Sweeping Magazine- September 2014

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September 2014 Volume 38 #8

Table of Contents Features 9 Not Just a One Shot Deal: Employee P.10

Training and Education

14 How to Screen, Hire or Terminate an Employee

18 The Trap of Busy Season Marketing 20 Insulating Liners 22 Midwest Chimney Safety Council Completes Charity Project for Scout Camp

24 Wisconsin Guild of Chimney Service Specialists Easter Seals Workshop

P.20

27 Call for Nominations: Board of Directors

Departments 3 President’s Report 6 Editor’s Letter 8 Tech Q&A 10 Coach’s Corner 12 Industry Watch P.22 Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology (ISSN# 10416692) is published 11 times annually, by the National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168.

Annual dues to the National Chimney Sweep Guild are $479 for Voting Member Companies and $689 for Supplier Member Companies, of which $80 goes toward a subscription to Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology. Additional annual subscriptions are available for $80 by contacting the National Chimney Sweep Guild at the office of publication (NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168).

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney and Venting Technology National Chimney Sweep Guild 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168

17 Sweeps Advantage 33 Progressive Perks 34 History Project 35 Dates and Events 37 Around the Tech Center 39 Darwin Awards 40 Humor On the Cover: Students from the August class of CSIA’s National Chimney Sweep Training School learn how to line a chimney with a stainless steel liner at the CSIA Technology Center.

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 1

ResourcePage

NATIONAL CHIMNEY SWEEP GUILD

Committee Chairs and Task Forces for 2013-2014 Bylaws Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com

Government Affairs Phil Mitchell (603) 659-7776 sootski@aol.com

NFPA 211 Representative Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com

Convention Site Selection Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneygal@aol.com

International Relations John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com

NFPA 31 Representative John Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneyman@aol.com

Ethics Mark Stoner (615) 459-2546 ashbusters@aol.com

Long Range Planning Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com

NFPA 54 Jim Brewer (757) 523-2400 jbrewer@magic-sweep.com

Governance Jay Walker (850) 562-4692 SweepingJ@aol.com

Membership Bob Ferrari (530) 221-3331 bob@flueseason.com

Technical Advisory Council Michael Segerstrom (908) 253-9190 chimneysweeps@optonline.net

NCSG BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015 President Jeremy Biswell (913) 236-7141 fluesbrothers@yahoo.com At-Large Director Diane Pilger (631) 863-2460 chimneygal@aol.com Treasurer, Region 3 Ron Rust (803) 730-5858 tophatswp@aol.com Vice President, Region 5 Jasper Drengler (715) 304-8934 drengler01@gmail.com Region 1 Phil Mitchell (603) 659-7776 sootski@aol.com

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COUNCIL To contact any member of the Technical Advisory Council, please call (317) 203-0088 and select the extension for the person who is best qualified to answer your question: Chris Prior Masonry Construction and Restoration and Priorfire Fireboxes (317) 203-0088 x: 2 Jim Brewer Gas Venting and NFPA 54 (317) 203-0088 x: 3 John Pilger Oil Flue Sizing, Relining or NFPA 31 (317) 203-0088 x: 4

Fred Joy Installation and Venting of Pellet Stoves (317) 203-0088 x: 7 Jay Walker Dryer Vents (317) 203-0088 x: 8 Rett Rasmussen Vented and Vent Free Gas Logs and Controls (317) 203-0088 x: 9

Randy Brooks IRC, NFPA 211 or Customer Communications (317) 203-0088 x: 5 Bart Ogden Stainless Steel Lining, Video Scanning and Narrative Report Writing (317) 203-0088 x: 6

Rich Martinez Dryer Vents or Masonry (317) 203-0088 x: * Rich Rua General Sweeping or Relining (317) 203-0088 x: 0

Be advised that advice given by NCSG’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) reflects best practices of the chimney sweeping industry. However, we are unable to account for any particular type of situation since regional variations in construction practices and additional environmental, physical and geographical factors necessarily vary the level of service appropriate for a particular fireplace and/or chimney. Additionally, local laws and ordinances may govern and/or supersede the information and any recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with firsthand knowledge of the situation, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Neither NCSG nor any member of TAC will be held liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from the use of or reliance on information provided by anyone associated with TAC. By your use of this member benefit you acknowledge acceptance of these terms.

ADVERTISING RATES for Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology may be obtained by contacting Malisa Minetree at (317) 815-4688 or sweepingads@me.com Design by Laura Houser Design • laurahouser.com • (317) 213-7497 NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org.

Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format.

In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing, nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release.

NCSG further reserves the right to reject at any time any advertising determined not to be in keeping with the publication’s standards. Acceptance of advertising by Sweeping magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers. © 2014 National Chimney Sweep Guild, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. (317) 837-1500

2 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Region 2 Vacant Region 4 Kevon Binder Jr. (517) 423-2832 kevon@drflue.com Region 6 Bob Ferrari (530) 941-5818 bob@flueseason.com Secretary Gregg Boss (636) 391-2226 englishsweep@att.net At-Large Director Fred Joy (785) 986-6432 joyfredm@live.com Supplier Representative Edmund Poplawski (570) 504-7107 epoplawski@olympiachimney.com

STAFF 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168 (317) 837-1500 Fax: (317) 837-5365 Frances Kelly Excecutive Director fkelly@ncsg.org Megan McMahon Director of Finance mmcmahon@ncsg.org Debbie Cornelius Membership Development Coordinator dcornelius@ncsg.org Donna Lee Kasmer CSIA Certification Coordinator dkasmer@csia.org Claire Rutledge Program Coordinator crutledge@ncsg.org

Darcy Marlett Director of Communications and Marketing dmarlett@ncsg.org Tom Spalding CSIA Director of Communications and Marketing tspalding@csia.org Ashley Edridge Director of Education ashley@csia.org Sara Sichting Office Manager ssichting@ncsg.org

President’s Report

JEREMY BISWELL NCSG PRESIDENT

Oh my God, this is beautiful!

T

here are certain moments in one’s life that they feel a real connection with something bigger than them. For some, it’s the experience of childbirth, winning the big game, watching the graduation of a loved one, the day you marry the person of your dreams. Experiences like these mark a moment in a person’s life that is hard for them to forget.

This recently happened to me on a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota.

A friendly competitor and close friend of mine, fellow chimney sweep Robert Berry, decided several months ago that we needed to make a vision quest to Sturgis motorcycle rally for some prebusy season enlightenment. We loaded both of our motorcycles into my new Nissan NV high top van on a rainy Sunday afternoon and headed on our adventure. On a side note, the new Nissan NV will fit 2 motorcycles and luggage very comfortably and has a very nice ride with plenty of power to boot.

the occasion ping of the GPS telling you when to turn and that there is traffic ahead. Usually the first hour is spent worrying about this or that or running down lists in our head. After that first hour, our mind relaxes and the creative side of our mind is unleashed to wreak havoc on the world around us.

After a hard 7 hours of driving, we stopped at our hotel for the night. The next day, we got right back on the road for another 6 hours of driving. We arrived in our destination of Deadwood,

There is NO competition that will even come close to

The nice thing about traveling with a colleague is the conversation and the ideas that are thrown around during the hours and hours spent on the road.

I have found that as entrepreneurs, our minds are constantly focused on the task at hand and that our minds need a chance to roam on new and exciting ideas. The best opportunity I have found for this to occur naturally is on a road trip. The road trip needs to be 3 or more hours in length. Scary things happen when the road trip is 8 hours.

There are far less expectations and you are stuck in a box for hours on end with no entertainment other than a radio and

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South Dakota, which is 10 miles south of the town of Sturgis.

We unloaded the motorcycles and took off through the winding roads and hills of South Dakota.

I had never ridden my motorcycle through a more beautiful area. The winding roads were exciting. The atmosphere was breathtaking. The beauty of Mother Nature surrounded me. I felt a surge of emotion flow through me and fill my soul. I began to tear up and thanked God for this moment in my life.

I share this story with you to encourage you to stop and think when the last time you had a beautiful moment in your life. As business owners, we constantly have the weight of the world strapped against our backs. Beautiful moments in our life remind us that our hard work and dedication are not forgotten.

Sweeping 7.35 x 4 7-8"_April 25 2014.pdf

1

2014-04-25

In September, we focus our attention heavily on the demand our businesses “busy season” presents to us. Kids are back to school and families are settling down after a long summer of adventurous travel and activities. Once Labor Day hits, the flood gates release and the phone starts to ring much, much more frequently. Work flows in and life is hectic and good. The bank account fills up and the slim work days of summer seem to fade away.

