Compiled Public Comments: WBT Version 4

Water Boiling Test (WBT) Version 4

Starting in 2007, Version 3 of the WBT was evaluated and revised by a subcommittee of Engineers in Technical and Humanitarian Opportunities of Service (ETHOS) under the leadership of Dr. Tami Bond. Through electronic communication, twenty-two people from 11 countries provided input to identify and resolve technical inaccuracies and challenges in the WBT, and recommend emission testing procedures. Their efforts are reflected in the new WBT protocol “Emissions and Efficiency in a Controlled Laboratory Setting.”

The subcommittee findings fell into three groups. (1) Some of the equations yielding key performance criteria were inaccurate. These were evaluated and adjusted according to engineering principles. (2) More guidance for testers was needed to explain the uses of the test. The revised protocol now begins with such a discussion. (3) The test procedure either yielded widely varying results, or did not mimic actual cooking practice. This is one of the main challenges of any testing protocol. There is a natural tension between the reproducibility that is so important in design testing, and representing the diversity of actual practice. The subcommittee incorporated some of the changes that were suggested to enhance reproducibility. Others were identified as key differences between lab and field tests so that testers could make their own decisions. Finally, some discussions were relegated to an Appendix, because there isn’t enough technical understanding to support recommendations.

Thank you to everyone who submitted comments during our Public Comment Period for the Water Boiling Test Version 4. We received comments from 32 organizations, all of which are attached here. Additional supporting documents that were submitted are also available below. Next steps include presenting these comments to a committee consisting of stove testing experts from various organizations, who will address each issue and recommend changes accordingly. This will take place over the course of five separate webinar meetings over the next three months. Once all comments have been analyzed, the results and answers to questions posed will be posted on the PCIA website. If you have questions about this process, please feel free to contact us at moderator@pciaonline.org [1].