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GET A CERTIFIED INSPECTION

Contact a “F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector” for a professional inspection of your fireplace, chimney and vent systems.
A “F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace and Chimney Inspector” is certified through the F.I.R.E. Service (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service) and is focused on the detailed inspection of all fireplaces, inserts, gas-burning appliances, chimneys, vent systems, stoves and other associated components. This training is based on the applicable building codes, manufacturer’s requirements, historical performance and the performance of individual products and materials.

Contact your local Fireplace & Chimney Inspector today at www.gotoFIRE.com. For reference of the AZ Latent Defect Law describing homeowner and contractor relations click this link.

FAQs

  • Advanced Inspection Training
  • Continuing Education Requirements
  • Fire Prevention & Investigation

The F.I.R.E. Certification program is the most advanced education program within the hearth industry. The goal for all F.I.R.E. Certified Inspectors is to prevent property damage and personal injury. It is our intent to reduce the number of structure fires that result in millions of dollars of property loss and personal injury every year. These losses and injuries can be reduced with an accurate evaluation by a qualified F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector. All F.I.R.E. Certified Inspectors have successfully completed three advanced educational courses. To stay on top of the ever-changing products, standards and building codes, they are required to recertify every three years and are required to attend additional education programs. This recertification and continuing education allows the F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector to focus on your system with greater accuracy. This professional approach reflects their dedication to the hearth industry and the welfare of their clients. If you want true results …contact a “F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector”.

  • Insist on Professional Inspections
  • Provide Accurate Product Assessment
  • Hire Only Qualified Inspectors

Most fires and injuries can be prevented with a detailed inspection provided by a professionally trained inspector. Construction defects, product performance, damaged material and improper maintenance are just a small sample of the items detected by a trained professional. Why take the risk when there is a simple answer? Have it inspected.

Home inspectors are not required to meet the NFPA 211 inspection standards. These standards apply to the fireplace and chimney industry only. If an inspection takes place by someone within the fireplace and chimney industry, the professional must meet the minimum requirements as set forth by the NFPA 211 standards for inspection. Failure to meet or exceed these standards may result in damage. When considering new construction or a remodel project, plenty of thought should be applied to your new and existing appliances and ventilation systems. These appliances and vent systems can be tricky at best. To prevent injury, we recommend consulting with a professional within the industry to assist you in application and safety. Although the Public Inspection process serves an important roll in quality assurance, the reality is that the public inspectors are not liable. The private inspectors are liable for their action and in most cases will provide a professional consulting service for a reasonable fee.

Our homes can be in conflict with our hearth products, cooking, and heating appliance. These conditions may result in unsafe malfunctions as well as personal injury.

An older home is likely to have air leaks that allow air infiltration into the dwelling to supply adequate combustion air to our appliances. This entry of air allows proper combustion of oil, gas and solid fuel and is required for proper drafting of these byproducts. All products of combustion must exit the dwelling to the exterior environment. A lack of air supply can often result in increased levels of carbon monoxide, improper drafting of the flue gases and a greater risk of exposure to the occupants. This air supply must be maintained for safety. Improvements to the original dwelling may reduce the infiltration of this combustion air. This reduction may result in malfunctions and personal injury to the occupants. We recommend that you consult with a professional inspector to determine the needs of your dwelling and appliances prior to remodeling.

With the changes made to insulation, vapor barriers, windows, doors and all aspect of the dwelling due to the current Energy Codes, it has become increasingly important to inspect and maintain all appliances regularly. These improvements can reduce the entry of air infiltration. These Energy Codes were developed to save energy but have created many conflicts for our oil, gas and solid fuel burning appliances. Changes to our homes may also result in conflicts with the Mechanical Codes. This Code ensures proper operation of the appliances and requires an inspection of your system upon repair or replacement. The combustion air requirements are found within the Mechanical Code. All vented appliances must exhaust air from the dwelling. The rate of this exhaust is based on the appliance and the volume of the fuel spent. The air exchange must be adequate to prevent malfunctions and premature failure of the appliances.

New homes are built to meet the new Energy Code requirements. These codes are intended to conserve energy by reducing the interaction between the outside environment and the interior living space. The intent of the Energy Code is to prevent the conditioned air from exiting the dwelling. This increases the efficiency of the dwelling and saves energy. However, this application can also result in conflicts and malfunction of hearth products as well as cooking and heating appliances.

If you are thinking of remodeling, adding a new system or just want to check your aging system, you can contact a professionally trained Fireplace & Chimney Inspector. A F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector will evaluate your appliance, chimneys and vents systems to ensure safe operation. This is a perfect time to evaluate your systems and make informed decisions.

If you smell gas, turn off the appliance and immediately contact your Gas Company. If you think you might have been exposed to carbon monoxide, exit the dwelling immediately and contact 911 for medical assistance. If you notice unusual flame movement, smoke or objectionable odors, you should contact your local F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector for an accurate assessment of your appliance and dwelling.

As new property is developed and the remodeling of existing property takes place, it is common for a Public Inspector to inspect the work performed. This process is commonly misunderstood and can raise a few questions.

The Building Codes are the minimum requirements for life and safety. They are looking for violations of this minimum standard as they perform their inspection.

An inspection by a Public Entity is not intended to ensure complete code compliance. This process is a form of checks and balances. The Contractor is liable for their action and should know the building codes and understand any manufacturer(s) requirements. The job of the City or County Inspector is to perform a spot check of the work performed to ensure a reasonable level of compliance.

The truth is that the Public Inspector may have an opportunity to inspect five to ten percent of the entire project. It is not possible for the Inspector to sit at the job and observe all work performed. The inspector may have anywhere from ten to eighteen inspections a day. A certain percentage of the work is likely to be correct based on the Contractors knowledge. However, the Public Inspector is also likely to find a few items that need correction. This process does not guarantee 100% compliance. There will be violations missed that may be out of view or outside the Inspectors specific knowledge.

This process assists in the detection of code violation but is not an assurance of proper installation or construction. The Public Inspector will attempt to detect as many violations as possible but does not have the time to catch them all. This process helps to police the construction industry and ensure some form of quality.

It is not likely that your local Public Inspector or any Public Entity is liable based on the typical Government Codes. Most Government Codes indicate that a public entity is not liable for inadequate inspections and that they are immune from intentional misrepresentation. However please note that there is a good reason for this. If they were liable, then you the consumer would be paying for their defense with your tax dollars. There is no way that any insurance carrier would supply coverage for an inspector that only looks at five to ten percent of the entire job. It is truly unreasonable.

The only true way to ensure compliance is to have a private inspection of all aspects of construction. If you decide that this is the direction for you, then you should be sure that the inspector(s) you choose have specific knowledge of the separate systems within your dwelling. Be sure to ask for the inspector(s) experience, C.V. and the proper professional liability insurance for inspections. Remember that it is not the number of years in business that ensures quality. It is the time they spend achieving professional education that defines a Professional Inspector. For Professional Fireplace & Chimney Inspectors visit www.gotoFIRE.com.

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