Take time to stop and remember what is beautiful to you. Pace yourself and your actions. Thank you for being part of my life journey. Enjoy this month’s issue of Sweeping.

Jeremy Biswell, President NCSG

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Editor’s Letter

DARCY MARLETT EDITOR

F

all is here bringing the busy season for many of you.

If you are looking to hire new employees to expand your company in preparation for the rush of customers you may want to read “Not Just a One Shot Deal: Employee Training and Education” on page 9 and “How To Screen, Hire or Terminate an Employee” on page 14.

Not ready to let go of summer just yet? Check out the articles about the workshops the Midwest Chimney Safety Council and the Wisconsin Guild of Chimney Service Specialists had over the summer. Many of our state and regional guilds offer great workshops and learning opportunities over the summer months. These are great ways to expand your technical knowledge while meeting other chimney sweeps near you that experience the same highs and lows you and your business go through.

This issue’s technical theme is lining with stainless steel. Visit the “Technical Q&A” on page 8 and “Insulating Liners” by Russ Dimmitt on page 11 for advice.

Finally if you just want to see funny photos of President Jeremy Biswell, At-Large Director Diane Pilger, Education Director Ashley Eldridge and myself getting cold water dumped over our heads visit page 37 (and the National Chimney Sweep Guild YouTube page for the videos!).

Wishing you all a safe and prosperous busy season!

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Technical Q&A

Q

I am installing a 6” stainless steel liner in a clay tile lined flue for a new woodstove insert in a masonry fireplace. The flue is oversized, so I am downsizing by installing a full liner. The clay tiles are not cracked and it’s an interior chimney. Do I still need to insulate?

A

In almost every case, for solid fuel applications, the answer is yes. The only known exception is if the chimney structure itself meets all applicable clearance to combustibles requirements.

These requirements are found in both the IRC and the NFPA 211. An interior chimney must maintain a minimum 2” air space clearance to combustibles. An exterior chimney must maintain a 1” airspace clearance. So if we can confirm that at all wall, floor, ceiling and roof penetrations, the required clearances are maintained, we might not be required to insulate. I say might, because certain brand and/or model liners may require a ¼” of wrap insulation, even if chimney clearances are met!

Over the years, there have been several myths, misconceptions, misunderstandings and even misinformation about insulation requirements when installing a stainless steel liner for solid fuel applications.

“I’m using heavy wall, so I don’t have to insulate.”

“The clay liners are not cracked, so I don’t have to insulate.”

BY MICHAEL SEGERSTROM, NCSG TECHNICAL ADVISORY CHAIR

In most cases, we would have to perform Level 3 Inspection by opening walls and/or ceilings to determine if chimney clearances are present. This level of inspection, repair of inspected areas, and then insulating the liner will cost the homeowner more than if we simply proposed insulation in the first place. I say insulating the liner after Level 3 Inspection because a well-known and common construction defect across the country is failure to maintain chimney clearances. Certain liner manufacturers will even state in their installation instructions “if chimney clearances cannot be confirmed, the liner must be insulated.”

Typical insulation methods include blanket wrap insulation, a poured type insulation and pre-insulated liner. Certain liner manufacturers also allow for a 1” air space between the stainless steel liner and the inside of the chimney as an “insulator.” Not all brands are UL Listed for all of these insulation methods. When using a poured mix, it must be a minimum 1” thick all around the liner.

For liners approved with the 1” airspace, maintaining it may be nearly impossible, especially if the flue is not straight.

Whether required or not, insulating the liner for solid fuel applications will help stabilize flue gas temperatures, reduce condensation in the flue, reduce soot and creosote build-up, and/or improve draft. These improvements can translate in to better appliance performance and even reduced maintenance costs.

“It’s an interior chimney, so I don’t have to insulate.”

“The homeowner can’t afford it, so I don’t have to insulate.”

“Insulation won’t fit, so I don’t have to insulate.”

None of these determine if insulating is required. As stated above, it is required when chimney clearances are not maintained, and it may be required by the brand liner we use, regardless of chimney clearances.

8 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

In summary, for solid fuel applications, ALL UL Listed liner manufacturers will require that the chimney meets clearance requirements, or insulating if the chimney exterior clearances to combustibles requirements are not met. And sometimes both. To accurately answer the original question, we must look at both the requirements of the liner we are installing and the chimney’s clearances to combustibles.

Not Just a One Shot Deal: Employee Training and Education

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Chimney Sweeps, in one form or another, have been around for centuries.

Throughout the years, the sweep business has obviously changed drastically – and continues to evolve. New products are introduced each year and the codes and laws applicable to the chimney industry are continually updated to reflect advancements made in the trade. As a result, it is imperative that sweeps stay abreast of any industry changes and periodically refresh prior training and educational efforts.

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All training or educational endeavors should be documented. The recommendation to document such efforts should be viewed broadly, such that on the job training and any internal educational efforts (safety meetings, training videos, etc.) are documented and maintained in a specific file.

While on the job training is certainly beneficial, that type of training should be partnered with a formal training and educational program such as the CSIA or NFI. These national programs are standardized and are continually updated to reflect changes in the industry. Further, since they are outside organizations, juries often give more credence to a CSIA or NFI certificate.

I have represented numerous sweeps and hearth professionals throughout the country in fire loss cases. Typically, one the first type of documents requested by a plaintiff in these cases are copies of the employee training and educational records.

If training records are sparse, or in some cases completely absent, the plaintiff will use the lack of records to argue that the sweep was not properly trained and did not know what they were doing. Whether this is true or not, the plaintiff will paint a compelling picture for the jury. The inverse, however, is also true. If the sweep’s training and education efforts are well documented, such documentation will go a long to supporting a successful defense.

Typically the law requires sweeps to engage in their practice consistent with industry standards. This is known as the standard of care. If industry standards are not met, then the sweep will likely be held liable for whatever loss or claim it is facing. Consequently, a sweep is not only held to a standard based on what they know, but also on what they should have known. To meet this standard of care, continued training and education efforts are very important.

A quality training and education program will reduce the risk of a fire loss occurring, and consequently, the possibility of ever being dragged into a lawsuit.

Sweeps who spend the time and energy to educate and train their employees will reap the benefits not only from a liability perspective, but also from a business perspective. By adopting a well thought training and education program, the sweep can market itself as a safety conscious organization. Further, if the sweep obtains CSIA or NFI certificates, they can reference such certifications when selling a job.

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In short, training and education is not something that should be taken lightly.

Sweeps should embrace such efforts and utilize employee training and education to their benefit.

Eugene M. LaFlamme is a partner at McCoy Leavitt Laskey LLC, a national defense firm specializing in fire and explosion cases. Eugene’s practice focuses on the defense of companies involved in the hearth and chimney industries. He can be contacted at elaflamme@MLLlaw.com or (262) 522-7000.

www.securitychimneys.com 800-361-4909 (US) 800-667-3387 (Canada) © 2014

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 9

The

Coach’s Corner

BY JERRY ISENHOUR

Branding For Success

I

n business we are always looking for ways to set ourselves apart from the crowd, enabling us to clearly identify to our customers who we are, what we do and how well we do it. Naturally, the most important ways we do this is by the quality of our service, the performance of our products or how we treat our customers. Do we give them their money’s worth? Do we solve their problem (s)? Do we make them feel good for having done business with us?

Do we over deliver and exceed their expectations? These are crucial for repeat business and for creating what Sooty Bob called customer cheerleaders, those customers that will brag about you to their friends and family and bring you a stream of new business. This is what I call the enthused customer, the customer who is satisfied, loyal and enthused, and their enthusiasm drives them to tell others how great we are.

But another very important path to setting ourselves apart is branding. Branding is what sets Mercedes Benz apart from Ford, McDonalds apart from Burger King, Coke apart from Pepsi,

10 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Harley Davidson apart from just about any other motorcycle on earth. And, this is not always just a function of quality. Branding creates an image in the mind of the public that is uniquely associated with a particular business and all that business represents. When it’s done correctly, branding will say as much about who you are as anything else you do.

Branding is why Serve-Pro trucks all look the same and carry the same powerful, informative message, “Like it never even happened”. It is the five words they chose so they could say in a nutshell not just what they do, but how well they do it. And it is so important it is a registered trademark!

