1. Commercial-grade imaging equipment. There’s a difference between our products and disposable consumer electronics.

2. We fix what we sell. Chim-Scans® are made by hand here in Iowa.

3. We offer upgrades on older equipment. 

4. Two reference guides: Chimney Scanning & Inspection Guide and Interior Chimney Scanning.
5. Chim-Scan® Factory-Trained Technician Program™. 

6. The Flue & Hearth Notes™ for documentation and reporting.

7. Easy-to-understand product manual with a quick-start guide.

8. A book targeted specifically for realtors.

9. We promote our customers by providing your name and contact information to the American public when asked.

10. We provide an active website with information, videos, and the latest innovations.
11. When you call, the phone is answered by a live person. 

12. We offer 40 years of experience in equipment building, 110 years of combined industry experience in-house, and reliable equipment that 8 people in Iowa build. 
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​In the early 90s, the only rods available were the fine thread screw-together fiberglass and the Euro-type thick threaded rods. We soon found that the camera's weight and the scanning method (people were turning the rods in multiple directions) caused the rods to unscrew and the rods and the camera to tumble down the chimney. We devised a locking rod at about the same time as the Button-Lok™ rods. We became the first two locking chimney rods on the market.

Our Kwick-Lock™ rods are based on an air hose fitting that many people are familiar with. We made 5 ft rods just like everybody else until late 1999 when Tom was invited to scan a chimney in Japan after a structural fire. The previous year, he had gone with his family on a sister cities trip, and the people remembered him and what we did. 

The problem was that you couldn't fly with 5-foot rods, and they realized that everything had to fit in a single suitcase since flying to Japan was not cheap. Tom figured out that if he could cut the rods down to 30 inches, they would fit perfectly inside the bottom of his suitcase, and he could fly without any problems (TSA loved him!). 
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When he arrived at the house, he brought his rods, unpacked them, and started connecting them. He realizes he is not fighting with the rods as much as he's used to. While trying to figure it out, he scans and explains his findings to the Japanese via a translator. He then realizes he's not fighting with the rods because they're shorter. The distance from where his hand was holding the rod from the firebox floor to the smoke chamber is approximately 30 inches, give or take a few.   He came back home to Iowa and started with his fireplace and some friend's fireplace to figure out if 30 inches was still good. After testing, sending sample rods to industry friends, and asking for feedback, “Is it just me?”  He soon found out it wasn't just him. When people started using the rods, they found that they weren't having the same struggle they had with the longer rods. There wasn't as much pressure on their shoulders, and they weren't beating up their camera as much. Life became much easier when scanning and using the rods to clean chimneys, all because Tom had to fit a whole set of chimney rods into a suitcase. 

