CPSC Staff Sends Draft NPR on Generators to Commission

A November 2 decisional meeting is slated for CPSC members to consider a draft notice of proposed rulemaking to address carbon monoxide incidents from portable generators. The October 5 briefing package (bit.ly/2d6NDA8) outlines performance requirements for different power generators. Verbatim (SI = spark ignition) staffers suggested:

• "A handheld generator is a generator powered by an SI engine with displacement of 80 cc or less; it may not exceed a weighted CO emission rate of 75 g/hr.

 

• "A class 1 generator is a generator powered by an SI engine with displacement greater than 80 cc, but less than 225 cc; it may not exceed a weighted CO emission rate of 75 g/hr.

 

• "A class 2 single cylinder generator is a generator powered by an SI engine with one cylinder with displacement of 225 cc or greater, up to a maximum engine power of 25 kW; it may not exceed a weighted emission rate of 150 g/hr.

 

• "A class 2 twin-cylinder generator is a generator powered by an SI engine with two cylinders with a total displacement of 225 cc or greater, up to a maximum engine power of 25 kW; it may not exceed a weighted emission rate of 300 g/hr."

Two voluntary standards projects currently are targeting CO emission rates, one by the Portable Generator Manufacturers' Association (PSL, 9/12/16) and one at UL (PSL, 8/2/16).