Branding is what is being done when Coke associates itself with happiness, When Mercedes associates itself with safety and performance, when Pontiac branded itself with excitement, when Prudential associates itself with the Rock of Gibraltar, and when Subway associates itself with eating fresh. Each of these businesses has created an indelible image and idea in our minds that we associate uniquely with them. Think in your own mind

what messages drive you to instantly think of the product or the company, and now start the process of the same for your own business.

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You may be thinking, yeah, but I’m just a small business serving a small area. Do I really need to brand myself in this little market? The answer to that question like all questions about marketing is, only if you want a bigger share of whatever market you are in. It’s up to you. What is your goal, where do you want your business to go. Remember the business exists solely to provide you the means to reach your dreams in life! And the most important decision of all, is my brand one they see or hear and it drives them to call me, it is a call to action!

But think of it this way, successful branding can never be an impediment. It can never hurt your business to have a look, a logo, a phrase that sums you up in the public’s mind. It can never hurt to find a way for your customers and potential customers to be reminded of who you are, and what you are about. It can only help.

The question is not why should I create a recognizable brand out of my business, the question is why wouldn’t you? Yes, it takes some time, some thought, some creative input, maybe some advice from others. But the end effect is more than worth whatever labor is involved. At the very least it will force you and your employees to think about what you really are as a company, about what you stand for, about how you want the public to perceive you. And that exercise alone is enormously useful. Because if you don’t know what you stand for, what you represent, or how you want to be seen by the public, you can bet no one else will either.

Branding is of course an important ingredient of the success prescription. It is a very important part, and it must be a part of your total marketing plan. You do have one don’t you? If not perhaps you need to schedule the time with your team to get your market plan together now for 2015. The total marketing plan is one that looks to the future, and does not dwell on today. Develop your total plan and charge forth, your dreams await your action.

My advice to you this month? Brand your business! You won’t regret the process or the outcome. Your bank account will thank you.

About the Author: Jerry Isenhour is an industry consultant, educator and coach who authors a monthly article in Sweeping as a service to the industry. For more information about Jerry and how his team can assist you individually and your business in your quest for success and your ascent to the next level, take a look at his web site www.cvccoaching.com He can be contacted at jerry@cvccoaching.com or by phone at (704) 425-0217. You can also obtain great business tips from his Facebook page CVC Coaching and Youtube channel CVCCoaching.

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Industry Watch 25,000 Chimney Fires Occur Every Year in the US. Chimfex® Protects Families And Homes and It’s a Great Add-On Sale Opportunity for Chimney and Fire Safety Professionals.

Easton, Maryland (July 25, 2014). Fall is when families across America prepare and begin to use their wood burning stoves and fireplaces. It is also the time when safety professionals focus on fire prevention and fire safety with Fire Prevention Week October 5 – 11, 2014, and Fire Prevention Day on October 9, 2014. To support fire safety, Orion, the manufacturer of Chimfex, is providing special savings offers to chimney and safety professionals, to help their clients be prepared in the event of a chimney fire.

Every year in the U.S., there are on average 25,000 chimney fires, accounting for up to $100 million in damages. Thousands of people are hurt each year as a result of chimney fires, and both homeowners’ and fire fighters’ lives are lost.1 Chimney fires can start and spread quickly and if not extinguished promptly, water damage from putting out the fire can cause much of the property and financial loss. The key for homeowners is to take precautions to prevent chimney fires and be prepared to extinguish them when they occur.

To reduce the risk of chimney fires, the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that homeowners regularly have their chimneys checked and cleaned by a chimney cleaning professional. The Chimney Safety Institute of America has also awarded Chimfex its prestigious Accepted Product Status, a status that Orion proudly prints on its product displays. The Accepted Product Status was awarded to Chimfex based on the product’s tested ability to quickly and safety extinguish chimney fires.

fire quickly and safety. To see how Chimfex works, go to www. chimfex.us.

When asked why Orion was providing special savings for Chimfex, Bob Defonte, Orion’s V.P. Sales & Marketing, stated, “We work closely with the Chimey Safety Institute of America and other chimney sweep and fire safety organizations to help educate people about fire safety, ways to prevent home fires, and how to extinguish fires when they occur. We want to encourage homeowners to be prepared in the event of home chimney fires and these special offers will help them buy our products. Chimfex is a great add-on sale opportunity for chimney and fire-safety professionals. From October to December 2014, Chimfex is offering reduced pricing and free shipping on all Chimfex orders. We recommend owners of wood burning fireplaces and stoves keep two Chimfex on hand because occasionally, a chimney fire may reignite, so a second Chimfex provides additional safety. To take advantage of the special offer call 1-800-637-7807.”

1 Statistics sourced from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission About Orion Safety Products Orion Safety Products, Easton, MD, is the nation’s largest manufacturer of highway and U.S. Coast Guard Approved signals. They have manufacturing facilities in Easton, MD, Peru, IN and Bristol, PA. For more information, you can visit their website at www.orionsignals.com.

SirVent announces Chimney & Venting Franchises

When asked how Orion’s Chimfex product works, Orion President Jay McLaughlin stated, “Chimfex uses proprietary technology from our other safety products to immediately deprive a chimney fire of the oxygen needed to keep it burning.

Independent research by Omni Test Laboratories proves that Chimfex can extinguish a chimney fire in as little as 22 seconds, and in just two minutes it reduces chimney temperatures an average of 53% and reduces chimney oxygen levels an average of 43%. This is critical because it stops the fire from spreading and doesn’t require extensive amounts of water to put out the fire, which often causes more damage than the fire itself. We receive a lot of letters from homeowners that live far from fire stations telling us that Chimfex literally saved their house from burning down. We’re also proud that, like other highway, marine, and outdoor safety products, a large number of safety and fire professional buy and use Chimfex.”

SirVent Franchising, LLC (SirVent) is offering franchise opportunities throughout the United States. SirVent is a partnership effort created by industry members and leaders Jim Brewer, Mark Stoner, Cliff Slagle and Jake Loeffler. The partners state their goals as: • Raising the bar in the chimney & venting industry by providing business owners with excellent business operation systems, marketing & sales systems, and technical training for both business owners and employees.

• The partners hope to increase consumer awareness of the need for chimney and venting service by tapping into the estimated 95 percent of American homes that have never been serviced by a chimney or venting professional.

“SirVent believes the chimney and venting service industry is still an emerging market with the potential to increase in size benefiting both new and existing chimney service companies.”

Chimfex is easy to use and it is recommended that homeowners keep the product in close proximity to their wood burning fireplace or stove, so that it can be quickly used if a chimney fire starts. If a chimney fire starts, a homeowner can quickly ignite the Chimfex, place it in the fireplace or stove, and close the opening. Chimfex will absorb the oxygen and put out the

The founding partners have each built successful chimney service companies and are excited to share their years of experience with new business owners. Each of the founding partners brings unique strengths and abilities to the company: Cliff Slagle is the CEO, Director of Field Operations and is an excellent technician. He is recognized as the “Get ‘Er Done

12 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Guy”. Cliff runs multiple operations in Michigan and Indiana and has over 24 years of industry experience.

Mark Stoner is the Director of Marketing and is a true marketing genius. He is recognized throughout the industry as building one of the most successful chimney service companies in the country.

Through his 29 years of industry experience Mark has offered assistance to chimney sweeps from across the country and has shared his business ideas with them, in fact many have coined the phrase “Stoner University” for visiting his Nashville facility. Mark currently has multiple operations in Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina.

MORE THAN

, 25 000 CHIMNEY FIRES OCCUR EVERY YEAR!

Jim Brewer is the Director of Training and has been teaching chimney sweeps since 1986. He has built a solid reputation as an outstanding technician and award winning trainer. Jim has over 35 years of industry experience operating a business in southeast Virginia.

Jake Loeffler is Director of Franchise Development and has unique experience in systems development and business management. Jake has been operating multiple businesses in Vermont and has 13 years of industry experience.

Together the partners believe they have the experience to get new businesses up and running quickly with good systems and training so they will be able to serve consumers and provide world class service. Each SirVent franchise will be individually owned and operated.

