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CSFT - An Essential Training Tool for Employees!

5/12/2025

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​Are all of your employees on the same page? Is there a discrepancy in terms or procedures? Does your office staff understand what your chimney technicians are trying to tell them? Does it take a long time to train new employees? These problems can be solved with the Chim-Scan® Factory Training (CSFT) class.

This class/book follows a video scanning and inspection process. Each of the five modules takes the technician from one transition point to the next. It provides an up-close view within the structure.  There is also a 17-page glossary with terms and images. The book includes over 400 photos that explain what you will see in the flue. 

How can your team be aligned if your technicians don’t agree on terms or the procedure? Is this causing confusion with your office staff? If each employee who trains a new technician uses their own terms and unique processes, this confuses the technicians and office support staff! Having streamlined training is essential to having a staff that works together. 
​
Do your technicians understand what is happening in the flue? A cracked chimney does not always mean a chimney fire has occurred. A crack may indicate one of these causes: overfiring, chimney fire, or a seismic event. This book focuses in depth on the symptoms to look for other than cracks. There is other evidence to gather, images to capture, and analysis of how this may affect the structure. 

Highlights for the CSFT book and training:
• What is an Ideal Chimney? How does it stand up to IRC and NFPA 211?
• When do I use IRC, NFPA 211, or the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions?
• Understanding the Levels of Inspection and Chimney Scanning
• Cracks in the flue, Thermal Stress, and Thermal Shock
• Best viewing angles for scanning – the best angle to use by defect for the best images
• The Four Pathways to Deterioration, with examples and images
• Best Access Points for scanning
• What you might find in a chimney (animals, types of soot, etc.).
• Equipment check
• Scanning patterns

Once technicians become familiar with the content in the book, they can take the Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician Test to achieve this designation. They will earn a certificate and a patch. A copy of the logo is also available for their use now. This will put them light years ahead of their competition and make them a source of knowledge for homeowners.
Picture A logo for the Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician includes flames from a fireplace and a chimney.
You can receive this designation after passing the test to become a Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician.
Two installations - a woodstove and a gas furnace. Each are vented with prefabricated chimney in a detailed diagram.
This is an example of the drawings at the beginning of each module. On the left is a solid fuel installation. The installation on the right is for liquid fuels.
Bubbly black and glazed creosote and other types of soot area shown.
These pages show some of the things you may see when scanning the flue. It includes correct names for types of creosote.
A resurfaced flue, an insert, and a chimney cap have explanations within the glossary.
We include a 17-page glossary of technical industry terms with images.
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Offer your customers dryer vent inspections and cleaning.

4/27/2025

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Cleaning dryer vents is an essential service for your customers and is usually required to maintain a dryer’s warranty. Our Chim-Scan® Dryer Vent Plus System makes scanning dryer vent interiors easy! Scanning the dryer vent before cleaning is essential. You can check for blockages, disconnected joints, overuse of elbows, nests, correct termination to the exterior, and that the proper materials were used when the dryer vent was installed.

According to an NFPA 211 report created in 2020 by Marty Ahrens, an estimated 13,820 residential dryer fires happen each year, with an estimated 7 deaths, 344 injuries, and $233 million in property damage annually. Failure to clean was the leading factor contributing to the fire.
​
One of the most critical indicators of a problem is when the dryer takes longer to dry clothes. Another indicator is when they have to keep replacing heating elements, sensors, or dryers. This is where our Dryer Vent Plus System becomes invaluable. You can use this tool to scan the dryer vent before cleaning. Every homeowner is a candidate for dryer vent inspections and cleaning. 
A screen shows an image taken with a camera attached to a coiled rod.
The Chim-Scan® Dryer Vent Camera is installed on a four-wheeled spring cart. It includes 30' of flexible rod and a case with an easy-access cutout. Pair this with a 100 or 211 Unit. Shown with a 211 Controller/Monitor.
A round vent shows a buildup of lint partially blocking the opening.
Lint can build up in a dryer vent, causing it to take longer to dry clothes and causing the heating elements to burn out. The leading cause of dryer vent fires is failure to clean.
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Streamlined Inspections & Summary Reports

