The Importance of CSIA Certification
When you are looking for a chimney professional to take care of your fireplace and chimney maintenance and repair needs, you should always look to see if that professional has been certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Known as the standard of the chimney industry, CSIA certification reflects the education and training a chimney sweep has received as well as the trustworthiness of the chimney services he or she provides. When you hire a CSIA-certified chimney sweep, you know your chimney will be properly cleaned and inspected to ensure everything functions efficiently and safely. At Atlas Chimney, our CSIA certifications are extremely important to us, and we would like to tell you more about why this credential holds just as much importance to you.
How does one become certified by the CSIA?
In order to receive certification from this non-profit organization that is committed to fireplace and chimney safety, one must first go through the training and review process. With the options of attending a one-day session in person or of enrolling in a one-week session online, chimney professionals from all over the country have the opportunity to undergo this process. After completing the review session, one must pass two exams. The first exam is a one-hour test based on Successful Chimney Sweeping, a CSIA publication, and on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. The other exam is a 90-minute open book test on the 2006 International Residential Code. Both of these exams cover topics about chimney performance and safety, building codes and standards, and the care and installation of all types of solid fuel-burning appliances. After passing these exams, the chimney sweep must agree to pay the Annual Certification Fee and sign the CSIA Code of Ethics.
Why is CSIA certification so important for me?
The main reason why this certification is so important to you and other homeowners has to do with the CSIA Code of Ethics. By signing this code, our chimney sweeps at Atlas Chimney agree to uphold specific responsibilities, commitments, and obligations, including:
We will perform our duties by using chimney and venting safety techniques recommended by the CSIA.
We will continue to expand our education by improving our skills and learning new techniques to remain updated on fireplace and chimney safety standards.
We will use honest business practices by refraining from unfair and deceptive dealings and by clearly informing our customers about the essential safety procedures of fireplace and chimney systems.
We guarantee respectful and professional behavior whenever we work on chimneys and fireplaces in the homes of our customers.
To discover the benefits of hiring a CSIA-certified chimney sweep to perform your fireplace and chimney services, contact us at 512-CHIMNEY (512-244-6639). We are happy to show you exactly how important our CSIA certifications are to us.