Prior to working in the client’s home a new franchisee or technician will have over 120 hours of classroom and field training. They will also be required to obtain the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and C-DET certification. After a few months of service work in their market area, franchisees will return for an additional 100 hours of advanced training for repairs, installations and trouble-shooting topics. SirVent will encourage technicians and owners to obtain NFI certifications and ultimately Master Hearth Professional designation. In addition to initial and advanced training our franchisees will have access to a steady stream of continuous training through online webinars and videos. All SirVent franchises will be required to maintain National Chimney Sweep Guild membership and we will encourage our franchisee’s to be active in state, regional and national industry associations.

This opportunity has been two years in the making to ensure that maximum value and benefits are offered to our franchisees.

This is a limited ground floor opportunity and we are excited to speak with all interested parties. For more information, visit www. sirventfranchising.com

Industry Watch Policy NCSG encourages industry partner to submit press releases to Darcy Marlett, Sweeping: The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technology editor, via email at dmarlett@ ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or a call to action on the part of our readers. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a .jpg format. In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions to fit space limitations, keep the release and publish at a later date, or refuse to publish the release for any reason. Neither publishing nor refusing to publish the submission should be considered a statement of NCSG’s opinion regarding the release.

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*Tested by Omni-Test Laboratories, Inc., Portland, OR

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 13

How To Screen, Hire Or Terminate An Employee

H

uman resource management, including finding and keeping qualified candidates, as well as removing those who are not worthy of an opportunity within an organization in a timely and legal fashion are the number one and two issues that face members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild on a daily basis. The following are SESCO Management Consultants’, our preferred human resource consulting firm, recommendations to assist you in screening and hiring the right employee the first time as well as tips for removing mediocre or poor employees sooner rather than later.

Screening and hiring Regulations of what employers cannot do during the screening and hiring process continue to mount. As such, it behooves employers to do what they can legally during the screening and hiring process, in order to make an informed hiring decision -- versus an emotional or gut decision. Most organizations make quick hiring decisions because they have a position to fill and would rather fill that position and move forward hoping that the candidate will work out rather than taking the time and conducting a thorough assessment. Of course this lack of candidate analysis creates a very costly and vicious circle. It also affects other employees’ morale in that the employees that show up on time, work hard, and do a good job are affected by those poor hires that we make and retain.

Some basic tips that SESCO recommends that all employers should engage to improve their screening and hiring process include:

14 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

• Carefully review resumes and applications looking for: − Rounded off dates or gaps of employment − Non-specific experience − Lack of reasons for leaving previous jobs − Lack of earnings progression − Overly vague general job duties or job titles • Behavioral-based interviewing techniques should be engaged. The behavioral-based interview is based upon preparing very basic, open-ended questions that will solicit information based upon an employee’s past history or job performance that is crucial for the job opening. For example, a question would be “How did you handle a difficult customer in the past?” Whatever the topic is, it will be job related and we simply ask open-ended questions to solicit a person’s historical perspective.

Avoid basic questions as, “Tell me about yourself, What are your five (5) strengths/five (5) weaknesses?, What are your hobbies?, What do you like to do in your spare time?” All of these questions are not job-specific and will not solicit the necessary information to make an informed hiring decision.

• Conduct Reference Checks – Conduct reference checks regardless of whether or not you think you will receive any information. When interviewing, ask the employee who they work for and then contact their previous managers, supervisors or human resource departments. By the tone of their voice, lack of information or answering the following

question, “Would you rehire this employee?,” you will gain insight into whether or not you should hire this individual.

Do not conduct personal references and conduct professional/ job-related references back over the three (3) previous jobs.

• Background Investigations – Conduct background investigations with a credible firm that will check previous addresses to include outside of your county and/or state.

Background investigations can include criminal, driving record, workers’ comp and a number of other important areas.

• Testing – There are a number of skills and personality tests that are extremely valid indicators of job success. Don’t hesitate to contact SESCO for a list of these tests which would include honesty, drug use, physical ability, mechanical ability, customer service, accounting and administrative type tests, etc.

In summary, it is critical that employers work through this process very diligently so, again, that the right person can be hired the first time. Sure, it takes a little longer and may cost a little money but in the end, you will stabilize your turnover, provide good labor service to your valued clients as well as maintain a high level of morale and productivity within your current workforce.

Discipline/Termination Now we all know that a reality of operating and managing a business is that not all employees are worthy of an opportunity within their organization. And frankly, most organizations know

early on whether or not an employee is going to work out.

Indicators include lateness or absenteeism, lack of interest and development, poor teamwork, lack of attention to details and customer service, etc.

During the first 30, 60 or 90 days (orientation period), an employee needs to be trained and coached very closely by a mentor or manager. This initial period of time is crucial to determine whether or not the individual is going to work out and to ensure that we provide proper training and orientation to the employee so that they are successful.

So many employers say to a new employee, “Come to work, do a good job and we’ll take care of you.” They send them off to work with another technician and that is basically the training and orientation program. Most employees will either quit or have to be fired because of the lack of training and orientation in a situation like this.

As a footnote, during the first 30, 60 or 90 days, there are no special protections for the employer for termination. An employee can file an EEOC charge after the first day on the job. However, pending the state that you operate in, normally if we separate within the first 20 or so working days, then our unemployment rate is not affected, if we win the unemployment claim.

It is incumbent upon employers to ensure that all employees, especially new employees receive:

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• Job description – list of essential job functions and expectations to include quality outcome.

• Employee handbook – rules and policies.

• Ongoing training and coaching.

• Psychic and compensation rewards for doing a good job or remove poor behavior – sooner rather than later.

If an employer allows mediocre or poor behavior to hang around, your employees who are working hard, showing up on time and doing a good job will become frustrated. Eventually, your workforce culture and behavior will be reduced to the lowest common denominator, again, if we allow mediocre behavior to hang around.

Further, labor costs are your number one controllable costs, and as such, employers cannot afford to allow mediocre behavior to hang around.

When an employer recognizes that an employee just simply doesn’t seem to be a good fit or the performance or behavior is such that requires attention to include separation, it is critical that the owner/manager sit down with that individual. They need to communicate directly to include policies/rules as well as our concerns as compliance to our expectations. If we haven’t articulated our expectations as noted above, we will then be at a disadvantage. As such, it is critical to articulate expectations via the job description and employee handbook.

If the behavior is such early on that the owner/manager is concerned, you can bet the behavior is not going to improve over time. Normally, the employee will put his or her best foot forward during the first month or two of work. In these cases where there is concern, an employer is best to sit down with the employee and ask for his or her resignation in that the employment relationship is just not working out and subsequently articulate the reasons why. If the employee refuses to resign, then the employer should let the employee know that we are separating for cause.

When an employer terminates early on in the employment relationship, it is less important that the progressive discipline process be engaged. This process includes verbal, at least one or more written disciplinary actions, and in certain cases, suspension up to and including termination. SESCO suggests that this process be greatly shortened, especially during the first 30, 60 or 90 days as, again, it is apparent that regardless of our efforts the employee probably will not be successful and work out.

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Always document all actions to include any verbal correction, written disciplinary action up to and including termination. Even if the employee quits, you should maintain a record of the resignation to include date and time and, hopefully, signature of the employee.

In Summary

Follow us on social media or for more information on our products, visit www.duravent.com

The difference between a growing and successful organization, versus one that becomes stagnant and profit margins tight, are the ones that develop the necessary systems and subsequently hire and manage their employees proactively. For an organization to be truly successful, you must surround yourself with those who are worthy of an opportunity and will support your organization’s mission, vision and values and enhance your reputation and services – not erode them.

SESCO Management Consultants is the Guilds preferred human resource management consulting firm and available at special retainer rates starting at $25.00 (less than 10 employees) and $40.00 (10 or more employees). Please contact William E. Ford, President at 423-764-4127 or bill@sescomgt.com.

www.duravent.com 800-835-4429 M&G DuraVent Inc. ©2014

16 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

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SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 17

BY CARTER HARKINS, SPARK MARKETER

The Trap of Busy Season Marketing

A

card. And once it’s done, you brace yourself, and wait for the season to take off again and carry you along for the ride.

If you are a sweep, then you are no stranger to the seasonality of the business. It can be feast or famine. You work hard when the work is there. Crazy long days in sometimes ugly weather seems to be the price you pay to get caught up on the bills, invest back in your business, and hopefully put a little bit away to help you stretch across the finish line and do it all again next year.

The Effect Always Lags the Effort

ll around the country in the northern climes, the first hints of autumn are already appearing. While nature prepares for a cycle of dormancy and rest, most chimney sweeps are gearing up, booking full schedules and preparing to enter their busiest season.