2/5/2025

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I’ve been involved in the chimney industry since the late ‘70s when my wife and I started our chimney sweeping business. Anyone who was a sweep during this time enjoyed a business that boomed during the fall and winter, then fell off in the spring and summer. How times have changed. In these early days, there were no criteria for chimney inspections. Chimney sweeps swept the chimney, maybe noted some issues to the homeowner about the soot level,and left. Litigation and insurance companies started to change the industry and were the basis for developing the industry’s Standard of Care. 
Taking the NFPA 211 Annex and placing it into installation type.
One day, at the turn of the century, as I sat on my deck relaxing, my mind wandered back to the year 1998 when a bunch of guys and I drafted the Levels of Inspections, Degrees of Access, and the list of inspection items in Chapters 14 & 15 and in the NFPA 211 Annex. As I thought about how it would be incorporated into a chimney technician’s inspection, I realized it would be difficult for the technician to try to hit all the inspection items from memory. Additionally, some items would apply to one type of installation, but not all. Today, 25 years later, some chimney technicians are still missing inspection items from NFPA 211. It’s almost as if our industry Standard of Care slipped through our fingers. Is it because there are too many items for a technician to inspect? No, we've become lazy and pick and choose what we want. This led me to begin my 10,000 hours of creating what became the Flue and Hearth Notes™ inspection forms. 
Different Installation Types.
Forty years ago, before NFPA 211’s Inspection criteria, an inspection form was created with a fireplace and a handful of inspection items to check. It was in triplicate form, and chimney sweeps used it for all types of installations. It was used for all chimneys. However, a fireplace inspection differs dramatically from a chimney serving a gas water heater and an oil boiler venting into one flue. Unfortunately, some chimney sweeps and technicians still use these forms.  Twenty years ago, I envisioned building a comprehensive inspection form Based on NFPA 211 but for specific applications such as a Masonry Fireplace, a Prefabricated Fireplace, a Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving an Appliance(s), and a Prefabricated Chimney Serving an Appliance(s).  Although these installations all have chimneys, each chimney vents a different type of heating unit or fireplace. In addition, the fuels can differ: LP gas, natural gas, oil, coal, wood, and pellets.
No installations are the same, but you will see the same types of defects.
Every installation is unique, but the types of defects are the same across the board. For instance, defects can range from vertical and horizontal cracks, protruding mortar joints, stacked liners, and misaligned liners to missing chimney liners.
Start creating a Unity track: Defining what’s important.
One of my all-time favorite stories is one Tom Grandy shared about a trip to the dentist. As with any dental visit, almost everyone gets the lecture about how to floss twice a day, and we are given the same demonstration of how to floss each time we brush. One day, after a lecture on flossing, Tom shared what we all feel, and the dentists regularly hear. “I hate to floss!” I suppose that day, the dentist had heard it for the umpteenth time, and he was ready. He responded, “OK, just do the teeth you want to keep!” This has similarities to our industry. A technician can’t just pick and choose what they want to search for (the insurable cracked flue liner). All inspection items must be investigated (NFPA 211, Chapters 14, 15, and the Annex). I felt pulling all this together would create unity on chimney inspections in our industry since it didn’t seem to be happening.
The start of the Flue and Hearth Notes™ (10,000 hours) of form building and why and how they are built.
I began with the vision of a unified form. I grouped inspection items with installation types. I further included an area for defects related to specific areas, such as a chimney liner. I grouped inspection items per area where they were found in the chimney or fireplace. I included information on appliances. I had professionally created drawings and pulled everything into multiple inspection report forms. Recently, I added more forms to the offering and broke them down by fuels. We now have eight form types: Masonry Fireplace, Masonry Fireplace with a Hearth Stove, Masonry Fireplace with an Insert, Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving a Solid Fuel Appliance, Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving a Liquid Fuel Appliance(s), Prefabricated Chimney Serving a Solid Fuel Appliance, Prefabricated Chimney Serving a Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance, and Prefabricated Fireplace and Chimney. We have Level I and Level II forms for each installation type. That’s 16 forms in total. But then, we went a step further.

