The label and other additional information need to be provided, so that the retailer is always able to give the customer the significant information.
  • Upon request, a technical documentation has to be delivered to the commission or the authorities of the member states.
  • Measurements and calculations need to be done according to the harmonised standards and technical specifications.
  • The manufacturer is solely responsible for the creation of the label and labelling.
  • On sale, the label must be visible on the frontside of the product.

Duties of the retailer or at point of sale

  • Product-related advertisement or technical advertising material needs to reference the energy efficiency class.
  • The label and the significant material must be provided with the product fiche if a product is not visible to the customer, while marketing (e. g. in-stock product).
  • The label and product fiche do not have to be delivered on the product or “inside the box/outer packaging”.

Calculation and classification of the label

EEI = (ns,on * BLF) – 10% + F(2) + F(3) – F(4) – F(5)

Where:

  • ns,on is the seasonal space heating energy efficiency in active mode, expressed in %
  • ns,on = nsth,nom is the useful efficiency at nominal heat output, based on the lower NCV.
  • BLF is the biomass label factor
    • for biomass local space heaters: factor = 1,45
    • for fossil fuel local space heaters: factor = 1
  • F(2) is a correction factor accounting for a positive contribution to the energy efficiency index due to adjusted contributions of controls of indoor heating comfort, the values of which are mutually exclusive, cannot be added on top of each other, expressed in %;
  • F(3) is a correction factor accounting for a positive contribution to the energy efficiency index due to adjusted contributions of controls for indoor heating comfort the values of which can be added on top of each other, expressed in %;
  • F(4) is a correction factor accounting for a negative contribution to the energy efficiency index by auxiliary electricity consumption, expressed in %;
  • F(5) is a correction factor accounting for a negative contribution to the energy efficiency index by energy consumption of a permanent pilot flame, expressed in %.

Energy efficiency class of local space heaters

The European Commission has provided a useful tool for the creation of the label on their website http://eepf-energylabelgenerator.eu. This is not a guidance for the calculation of the label, but rather helps you with the correct format and the print ready version of the label.

Exceptions from this label

  • Art. 1 (a – j)
    • e.g. sauna ovens, air heating products and solid fuel local space heaters, that were not factory mounted or prefabricated components or parts, from the same manufacturer, delivered to the place of assembly.
  • Used products. As far as they were not imported from a third country (EU) 2017/1369 Art. 1 (2) a
    • Re-sale of exchanged goods (if used)
    • Repaired products, if not significantly changed or that got a new warranty / guarantee (complete overhaul)
  • Except outlet or b-goods, because they are not used beforehand

Obviously, this information is only a brief summary of the core statements of the regulation. Further requirements can be found in the regulation in the above-mentioned link.

Should you have any further questions about the calculation or creation of the label or any other topics like internet marketing, product fiche or the technical documentation, we can create an offer about consulting for you.

Positive response to RRF Christmas Action 2016: RRF supports roterkeil.net

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The RRF team is very pleased with the great positive feedback. The action has been advocated both medially and has also generated positive resonance through social media.

 

Link to the Blogpost: Link

Conto Termico 2.0

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Since May 2016, a subsidy for fireplaces was granted by the Italian government.

The total allowance amounts to 900 million € per year. In order to receive this subsidy as a private individual, an old room heater has to be replaced by a new one. The old room heater has to be brought to a specialist retailer, together with photos and documents. . This must be documented and registered at the GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici). The newly acquired room heater must have an efficiency of > 85% and meet the requirements of DIN EN 13240.

Formula for the calculation of the grant:

Ia tot = 3,35 * In(Pn) * hr * Ci * Ce

Explanation:

Ia tot: annual subsidy for a max. of 2 years

Pn: nominal heat output from a type test according to EN 13240

Hr: hours of heating relating to the location (by region)

Ci: typology of the product

Typology of the product Ci-factor for room heaters with a  nominal heat output of  ≤ 35kWt
Room heater for burning wood 0,040 (€/kWht)
Pellet stove 0,040 (€/kWht)

Ce: Particulate-emission-coefficient

Particles (PM)  

Ce
(mg/Nm3 related to 13% O2)
30 < Emissions ≤ 40 1
25 < Emissions ≤ 30 1,2
Emissions ≤ 25 1,5

Example:

A room heater with an efficiency of 85%, at 6 kW nominal heat output, particles under 35 kW, particulate emission of 35 mg/m3 and sold in Bozen (f-zone) may be granted an annual subsidy of:

3,35 * In(6) * 1800 * 0,04 * 1 = 432.17 €  * 2 years = 864,34 €  total subsidy

RRF goes “green”

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Climate change, limited resources and rising energy prices force to make actions. New environmental regulations from politics and the wish from many companies for more sustainability promote a change for more energy efficient solutions.

Modern lighting technology helps to significantly reduce electricity consumption while at the same time improving the lighting quality on a sustained basis.

Therefore, we from the RRF have made our way. Towards a low energy, environmentally friendly and long term cost effective variant lighting supply by ways of LED lighting in our laboratory in Oberhausen.