If you are like most sweeps, you have probably done a little local marketing in preparation for the busy season. This may have consisted of some print advertising in coupon circulars, or perhaps some increased online advertising such as AdWords.

It’s tough to come up with the money for such advertising, since most of it needs to be spent at the very worst possible moment in the annual cycle of your business, but the fear of not having a great upcoming season is usually enough to help you get creative and find the dollars somewhere, even if it’s a credit

18 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

In marketing terms, we call this “Chasing the Dollars”, and it’s a trap that ensures you will always be a very seasonal business.

The cash flow roller coaster you have been on is not going to stop if this is how you market your business. There are some specific reasons for this, which I’ll outline below.

In almost anything you do in life, you must first put in a tremendous amount of effort before you overcome inertia and gain some momentum. It takes time between the initial effort and the visible results. If you let up on the effort, the effects begin to let up as well. What this means for a seasonal business is that all the marketing and advertising you will do in preparation for your busiest months will have a good effect at the very moment when you are most likely to have a full plate anyway. I wish I had a nickel for every time I have heard a chimney sweep say with a smile, “We are booked 6 weeks out right now!”, as if this were a measure of some kind of success.

It’s not. It’s just a measure of how unprepared you were for the amount of work you got through your marketing efforts. Most

of those scheduled appointments evaporate, because people don’t want to wait for you, no matter how special you are.

That’s lost business. That’s marketing money thrown right down the drain; money that would probably come in pretty handy in June and July. You are spending money to tell your potential customers that you are too busy to serve them. Does this make sense to you?

What if you took some of those marketing dollars and used them to market your business at the very end of your busy season, when it typically begins to slow down? An “early bird” sweeping offer may be just the thing to prolong your season by a month or two. What if you didn’t let up on the marketing, and never lost the momentum you always lose at the end of the season? How would that change your business? Could you grow into something bigger and better with a stable cash flow?

The Off-Season Marketing Challenge Working with chimney service business owners all over the country, we have a unique perspective on the seasonality of the industry, and we can say without hesitation that this industry is only a roller-coaster ride if you want it to be. There are many business owners who have ended the cycle of feast and famine by simply changing a couple of fundamental things.

1. Find complimentary services you can promote during the sweeping off-season. Many sweeps have found dryer vent cleaning to be a very compatible service to offer in their business. Others promote masonry repair work in the warmer months to great success. I realize that this is not a casual consideration, since it requires a business owner to consider the training and tools needed to capitalize on such a service offering. But this is step one to eliminating seasonality in your business.

2. Allocate consistent marketing dollars for every month of the year. This is simple: don’t ever let up. Always put your business out there with a service or an offer which is appropriate for the season, and keep the momentum going.

This can go a long way toward leveling out your cash flow picture and minimizing the effects of seasonal work.

As you head into your busy season, determine that you will not simply ride the roller coaster this year. Spend some time right now thinking about how you can parley your coming windfall into a much more stable and constant business model in the next 12 months. Prepare a budget that gets you moving away from seasonality and toward a business model that puts you in the black 12 months out of the year.

Carter Harkins is a Crew Chief at Spark Marketer, an online marketing agency with over 65 chimney service and hearth clients. He and his partner Taylor Hill understand the cash flow roller-coaster all too well, and have worked hard to change that permanently in their business. They want you to know you can do it too.

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BY RUSS DIMMITT

Insulating liners

O

ne of the common questions we heard from liner suppliers is “Do I have to insulate this stainless liner?”

To answer that question there are many things that have to be considered. Those include but aren’t limited to fuel types, chimney type and condition, and existing clearances.

The first thing we should consider is why we insulate liners.

We insulate liner for two reasons.

One is to keep the flue hotter which prevents condensation.

The act of burning or fire is a chemical reaction wherein the combustible gases of the fuel being burned are ignited. As part

20 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

of that chemical process water is created. How much water gets produced varies with the fuel type and conditions. In a wood burning application that water is combined with unburnt combustible gases and liquids which result in creosote deposits if they condense in the flue. An important part of venting any appliance is ensuring all the products of combustion including the water produced are kept from condensing in the flue. That is accomplished by keeping the flue gases as warm as possible for as long as possible.

The second reason we insulate is to prevent heat transfer to surrounding combustibles. By insulating the liner significantly less heat is transferred to the surrounding combustibles. In addition insulating the liner provides easier startups and

less smoking; an insulated liner is required to meet the UL requirements for a listed system in many cases; insulation may be necessary to maintain warranty coverage; and insulation provides peace of mind that the installation is the best you can make it.

Facts of insulation Let’s first consider masonry chimney clearances to combustibles.

We have asked thousands of installers over the last 20 plus years if they have seen a chimney with proper clearances. I can vouch that less than 1% of the installers have ever seen a chimney with proper clearances they did not construct themselves. Based on that fact you need to assume the chimney has improper clearances and needs to be treated as such, meaning the liner should be insulated.

The fuel type often dictates the liner must be insulated. Wood and coal burning appliances have to be insulated in every case to meet UL Listing requirements. UL requirements aside performance of the appliance and heat transfer to surrounding combustibles make insulating the liner the proper decision.

The flue gas temperatures of both wood and gas burning appliances are such that heat transfer is a major concern considering the incorrect clearance to combustibles that nearly every masonry chimney exhibits. The reason this heat transfer is a concern is the pyrolysis of the surrounding combustibles.

In a nutshell pyrolysis is the process by which a combustible material exposed to heat changes in such a way as to have a lower ignition temperature. There have been many studies done by various intellectuals (and some who only think they are intellectuals) that have found a fully pyrolized wood beam will ignite at less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit. By insulating the liner we have eliminated or greatly reduced the incidence of pyrolysis in the combustibles surrounding the chimney.

Gas, oil and pellet burning appliances generally have lower flue gas temperatures so heat transfer is a lesser concern and in many cases insulation of the liner is not required to meet the UL criteria. That does not necessarily eliminate the need to insulate the liner. One of the primary reasons a liner is insulated is to reduce or eliminate condensation in the flue. By keeping the flue gases warmer we not only deal with the possible problems associated with condensation but pick up added benefits. The warmer flue gases create a draft more easily. A better draft and a draft achieved more quickly will positively affect the appliance’s performance regardless of fuel type.

Types of insulation There are two basic types of insulation used with chimney liners. Both have specific instances where they excel and other areas where they don’t. Which insulation you choose will depend on the individual job and what the comparative costs might be.

thickness of insulation is required to achieve the UL Listing. Be sure to check the specific mix you use for the details. One of the areas where the pour-in mixes excel is where the liner only has minimal clearances and a wrapped liner would be difficult to install. As long as you can achieve the proper insulation thickness a pour in mix is ideal for allowing the unwrapped liner to go down the flue more easily. The downside to the pour-in mixes is they do need to be mixed with water. Failure to mix the product with water can allow the insulation mix to flow through small gaps and end up in unwanted places. One of the challenges with a poured insulation is centering the liner to ensure the proper thickness is attained. This becomes particular challenging in offset flues.

The second common form of insulation is a foil faced ceramic wrap. The liner is wrapped with a blanket insulation and the insulation is secured with tape, a stainless steel mesh, and clamping system. The wraps are ideal in situations where there is plenty of room and minimal snags. One of the downsides of the wraps is the bulk and the weight they add to the liner you are delivering down the flue. Tight flues present another major hurdle- it may be difficult or impossible to pull the insulated liner into the proper position.

In making the decision which insulation product to use several factors come into play: 1) Is the chimney straight or offset? It is difficult to get the poured insulations past an offset. Offset flues also increase the challenges when installing a wrapped liner.

2) Cost can also become a factor: flues with little room around the liner see the cost advantage going to poured insulations.

On the flip side larger flues see a the cost advantage going to an insulation wrap because of the volume of poured insulation required.

3) Ease of installation is another factor to consider.

4) Most of all just like some people prefer Pepsi to Coke and visa versa - some prefer wrap insulation over poured and visa versa.

Does testing support no insulation?

Over the years various liner manufacturers have tested at UL and to UL standards at other laboratories. It has been proven time and again that it is impossible to pass the UL 1777 zero clearance tests for wood burning appliances without insulation.

