Time for Critical Chimney & Fireplace Home Inspections
Time for critical chimney and fireplace home inspections
“We educate home inspectors and home owners all year long about the necessity of chimney and fireplace inspections, and National Chimney Safety Week
increases awareness as we head into the upcoming seasonal concerns,” says Frances L. Kelly, Executive Director, Chimney Safety Institute of America and
National Chimney Sweep Guild.
CSIA’s National Chimney Safety week – September 28 to October 4 – will reach the public via media interviews and features, as well social media that
includes videos about maintaining chimneys and fireplaces. “Besides our brochure, What You Need to Know After a Chimney Fire, that we give to fire
departments, we are developing one for home inspectors so they can give it to home owners.”
Despite the ongoing news about fires through fireplace or chimney problems, many home owners do not fully understand the importance of an inspection. If
they don’t use their fireplaces, “why do I need an annual inspection?” Or, if they don’t have a fireplace, but their chimney appears O.K. and there’s no
odor or issues that would suggest a problem, why does it need an inspection?
“However,” adds Frances. “I can identify with this perspective. That is, during my last chimney inspection by a CSIA certified chimney sweep discovered
that I did have a fire in the chimney but hadn’t realized it.”
CSIA explains that from 2009 to 2011, there was an average of 24,300 chimney fires in the U.S. resulting in $30.8 million in damage. And, according to the
most recent 2010 census, 2.44 million homes used wood as their main house heating fuel.
Unfortunately, whether it’s a wood-burning fireplace collecting creosote that leads to a fire, a fireplace that can ignite even if you don’t use it on a
regular basis, or a chimney that lacks proper venting or a lining that can result in carbon monoxide threats, “our goal is to educate home owners and home
inspectors.”
CSIA’s Education and Certification
CSIA offers a variety educational opportunities through its National Chimney Sweep Training School that can lead to a Certified Chimney Sweep Credential.
They range from 6-day, in person workshops to 90-minute online sessions and will increase your knowledge and credibility. CSIA’s website offers upcoming
educational and certification possibilities: www.csia.org. CSIA’s affiliate association, The National Chimney Sweep
Guild, www.ncsg.org, promotes the success of its members.
More Resources
Fireplaces and Home Fire Safety
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/fireplace.shtm
The Facts about Chimney Fires
http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the_facts_about_chimney_fires.aspx
100 Reasons Your Fireplace Doesn’t Work
http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/100_Reasons_Your_Fireplace_Doesnt_Work.aspx
About Chimney Liners
http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/about_chimney_liners.aspx
Quick Statistics on Chimney and Wood Burning Fires
From 2009 to 2011, there was an average of 24,300 chimney fires in the U.S. resulting in $30.8 million in damage. According to the data below, 2.44 million
homes used wood as their main house heating fuel, according to the most recent census, 2010.
CSIA Background
Origin: Like-minded sweeps interested in peer-driven excellence formed the National Chimney Sweep Guild in 1977, and in 1983 out of the Guild
sprang the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Mission statement: CSIA trains, educates and certifies chimney sweeps and those interested in venting, including home inspectors, Realtors, and
firefighters. Certified sweeps are added to our zip-code locator on csia.org. CSIA also provides chimney and venting resources for homeowners while
recommending inspections, to lessen the risk of fireplace, wood stove and heating appliance use.
Interest: We had 280,000 people use our website csia.org in 2013, with over 800,000 page views – the highest totals in the 7 years we’ve been able to
track. For the first six months of 2014, we are on pace to beat last year. We believe it’s due to our message being received by the public favorably.
Chimney sweeps certified by CSIA are held to a higher standard of both performance and professional behavior than those who are not. Some of the
responsibilities and obligations of certification by CSIA include: Learning about and utilizing the chimney and venting safety practices and techniques
which are recommended by CSIA. Compliance with applicable building codes, with manufacturer’s installation instructions for products installed, and with
recognized venting and chimney practices. Educating consumers about chimney and venting safety procedures. Continually striving to update skills,
knowledge, and technique with regard to current safety practices for the chimney and venting of the fireplace. Dealing honestly and fairly with customers
and refraining from engaging in any deceptive or unfair practices. Behaving in a respectful, decent, and professional manner when serving in the capacity
as a chimney sweep.
To Read the Full Article
ASHI offers its members unparalleled resources to advance their careers. ASHI offers training for inspectors at all levels of knowledge and experience, including resources about all major home systems. Members benefit from a vast network of experienced professionals, providing a community for mentorship and knowledge sharing..
In this Issue
FIND A HOME
INSPECTOR
Professional Networking
Grow your professional network, find a mentor, network with the best, and best part of the community that’s making home inspection better every day.