A man and woman stand next to their vehicle with chimney sweeping equipment.
Tom and Esther Urban prepare to sweep chimneys in 1980. They saw the need to manufacture a chimney camera and started making them over 40 years ago.
A man is leaning over the steering wheel, looking scared and exhausted.
Trying to remember all of the inspection items in NFPA 211 Chapters 14 & 15, and the Annex can be tough even for seasoned veterans.
This form has a fireplace drawing and a handful of inspection items.
This outdated inspection form was created in the 1980s. It has been outdated for several years. It does not cover all of the inspection items in the NFPA 211 Standard, Chapters 14 & 15, and the Annex. Also, it is not a "catch all" form. It specifically targets a fireplace.
The inspection form lists multiple inspection items by transition of the fireplace. It includes a fireplace drawing. It is a Level I form.
The Flue & Hearth Notes™ Inspection forms is a Do-Confirm checklist with questions based on NFPA 211, Chapters 14 & 15 and the Annex. This is the form for a Level 1 inspection. A Level 2 form is also available. There are eight form types as listed in the image below. Click the image for more information.
Picture
There are 8 installation types available for these forms: Masonry Fireplace & Chimney, Masonry Fireplace & Chimney Serving a Hearth Stove, Masonry Fireplace & Chimney Serving an Insert, Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving a Solid Fuel Appliance, Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving a Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance(s), Prefabricated Fireplace & Chimney, Prefabricated Chimney Serving a Solid Fuel Appliance, Prefabricated Chimney Serving a Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance(s). For each type there is Level 1 and Level 2 forms.
​Summary Forms
We brainstormed one day and came up with the need for a new type of form. We call this form a Summary Form. These forms are available in the same installation types listed above. These forms are unique because we further break the installation into sections, as featured below. Within these sections is a color-coded area key to check whether it’s in Operational Ready Condition, Operational Deficient Condition, or Hazardous Condition. Documenting your findings this way makes sense. For instance, the flue liners “C” may be damaged. Based on this finding, condemning the whole chimney and telling the customer it is hazardous is incorrect. Maybe areas D-H are in Operational-Ready Condition. Maybe areas A & B are in Operational Deficient Condition – meaning the crown is cracked, needs some repairs, and the chimney from the roof up (B) needs tuckpointing. It’s great to get good news with the not-so-good news.
There are 8 fireplace drawings with different transition areas highlighted.
There are 8 installation types of Summary Forms. These forms break down the installation by transitions. They are designed as an easy-to-understand form for the customers. Included is Conditions featuring: Operational Ready, Operational Deficient, and Hazardous Conditions. There are two pages for drawings that correspond to the notes page with letters. For more information, please click the image above.
PictureOur Summary Forms are designed for your customer. It breaks out the conditions of each section, where you can check off the condition to the left of the description.
Another beautiful part of this form is the explanations included for the three conditions. If used correctly, these forms will convey to the homeowner the findings of your inspection in an easy-to-understand format. In addition to explaining the conditions, they include a cover page where your information and receipt can be placed. 
​Start when business is good, so you are ready when the slow times start!
Suppose you put the principles of inspection unity into practice now. When the slow times come, your business will thrive with forward-scheduling items like tuckpointing (Operational Deficient) that can wait for repairs. Your team will perform their inspections using the NFPA 211 Inspection Items, and they will all be on the same page. Your technicians will evaluate the entire chimney per the forms (and Industry Standard of Care), finding defects and verifying conditions. They can communicate the areas of their chimney that are in Operational-Ready Condition. Some may need fixing but not immediately (Operational-Deficient), and some may need repair before further use (Hazardous Condition). 
You stop trying to sell the job when the job can sell itself without using scare tactics of condemning an entire chimney. If you can continue to do what you’re doing, you will quickly put yourselves and the industry out of business. 
Standardizing inspection requirements across the board puts everyone on a level playing field. Everyone should already be checking everything outlined in NFPA 211. Some companies do and are very diligent about it. Unity and standardization are the keys to moving your business and this industry forward. Thanks for listening. Tom