There have been some manufacturers who have said that insulation is not necessary with their product. Look upon those statements with a great deal of skepticism. If you are told no insulation is necessary to achieve the UL 1777 zero clearance Listing obtain a letter from the manufacturer stating no insulation is needed and the installation instructions stating the same. Chances are once you dig through the smoke and mirrors related to the finer details you will find a system which cannot be achieved in a real world scenario.

So, back to the original question

One of the two types is a pour- in insulation typically comprised of an insulation material such as vermiculite and Portland cement. The insulation is mixed with water to activate the Portland cement and hold the mix together. In most cases a 1”

The answer to “Do I have to insulate this liner” is always yes.

For a safer system, for a better performing system and for a happier customer….the answer is “yes.”

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 21

BY MARGE PADGITT

MCSC member participants help to install the new chimney. (There may be too many)

Midwest Chimney Safety Council Completes Charity Project for Scout Camp The Midwest Chimney Safety Council, based in Independence, Missouri, completed the installation of a high efficiency woodburning stove and stainless steel chimney at the Lake of the Ozarks Scout Reservation August 10, 2014.

Earlier this year MCSC Vice President Steve Hoover of Lucky Sweep Services and Sales in Versailles, Missouri contacted Reservation Ranger Steve Willsie about the prospect of a charity project at the Ranger’s home at Camp Hohn in Gravois Mills.

Willsie agreed that using the renewable resource of wood to

22 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

heat the home was environmentally responsible and would cut heating bills.

The event also featured classes and demonstrations for the 20 gathered hearth and chimney professionals who assisted with the stove installation project. The installation was funded by industry suppliers. The Ventis Powder coated chimney and Double wall connector were donated by Olympia Chimney Supply; the Heatilator Stove was donated by Heatilator and HMI Fireplace Shop in Osage Beach, Missouri; and the Asian Slate

Hearth Pad and CO/Smoke alarms were donated by Copperfield Chimney Supply. The labor for the installation was provided

by Midwest Chimney Safety Council member completely free of charge. The project was planned and coordinated by Steve Hoover.

Hoover states, “We were grateful for the opportunity to provide and install a great product for a great organization. Today’s high efficiency, wood-burning appliances operate “clean and green” with efficiency ratings exceeding 75%. Many people are finding wood heat to be an attractive alternative to fossil fuels, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide this experience for Camp Hohn.”

The MCSC held its annual meeting and classes at the camp which included a chase top and flashing workshop by Garry Hart of Aaron’s Chimney in High Ridge, Missouri, a Personal Risk Management class by Lisa Hatcher of Legal Shield, and a poured formed cement crown workshop headed by Steve Hoover. Participants got hands-on experience building chase tops and making poured crowns.

The Midwest Chimney Safety Council offers chimney and fireplace safety and operation classes by experts in the industry to the public and professionals. The organization was founded in 2000 and now has approximately 120 members in 13 states.

A list of professional chimney sweeps, technicians, chimney builders and hearth installers can be found on MCSC website at www.mcsc-net.org.

Gene Padgitt, Steve Willsie, Steve Hoover, and Mike Mathews pose in front of the new Ventis Class A Chimney

For more information contact MCSC President Marge Padgitt at 816-461-3665 or ympadgitt@yahoo.com.

Steve Hoover checks the installation

Steve Willsie and Steve Hoover stand in front of the newly installed Heatilator wood-burning stove SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 23

BY DANA QUIGLEY

Wisconsin Guild of Chimney Service Specialists Easter Seals Workshop May 6, 2014

President Jim Collar (London Aire Services, Forrest Lake, MN) welcomed everyone to this year’s camp.

He explained housekeeping rules. He had everybody introduce themselves around the room. Jim C. introduced John Pilger who conducted a seminar on the “Darwin Awards” code violations video presentation.

There were pictures from all around the country of various chimney installs. Although humorous from a professional’s view, it showed how sad and potentially hazardous it is in the real world. This included all types of masonry, Class-A, fireplaces, woodstoves and components.

Stuart Karanovich from Saver Systems conducted our next class on Poultice Creosote Remover (PCR). He discussed the various brands of chemical applications and mechanical means of removal, and how poultice absorbs chemically, the glazed creosote, over a short period of time. Stuart explained how it is less messy than some of the other products available, dries and crinkles the glazed creosote, for simple clean removal. Stuart demonstrated the proper mixing of PCR and how to apply it to the flue with a winch and sponges pulling up a flue. Because we could not find a real world glazed flue, a couple sweeps brought a few glazed flue tiles to demo on by hand.

We will speed dry the flue tile over a campfire tonight. Mixing PCR 1 pail should cover about 2025’ of flue height. When applying the PCR, you must take all precautions necessary to protect the smoke shelf and firebox for dripping and run over to interior and rooftop areas. Stuart stated to mix PCR 1:1 with water – 5 gal to 5 gal. After lunch Stuart discussed the “Paint N Peel” applications and reformulated product to be more fluid than last year. We then did a reapplication of a large fireplace face, which needed a follow-up to a small area we did last year. He said we should have pushed it into the irregular surfaces and thicker coating.

Back up on the roofs, Stuart explained the Saver Systems “Crack & Joint” product, in conjunction with “Chimney Saver Water Repellant”. It is best to apply “Chimney Saver” before hand, for better effectiveness of both products. Also to protect roof and chimney components, he suggested

24 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

on ds presentati Darwin Awar e th ng ti en pres John Pilger spraying water on those areas before any application to prevent any staining or discoloration later. He explained the chemical characteristics of the capillary structure of masonry materials. For applying, it is best to start at lowest level, and work your way up to top. While surfaces are still wet use the “Crack and Joint Sealer” on cracks up to 1/8” separations. You should use the “bed or head” brushes, dipping the tip only, to work into cracks. Wipe off excess from brick or stone surfaces, to avoid a film or stain later.

Stuart Karanovich of SaverSystems conducts the Crack and Joint Se aler and Chimney Saver Workshop open air instruct ional

May, 7,2014 Chimney Crown Installation: Jasper Drengler (Chimney Mechanix, Shawano, WI) welcomed everyone and explained how we were going to remove the existing mortar wash, evaluate the conditions that caused the failure and interior masonry components. He discussed safety precautions, protective equipment for personal and property protection. We proceeded to remove the top mortar wash; plywood rotted out and rusted galvanized metal. The top course of stonework came loose, which was reset and mortared to level and square, for the crown forms to be set.

We discussed various ways to seal the corners, joints and bond breaks, as well as B.I.A. specifications. Of course, being Wisconsin, we had to take a break because of a rainstorm, thunder and hail. An hour later we re-grouped, mixed cement and poured 10 bags of cement, and finished the pour.

Jasper D rengler (C himney M rooftop echanix, hands-on Shawano Chimney , WI) ins Crown R tructs eplaceme nt Semin ar

After lunch we proceeded to another building for “Saver Systems Chamber Coat Cerfractory”. Stuart K. explained the product research and development. He explained the application equipment, proper mixing of material, to flow

as fluid slurry and adjustment of pressure for various applications. He discussed personal and property safety procedures to be taken. Stuart performed the application process as a secondary, follow-up to same chamber as last year. With the summary of the “Chamber Coat Cerfractory Foam”, we strolled over to the building we did that “Paint N Peel” application yesterday for the peel portion to complete.

5/8/14 Thursday morning, we joined up at the nearby “Respite Camp” area for a pre-fab fireplace complete removal, and installation of a Valor gas fireplace seminar by Mark Maynard (The Chimney Guy, Menasha, WI).

Mark’s intro explained differences between direct vent and natural draft fireplaces, types of liners for venting, as well as efficiencies of radiant and convection fireplaces. He described the choosing of proper size of fireplace, and measuring out for specification requirements. Mark answered everyone’s questions as he went along.

He outlined the removal process, top to bottom, with things being a bit easier since Bill Majrewski (Goldens Chimney Lining, Princeton, WI) conducts the tile facing was going to be replaced the Chimney Chase Cover Replacement Workshop with new tiling. It was all hands on deck for the disassembly of the existing unit and chimney system. Next properly reframing for the new Valor gas fireplace and chimney, to maintain clearances, the manufacture’s minimum requirements, for hearth, header, and standoffs.

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 25

Mark explained the venting pipe variables, fire stops, and installation differences by models/manufactures. Hybrid fireplaces can be co-axial or co-linear pipe. He discussed wiring grounding for gas line piping, CCST specifically, & certified electrician per local codes and manufactures requirements, industrial versus residential installations, states and localities vary greatly

edges and a raised center flue collar. Most importantly always wear protective eyewear, leather gloves and earplugs if using power tools for cutting the metal. It is critical to measure carefully twice, to cut it right the first time.