​I recently read that people spend much of their spare time on smartphones and the internet. Hey, with so much information and entertainment, why pick up a book or learn a new hobby when you can watch someone else in an app? The desire to discover, learn more, understand, and be the best is diminishing. Instead of scanning the entire flue, searching every crack and joint, the inspection often stops at the vertical crack in the flue tile. It’s like a “good enough” mentality. When it comes to chimneys, if defects are missed, is this ever “good enough”? It seems that we, as an industry, are failing the American Public.
Insufficient or poor-quality information
I’ve been sent reports from homeowners all over the US. They are concerned, and from these reports I’ve seen, they have a right to be. Some of these reports have been from industry “leaders.”
In these reports, confusion is woven into many of the inspection reports I’ve received. Some contain a multitude of pages (up to 20+). Some have paragraphs on some pages, and several pages later, the corresponding image sits surrounded by other images. Connecting the paragraphs with the photos is impossible in the homeowner's eyes. In addition, I’ve picked up on some defects from the pictures not mentioned in the report and incorrect information in the report.
Some sweeps still use the old single fireplace with checkboxes from almost four decades ago. The customer wonders what a fireplace form has to do with their oil boiler and gas water heater. Then there’s NFPA 211 Chapters 14 and 15, along with the inspection items, which aren’t listed on these old forms. 
 Some reports contain technical jargon and scary words like condemned, house fire, death, etc. The customers don’t understand what’s going on. They feel pushed and aren’t sure where to turn to get their questions answered. Sometimes, a competitor straightens them out. Other times, they find us online and send us copies of their reports. This is a credibility wrecker within this industry. 
Customers won’t buy something they don’t understand.
Customers who don’t understand why they need a repair may get a second opinion because the report is weighted in technical jargon and scare tactics. It’s essential that the customer understands the defect first and then is presented with a solution written in an easy-to-understand manner. That’s called solution selling. Present the defect so the customer understands the problem. THEN, present the solution, which usually sells itself. Customers feel better because they “get it,” they are making an informed decision, and aren’t pressured by threats such as “Your house will burn down.”
No unity of inspections
In 1998, a group of chimney specialists created Chapters 14 and 15, including the Levels of Inspection and the inspection items in the NFPA 211 Annex. The goal was to eliminate confusion about chimney inspections and streamline the industry. This created the chimney industry Standard of Care. Unfortunately, not all chimney inspection technicians use this information, even today, 25+ years later. 
Imagine if each airline pilot's prep before a flight with 250 people wasn’t standardized with an industry-standard preflight checklist. Some might take shortcuts. Others will take a long time to check everything. But no one would be on the same page. This lack of coordination historically resulted in accidents. When there is no consistency, problems arise. This is happening in our industry.
The future of our industry depends on unity, particularly chimney inspections. This was the goal in 1998, which was the thorn in everyone’s side).
If our industry continues to ignore the Levels of Inspection and not follow the requirements set forth in NFPA 211 Chapters 14 & 15 and items in the Annex, it will not end well. Usually, this happens with litigation. It is already happening. It’s called failure to report. That’s also in NFPA 211. NFPA 211 Chapters 14 & 15 are now case law. The precedence is set. If you are not following the Inspection of Existing Chimneys (chapter 14) and hitting these items, it’s just a matter of time. It may lead homeowners to get rid of their fireplaces.

Becoming a Chim-Scan® Factory-Trained Technician is a unique factory training program. It starts with our Chimney Scanning and inspection Guide. You can take the test once you feel confident that you know the information. You will receive a patch, certificate, and the Chim-Scan® Factory-Trained designation upon passing. 
 There are many benefits of becoming a Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician: 
• You may be able to get lower insurance coverage rates. Ask your agent about this.
• You receive a certificate, a patch, and the number upon passing. 
• You receive a copy of our Chim-Scan® Technician Logo for advertising. 
• This book is packed with great information: 

•  There are over 400 pictures in the book.
• The book explains Levels of Inspection and Access Points
• When to refer to IRC and NFPA 211
• Angles of imagery
• Probable cause
• The Four Pathways
• Five modules featuring multiple installation types

1. Masonry fireplace
2. Masonry fireplace with an appliance - insert or hearth stove
3. Masonry thimble chimney with a solid or liquid fuel appliance(s)
4. Prefab fireplace & chimney
5. Prefab chimney with a solid fuel or liquid fuel appliance(s)

The open-book multiple-choice test is based on this guide, the Chim-Scan® Manual, and knowledge of the Chim-Scan® System. Each question is worth one point. Since this is an open-book test, 85% of correct answers are passing scores. 
You can take the test online. Once you finish the test (100 questions) and press the Submit Button, you will receive your pass/fail at that time. Your Certificate of Completion is ready to print directly off the site. You can take it up to two times before you incur an additional charge. 
Here is the breakdown of the test and manual cost: 
The training Manual is $200 in print form, including the test for one person (there is a retest fee if the test needs retaking more than twice). If you order your book(s) before 1/31/2025, you will only pay ($87 + $15.50 shipping.) 
For each test, it is only $50 for each individual from the same company. For information on taking the 
test, scan the QR code below, visit our website at www.chimscanfactorytraining.com, or give us a call to order at 641-472-7643.