A form shows transition points in the chimney which match up the copy with the images.
These images show an inspection using the Summary Forms. Each image follows the transition point of the chimney which corresponds to the transition location with letters. It's easy to match up the letter on the copy to the letter on the image.
#chimney inspection, #fireplace inspection, Prefabricated fireplace, #chimney damage, #flue damage, #flue inspection, #inspection form, #inspection report, #NFPA 211, #National Fire Protection Association, #Chimney Sweeps, #Chimney Industry, #Chimney Standard of Care, #Inspection items, #operational ready, #operational deficient, #hazardous, #chimney transitions, #solid fuel chimney, #liquid fuel chimney
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What Our Industry Is Missing

2/3/2025

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​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.
An old, outdated chimney inspection form that does not follow the NFPA 211 Guidelines.
This is an outdated inspection form used by some sweeps to cover a variety of installation types. It is MISSING inspection items set forth in NFPA 211, Chapters 14 & 15 and the Annex which is the Chimney Inspection Industry's Standard of Care.
There are 8 forms with a variety of chimney type.
Here is an example of modern inspection forms by installation type. Each form has a multitude of applicable checkboxes for that type of installation. There are eight installation type forms available. These are the Flue & Hearth Notes™ Inspection Forms. Click on the image for more information.
A lady looks at a report, holding her head with a confused expression on her face.
Customers become confused when they read a report with technical terms. It's important to understand the defect first, then to be presented with a solution, preferably options.
A blue book with this copy on the front: NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2024.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes the 211 Standard. This is the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. Within this book in chapters 14 & 14, and items in the Annex, is the chimney sweeping industry Standard of Care. It is case law.
​Individuals other than sweeps can do chimney inspections.
Other trades are already doing chimney inspections, and Home Inspectors do chimney inspections as part of an entire home inspection. More and more people are learning about NFPA 211 and the inspection items. Most are interested in performing the best inspection possible, and many are already following NFPA 211.
Each member of a company or team should retrieve the correct and consistent information.
How often are there inconsistencies within your organization? Are all of your technicians catching everything? Or are they stopping at the first crack or sign of a chimney fire, writing an estimate, and leaving without a full inspection?
As an industry, we must step up to the plate. We must perform a full inspection, checking everything, including the little things. We need to explore, discover, and follow all of the inspection criteria set forth in NFPA 211, Chapters 14, 15, and the Annex. After all, every chimney is a little different, although the defects are usually the same. If you are not using NFPA 211 as your guideline for inspections, then please take it out of your proposals & estimates. This way, if something goes bad, at least you didn’t incriminate yourself.
Four pages contain a report sectioned into 8 drawings of fireplace transition points. Pictures of the damage are shown on other pages.
The Flue & Hearth Notes™ Summary Forms give you the opportunity to create an easy-to-understand inspection report for your customers. You can add images that correspond with the areas of the installation. There are also definitions for three conditions: Operational Ready, Operational Deficient, and Hazardous. Each section has a "traffic light" so you can mark that section appropriately. These forms are available for 8 inspection types" Masonry Fireplace & Chimney, Masonry Fireplace with an Insert, Masonry Fireplace with a Hearth Stove, Masonry Thimble Chimney Venting a Solid Fuel Appliance, Masonry Thimble Chimney Chimney Venting a Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance(s), Prefabricated Fireplace & Chimney, Prefabricated Chimney Venting a Solid Fuel Appliance and Prefabricated Chimney Venting a Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance(s). Click on the image for more information.
#chimney inspection, #chimney industry, #NFPA 211, #National Fire Protection Association, #Hazardous chimney, #Operational Chimney, #masonry chimney inspection, #fireplace inspection, #prefabricated chimney, #inspection forms, #Inspect solid fuel appliance, #inspect liquid fuel appliance, #Inspect chimney, #chimney sweep, #home inspector, #Chimney inspector, 
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The importance of chimney scanning for building code authorities, home inspectors, and insurance adjusters

1/21/2025

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​Whether performing chimney inspections or reading a chimney inspection report, one thing is clear: It is hard to argue with a high-resolution picture taken during a chimney inspection with a camera showing defects deep inside the flue. A chimney inspection done with the naked eye is no comparison to an internal chimney scanning. I used a 5’ chimney prop with hidden defects in the chimney inspections and classes I taught for 21 years. Almost 99.9% of the time, the inspectors missed an opening defect within the flue by inspecting only with a flashlight and the naked eye. These defects were only 17” from their face. 