He discussed availability by ordering from most chimney supply distributors, using their custom order forms, or using your local sheet metal fabricator.

Mark discussed termination caps, wall pass through, & setting the fireplace unit, as well as connecting the venting pipe. He explained air temps relation to gas flame colors, colder air being blue versus warm air being more yellow/ orange flame color.

He explained the option of removing the chase cover initially on the first visit for interior chimney evaluation or better to probably do the evaluation on your return trip for installation to save some time and money. You should mount the chase cover with stainless screws through side drip edges and not through top surfaces.

Mark continued with proper sizing of gas lines, the different types of pipe, capacities of gas lines for entire system and natural or LP gas. We then proceeded to complete the installation, placement, secureing, and venting thru existing chimney chase to top.

After lunch break, we returned to complete installing the mantel and finishing the tile facing around the new fireplace. Of course, the initial startup indicated checking the gas pressure and spark igniter with discussing the owner’s manual, curing, and maintenance schedule. Mark ended the workshop summarizing installation work and answering any more questions.

Bill Majewski (Golden Flue Lining Princeton, WI) began the class explaining the need for chimney chase cover replacement, the rust corrosion deterioration, water leakage or animal invasion. He discussed the various metals, galvanized, powder coated colors to match dĂŠcor of exterior accents, stainless steel, aluminum, or copper.

Bill explained the need for a top surface breaks, exterior drip

Bill demonstrated how to bend sheet metal using a metal break. Most of the time, it is more efficient to order from chimney suppliers, or your local sheet metal shop. After the actual sheet metal bending part of the workshop, we all proceeded to the rooftop for proper installation of the Olympia stainless steel chase cover, storm collar, and rain cap.

Thursday night we all gathered for our seminar banquet, celebrating our Easter Seals Camp, workshop projects completed. This was also the time we could officially thank our many manufactures, distributor’s, and suppliers for their generous contributions of time and product materials.

There was a raffle held as a benefit to WGCSS, so members could take home more than just pictures and memories.

er Seals Camp r the 2014 East fo s ee e nd te at nquet and raffl rs and all the sday evening ba ur Th WGCSS membe t ou r te Seminars af Workshop and

26 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Call for Nominations: Board of Directors When you serve on the NCSG Board of Directors, you help lead the chimney industry into the future and can develop leadership, management and communication skills that will serve you in your business and personal life. You can make an immediate difference in the chimney service industry by helping to determine the organizations’ strategic plan and annual budget. The new shorter two-year term limits make volunteering easier!

NCSG board members are responsible for:

• A ttending four board meetings each year: Two of the meetings are held at the CSIA Technology Center in Indianapolis (Spring- typically held for three days, Summer- typically held for two days), the November meeting is usually held online via and via teleconference and the fourth is held immediately before the NCSG convention at the host city. Travel and lodging expenses are reimbursed for board members attending, with the exception of the convention meeting only.

• Participating in the NCSG members-only and board of directors’ electronic discussion lists.

• Welcoming new and reinstated members to the organization via phone calls and email

• Connecting members to regional legislation affecting the industry

And NCSG board members receive:

• Complimentary NCSG National Convention registration for you and your spouse while you serve on the board.

• N etworking opportunities at board meetings which help develop life-long friendships with business associations from across the country.

The NCSG Governance Committee is now accepting nominations for the following positions:

Region 1: 2 year term Represents: Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire Region 5: 2 year term Represents: Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana

At Large Director #1: 2 year term Represents: National Membership At Large Supplier Member: 2 year term Represents: Supplier and Dual (supplier/manufacturer) members nationally

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 27

NewNCSG Members

NCSG REGIONS

REGION 1 MASSACHUSETTS Greg Pyden • Rockwell Masonry, Inc. • Edgartown

REGION 1 REGION 4 MISSOURI Ronald L. Ruckman • RLR Masonry Inc. • St. Louis

Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

MICHIGAN Kevin June • Clean Sweep Chimney Company • Highland

REGION 2 Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

REGION 3 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia

REGION 4 Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio

REGION 5 Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin

NCSG Charter Members Paul Bourque, Huntsville, AL

Dale Meisinger, N. Augusta, SC

Don Leavitt, San Diego, CA

Alan Hisey, St. Louis, MO

David Harris, Broken Arrow, OK

Eva B. Horton, Greenwich, CT

Dan Wheeler, Santa Rosa, CA

Harry Richart, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

John Cline, Menlo Park, CA

28 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

REGION 6 Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

CSIA Update SEPTEMBER REPORT

www.CSIA.org

Chimney Safety Institute of America’s third National Chimney Sweep Training School of 2014, held Aug. 11-16, exposed 21 students to the best practices of our chimney sweep trade. Sixteen earned their CCS credential. Almost all had swept before, but said they gained new knowledge that will help them on the job. It was all about ...

Sweeps reaching new heights

“Making the relationships, and learning about other people and their businesses and what they do, sharing the information and the stories, that’s the best part.”

-- Lorraine Davis Buckeye Stove, Fredericktown, Ohio

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SEPTEMBER REPORT

www.CSIA.org

CSIA making changes to Successful Chimney Sweeping Manual, retests Following the August 7 meeting of the board of directors, CSIA President Mark A. Stoner announced some important changes to: CSIA’s Successful Chimney Sweeping manual; certification fees; waiting period for retests; a whitepaper on after-market parts; logo violations; and the popularity of csia.org.

Chimney Safety Institute of America is always trying to stay responsive to the needs of our chimney sweep community. ** The Successful Chimney Sweeping manual and testing are scheduled for a full rewrite in the upcoming 12 to 18 months, which means a release date by 2016. The SCS manual was revised and updated in October 2011, the eighth edition. The subject material in CSIA’s in-person and online review, along with the exams, are improved on an as-needed basis or as warranted.

Stoner said as many as 1,000 sweeps will be contacted through the 2014-2015 study year to “help participate in the project by helping us understand your daily activities as a chimney professional in your area.”

Until a new edition is published, sweeps should continue to rely upon the 2011 edition of the SCS manual, along with the 2013 edition of the NFPA 211, and the 2006 IRC. ** The annual certification fee that CSIA charges will remain the same for 201415 — $159 for those who are also in the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and $209 for those that are not NCSG members.

Fees for books/reviews/exams will also remain the same. (Our pricing is discussed in the certification renewal area of csia. org.) ** The waiting period for re-testing following a failure of either the CCS or C-DET exam is now 14 days, instead of 30 days, effective immediately.

Sweeps or techs can still take the test as many times as they need if they fail within one year of the original testing date, and the fees are at a reduced rate. ** CSIA’s board is exploring the possibility of constructing a new multipurpose facility on land CSIA owns adjacent to our 10,000-squarefoot Technology Center at 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, Indiana.

This facility would be designed to accommodate more classrooms and equipment, so we could offer additional year-round training, such as indoor masonry classes. “We’ve opened up talks to look into the feasibility in building another building. This is a step in the right direction for us. Part of building anything is the cost, and how are you going to fund that cost,” Stoner said. “So we are starting off with a very conservative plan.” ** A portion of proceeds from CSIA’s annual auction, in concert with manufacturers donations, is being used to pay for a white paper on the use of after-market parts. That white paper will include testing at Intertek labs. CSIA is hoping the project will be finished this Fall to present to the National Chimney Sweep Guild members, as well as CSIA CCS chimney sweeps. We understand how important this issue is to our sweep population. ** The topic of CSIA and NCSG logo violators have been talked about on many social networking sites, and Stoner wants all sweeps to know we take the issue very seriously.

As the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician trademarks continue to gain value, it has become more common for those who do not hold the credentials to hold themselves out as certified.

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CSIA.org continues record pace View your profile online | csia.org We expect another record-setting year for csia.org, the industry’s No. 1 website for helpful consumer information, where homeowners can turn to. Google Analytics tells us that the number of page views to the site from Jan. 1-July 27, 2014 is up 15 percent (406,363 vs. 353,249) compared to the same period in 2013. Also, the number of individual web users is up 71.9 percent (179,306 vs 104,255) and sessions is up 61 percent.

CSIA.org is also up dramatically from the same period in 2012 and 2011.

How this matters to our sweeps? When our numbers go up, your numbers are going up.