Images and videos from scanning chimneys are one part of the equation. If you read a report with multiple pictures, can you understand what the defects are and what caused them? Here are some other questions to consider:

1. Can you identify and define “What is a defect?” within the chimney interior?"
2. Can you determine how the defect was created or the most probable way it was created?
3. Did you rule out other causes and conditions, leaving probable causes as to why the defect is there?

In my forty years in the chimney industry, I have accumulated a lot of images, videos, and knowledge regarding chimney construction and defects. I have also spoken at national and state organizations and taught at a national trade organization school for over twenty years (Chimney Safety Institute of America). 

This wealth of experience led me to envision a way to share this information with the chimney industry and anyone interested in internal chimney inspections, culminating in the following book. The Chimney Scanning & Inspection Guide.
Within this book is a brief outline:

• Where to start – Use IRC, NFPA 211, local codes, or the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
• Where to put drop cloths and prepare the area for the inspection
• How does scanning chimneys fit within the Levels of Inspection (NFPA 211)? Where do the Levels of Accessibility fit into all this?
• How do structure integrity and flue condition compare to what is the ideal chimney in the code books?
• What is happening within the flue and the chimney?
• What is the probable cause of the defect or symptom, along with an explanation?

Operating a chimney camera using the proper techniques and observation skills should produce more answers regarding the flue’s condition rather than presenting more questions. Since there are many types of installation, we segmented this book into modules to provide a step-by-step approach to chimney scanning by chimney type. The modules include:
​
• Scanning a Masonry Chimney and Fireplace
• Scanning a  Masonry Chimney and Fireplace with an Appliance (Hearth Stove & Insert)
• Scanning a Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving an Appliance(s) (Solid Fuel or Liquid Fuel(s)
• Scanning a Prefab Chimney and Fireplace
• Scanning a Prefab Chimney Serving an Appliance (Solid Fuel or Liquid Fuel(s)

Each installation type offers its unique challenges. We detail the differences between types of installations, including conditions to be alert for and the typical defects for each. The training modules listed above tell you the best access points and offer a step-by-step assessment process for home protection, defect diagnosis, and cleanup. If you would like more information about our books, click here. Otherwise, continue reading our blogs to learn about your interests.
Orange colored terra cotta flue tiles are all misaligned. Some soot is visible.
Looking at the interior of the 5’ chimney, it is appears the builder didn’t use mortar, which led to misaligned tiles. There are some cobwebs. The black marks may be scorch marks or soot. It’s hard to tell without a closer look.
The exterior of the flue tiles have large gaps where the tile is broke. Soot is visible.Picture
When I opened the door to the 5’ chimney, the gaps in the flue became visible. Additionally, there was a tarlike creosote deposit on the exterior, which likely came through the hole and the missing mortar. More defects were inside the flue that were missed. We then asked attendees to use our camera to scan the interior of the flue, which revealed more defects.
A spiral bound book is opened to two chimney drawings with a flue tile and length of prefab chimney.
Our Interior Chimney Scanning Guide features over 400 images and 200 pages. There's nothing like it in the chimney industry!
The spiral bound book is opened to 2 installation drawings. One for a woodstove, the other for a furnace.
This guide features a lot of technical information and five modules: Scanning a Masonry Chimney and Fireplace • Scanning a Masonry Chimney and Fireplace with an Appliance (Hearth Stove & Insert) • Scanning a Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving an Appliance(s) (Solid Fuel or Liquid Fuel(s) • Scanning a Prefab Chimney and Fireplace • Scanning a Prefab Chimney Serving an Appliance (Solid Fuel or Liquid Fuel(s)
A cylindrical Chim-Scan J3D camera with bright lights is shown in a flue tile.
The Chim-Scan® J3D camera with continuous rotation (without holding a button) a side tilt camera (0-90 degrees) and a total of 30 dimmable LED Lights.
#chimney scanning, #chimney inspection, #chimney inspector, #chimney camera, #fireplace inspection, #masonry chimney inspection, #prefabricated chimney inspection, #chimney inspection report, #chimney defects, #flue defects 
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Become a Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician!

1/15/2025

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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. 
A logo with Chim-Scan Factory Trained Technician, Internal Chimney Inspection Systems is in orange, red, and black colors.
Upon passing the test, you will obtain the Chim-Scan® Factory-Trained Technician designation.
A binder holds pages together for the Chimney Scanning & Inspection Guide.
This guide has over 400 images, lots of technical data including Levels of Inspections and Access, and five modules featuring the most common installation types.
The book is opened, laying flat. A masonry fireplace with cutaway view of the flue is shown.
The book features check-off boxes for the inspection process. These boxes follow the transition areas within the installation type.
An image of a chimney cap, a cut-away view of the flue, a woodstove and furnace sit next to blocks of content.
This book walks you through the chimney inspection process by transition points.
Picture
#chimney inspection, #Chim-scan factory training, #chimney inspection camera, #chimney scanning & inspection guide, #masonry fireplace, #prefabricated fireplace, #masonry chimney with thimble, #prefabricated chimney, #IRC, #NFPA 311, #Chim-Scan chimney camera

Copyright 2025 Estoban Corporation
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Celebrating the Holidays With Your Fireplace

12/24/2024

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​With Tips from See-More Chimneys
The turkey smells amazing. Your mouth is watering over the delectable cookies, candies, and pies neatly arranged on the counter. The presents are under the tree, festively wrapped with bright bows and colorful wrappings. The fireplace is burning brightly, sending a soft glow into the room. It occasionally snaps and pops as it sends heat into the room.  With this beautiful scene, keeping the fireplace burning brightly is essential.
Create a Kid and Pet Buffer Zone (and for some adults)
Create an area around the fireplace where children or pets aren’t able to fall against or get near the fireplace opening. A child focused on a stocking is quick as lightning and can outmaneuver most adults; Burns or falls against the outer hearth can lead to tears and fears. Also, keep in mind there is always one relative who wants to play with the fireplace. Set your boundaries gently. Fireplace screens or “fireplace gate and fence systems” are great. 
Open the Damper
Always ensure the fireplace damper is fully open before starting a fireplace fire. A closed damper can cause smoke to back up into your home, sending everyone right out the front door into the 
Protection From Flying Sparks
The snap and pop are part of the fireplace charm. When this happens, sparks can fly. A sturdy screen covering the fireplace front is necessary to keep sparks from flying as far as three feet or more into the room. 
cold. 
Kindling or Firestarters?
Start your logs easier by using kindling, a few pieces of wadded-up newspaper, a commercial firestarter, or a gas-fired ignitor for starting wood logs. Never use any gasoline or chemicals not designed for use in a fireplace! Aim for cozy, not crispy!
Hanging the Stockings With Care
Keep all stockings, baskets, firewood, or other decorations a minimum of 36” away from the fireplace opening, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Yes, any combustible item can ignite if it is too close to the opening.
Ash Disposal
Only dispose of cool ashes and use a metal ash bucket with a tight-fitting lid. Unfortunately, people often underestimate the ability of hot ashes dumped into a container to cause a fire. Combustibles such as leaves, debris, and landscaping can ignite a blow around when an ember ignites. Garages, homes, landscaping, or other structures can catch fire. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that cool ashes should be placed a minimum of 10’ away from the home. Cold ashes around the base of rose bushes are good for them.
Firewood
When starting a fire, you may be tempted to ball up some wrapping paper in the firebox and woosh ‘fire,’ but as cool as this is, you’re damaging the chimney.
Burning paper and cardboard can cause massive temperature changes inside the chimney. These rapid temperature changes can cause terra cotta liners to break and metal liners to warp. So, spare yourself; use approved kindling, firestarters, and seasoned firewood.
Now, finding seasoned wood is hard unless you have a stack of wood outside your home. You can burn unseasoned wood, but you’ll want to ensure your chimney is checked the following spring. Softwoods cut in the spring can dry during the spring and summer and are usually seasoned in six months. Hardwoods cut during the same time may take a year to season. 
Fireplaces are a “must” for celebrating holidays. The warmth of the fireplace, the bright golden light, and the sounds of snapping and popping have created a perfect background for making beautiful memories. From the manufacturer of Chim-Scan® Inspection Systems, we wish you the best holidays ever!
A chimney resembling a man has the name See-More. He is holding a Chim-Scan chimney camera.
See-More Chimneys provides tips and information on chimney and fireplace inspections.
Two children sit away from the fireplace with puppies. A Christmas Tree is by the fireplace.
Set boundaries to keep children away from the fireplace.
Flames are coming from a long bar that is a log lighter in a masonry fireplace.
A grate would normally sit above this log lighter to ignite the firewood. The starter pipe on this unit needs replacing and adjusting.
A black bucket with a wood handle includes a metal lid.
The best ash bucket has a double bottom, and a tight-fitting lid. Use a metal ash shovel and only move ashes when they are cold. NEVER store it on carpet of anywhere near combustible materials when ashes are loaded.
Round logs both large and small show cracks meaning they are seasoned and ready for the fireplace.
Cracks in the end of the firewood show that it’s seasoned.
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Our Books Are on Sale!

12/17/2024

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Purchase a Chimney Scanning & Inspection Guide or the Interior Chimney Scanning Guide now through January 31st, 2025, and take advantage of our special sale price! Normally $200 each, you can purchase either book for $87.00 plus $15.50 shipping for a total of $102.50. That's almost half! Act now!  

Do you want to know more about our books?
They are the only books published in the industry about chimney inspections and chimney scanning. They prepare you for what to expect.
Each book includes over 400 images!
The images are categorized by cause (The Four Pathways of Chimney Defects)
We include 5 modules tailored for installation type:
  • Masonry Fireplace & Chimney
  • Masonry Fireplace & Chimney Serving a Hearth Stove or Insert
  • Masonry Thimble Chimney Serving a Solid or Liquid Fuel(s) Appliances(s)
  • Prefabricated Fireplace & Chimney
  • Prefabricated Chimney Serving a Solid or Liquid Fuel(s) Appliance(s)
Know what to expect for each installation type and how to educate your customer by the chimney transition points.
These books help you systemize your inspections through transition points.
Each book covers the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211 Levels of Inspection, Access Points, and Inspection items.
You will learn how to verify a chimney.
A guide to operating chimney scanning equipment and much more! For more information, click here.

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Do I use IRC or NFPA 211 for Chimney Inspections?

10/28/2024

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When to use IRC and NFPA 211 for Chimney Inspections
Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211 books provide information on building chimneys, fireplaces, and appliance installations. Which book should I use for chimney inspections? The IRC and NFPA 211 both cover new construction of chimneys, fireplaces, and appliance installations. However, NFPA 211 goes one step further, offering a process for inspecting chimneys, fireplaces, and appliance installations since we see the world of chimneys and fireplaces after operating. The question above is commonly debated within the chimney industry.
Are you wondering which to follow for new construction? Most states require the use of IRC, and a few require NFPA 211. Some states have their own building codes and some areas within a state have their own codes. Then there are exceptions such as historical areas. Always check locally because there may be additional local codes required above and beyond IRC or NFPA and even state codes.
When it comes to prefabricated chimney and fireplaces, the installation instructions must be used. These instructions can usually be obtained online if you know the model number. The same goes for appliances. If you need to call the manufacturer’s help desk for technical assistance, be sure to also have the serial number. The manufacturer (and their installation instructions) must be followed for installation and supersede IRC and NFPA 211.
We suggest obtaining an IRC or NFPA 211 book if you don't already own one. If your area abides by IRC for new construction, you will still need NFPA 211 for access and inspections. Additionally, you may need copies of local codes and historical district codes. As a chimney technician or inspector, it's up to you to determine if the chimney, fireplace, and appliance installations are operational-ready based on inspection criteria. Your customers count on it.
​©2024 Estoban Corporation LLC. 
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    Author

    Tom Urban has worked in the Chimney and Hearth industry for 45 years. He's been an inventor and manufacturer for 40+ of those years.

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