If you find that a non-certified person is using our trademark, please let us know via the reporting form on our website so that we can continue to protect our trademarks.

On that page, we list “how to report violators.”

Put simply, what you need to do is send as much documentation about the violation as you can — that can involve getting yellow pages photocopies, a “screen-grab” on a website, photos of the offenders’ van or equipment, anything you can think of.

Just one complaint is sufficient, and sweeps can be rest assured that our offices are diligent about taking every measure to ensure that the offender get compliant or remove all NCSG and CSIA material.

The board is also planning to review our procedures for potential updates.

We’ll keep you posted on the progress and any changes that are made.

SEPTEMBER REPORT

www.CSIA.org

“This will be the most comprehensive study on the chimney sweep trade that has ever been performed. This data will help us create the best possible manual, review and test in our industry’s history.”

-- Mark A. Stoner CSIA President

New CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps Congrats!

Arizona Ben Gowers | National Chimney | Phoenix Florida John Eric Nix | Doodlebuggers Service Network | Pensacola Illinois Matt Haley | Lindemann Chimney | Lake Bluff, IL Indiana Danny Harlow | T.J.’s Chimney Sweep | Greenfield

Ashley Eldridge, left, Director of Education with Chimney Safety Institute of America, looks over architectural renderings with CSIA President Mark A. Stoner. CSIA is studying the feasibility of expansion of CSIA headquarters.

James Kohnen | Chimney Doctors | Apple Valley Robert McCarty | Chimney Doctors | Apple Valley Missouri Adam Bacon | Dr. Soot Chimney Sweep LLC | Sunrise Beach

Texas John Marshall | Archangel’s Safer Chimneys | Wichita Falls Vermont Shaun Beyette | Vermont Master Chimney Sweeps | Weston

New Jersey James P. Milne | Pittstown North Carolina Craig Noble Smith, II | Owens Chimney Systems | Charlotte David Hixson | Owens Chimney Systems | Charlotte Oklahoma J.D. Foss | Clean Dean’s Chimney Sweep Service | Tulsa

Kansas Zackary Darpinian | Full Service Chimney | Olathe

Jacob McKinney | Clean Dean’s Chimney Sweep Service | Tulsa

Kentucky James Tahney | All American Chimney Service | Louisville

Pennsylvania Paul Woite | Estates Chimney Sweep, Inc. | Chalfont

Minnesota Tyler Sloan | 2nd Generation Chimneys/Alpha Air Corp. | Blaine

Matt Johnston | Johnston’s Chimney Sweep, Inc. | West Newton

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New CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technicans - Congrats!

Colorado Carlos Gonzales-Torrez | Service Monkey | Silverthorne Delaware Isaac Sacra | County Appliance Service LLC | Dover New Jersey Walter Durda, Jr. | A Fox Services | Clifton Darren Ferrante | McPuff Chimney Services, LLC | Branchburg North Carolina Lonnie Harp | 2nd Generation Chimneys | Blaine

SEPTEMBER REPORT CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps, Renewed with CEUs Colorado Dan Akers | Service Monkey | Silverthorne Massachusetts Bryan LeBlanc | On Duty Chimney Sweep | Ashburnham Missouri Glen Simmons | Sleep Easy Chimney Services | Kansas City New York John Paul Lyday | Stone Mountain Masonry | Wellsville Oregon Steven Pietila | American Chimney + Masonry, Inc. | Portland Pennsylvania Matthew Himes | Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps, Inc. | New Cumberland Matthew Johnson | Anderson’s Chimney Sweeps, Inc. | New Cumberland South Carolina Bill Kline | Chim Cheree, the Chimney Specialists | Greer Tennessee Clyde Knox | Ashbusters Chimney Services, Inc. | Smyrna Wyoming Larry James | High Country Stoves & Chimneys| Laramie

Get CSIA Certified: Sign up!

Chimney Sweep Review and Exam Sept. 19 - Atlantic City, NJ Oct. 10 - Albany, NY Nov. 14 - Plainfield, IN (last for 2014)

www.CSIA.org

National Chimney Safety Week ‘14 Sept. 28-Oct. 4 | on csia.org, CSIA social media, and in your media market

BE READY FOR THE MEDIA: USE CSIA! The Chimney Safety Institute of America expects news media interest about the need for chimney inspections and sweeping to be unusally high following a historically cold winter throughout the United States. National Chimney Safety Week 2014 runs Sept. 28 through October 4.

DO YOUR PART

THE POWER OF CHIMNEY CHECK This year, we are reviving a popular CSIA marketing effort, Chimney Check Plus. CSIA will send news releases to news media -- print, radio station and television -- in every zip code that we have a CSIA certified chimney sweep.

We’ll be sending them a news release as well as op-ed. Many media outlets will publish this material, and others will want to interview a qualified professional.

We’re using a vendor, Meltwater, to reach markets large and small, leaving no stone unturned!

We want our CSIA CCS pros to be the go-to contact in their media market! So be ready!

Ahead of safety week, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @chimney_safety.

We’ll be using #ChimneyWeek to share significant industry facts. Use the hashtag to join in the conversation. Sweeps, you can share the #ChimneyWeek facts with homeowners in your area, and we encourage homeowners to share the information with family and friends.

* Make sure you are referring homeowners to the free resources on csia.org, also the chimney industry’s No. 1 resource for referrals! * Log on to your individual profile on the csia.org portal. Refer to the “Working with Traditional Media” section to see items you can send to the press yourself.

(Several sweeps already have established relationships with news media.) * Share videos that are on CSIA’s YouTube page, ChimneySafetyUSA; CCS sweeps also get downloadable how-to videos for their site. Just ask! E-mail Tom at tspalding@csia.org. * Need a list of all the media in your service area? E-mail Tom at tspalding@ csia.org and he can send it to you. * Contact CSIA Marketing and Communications Director Tom Spalding if you need assistance with talking points, at tspalding@csia.org. Let Tom know when your story airs! *To help media seeking your expertise, list a cell phone on your website and voice mail.

Sweep One For Zack

National Chimney Sweep Training School Sept. 22-27 - Plainfield, IN (last for 2014) C-DET Review and Exam Sept. 18 - Atlanta, GA C-DET Workshop Nov. 6-7 - Plainfield, IN (last for 2014)

2014-15

How to donate online

http://www.gofundme.com/c7x0uc

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Zack Darpinian, of Olathe, Kansas, one of our industry’s newest Certified Chimney Sweeps, was critically injured in a car accident and a fund has been established to assist in his recuperation. Chimney Safety Institute of America is working with Zack’s employer, Full Service Chimney, to directly send proceeds to an account to assist Zack’s family and fiancee with help recuperating. We encourage sweeps to donate the proceeds from one chimney sweeping, but more is appreciated.

Progressive Perks

BY DEBBIE CORNELIUS MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Need Human Resource Support?

SESCO Management Consultants, the country’s oldest HR consulting firm, will provide you with priority HR support as a member of the NCSG. Whether it’s an employee termination, healthcare reform question, policy development, etc., SESCO will help you stay in compliance with federal and state employment regulations.

As a client of SESCO you will receive:

1. Hotline- Effective assistance in HR compliance issues, review of HR systems, wage data, etc. As experts in federal and state employment regulations, SESCO will offer assistance in

handling issues such as terminations, discipline, performance, recruitment and retention, etc.

2. The SESCO Report, SESCOS’s monthly newsletter will be provided

3. Employee handbook/policy review 4. And much, much more!

The cost to provide the above services ranges from $25-$40 per month based on the size of your organization and an annual contract.

50% More FlashSeal....Free Available at Participating Distributors September 1st

Get 1.5 Gallons For the Price of a 1 Gallon Promotional 1.5 gal size available at our participating distributors starting September 1st.

Offer available while supplies last. Call 800-860-6327 for more info.

For Sales Leads, Register Your Business on Chimneysaver.com SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 33

History Project

BY CLAIRE RUTLEDGE

Early American Chimney Sweeping Techniques and Tools

A

wonderful recent addition to our collection is a limited edition American Chimney Sweeps: An Historical Account of a Once Important Trade. This book was written in the 1950s – before the boom of our modern industry. The book itself has passed hands many times, as evidenced by the number of scribbled names on the front two pages. The black and white marbled paper cover has signs of wear and tear, although not on the spine. This means that either the owners were very careful as they read, or hardly read it at all. It seems more likely that the numerous owners were rather careful than negligent, given the fascinating stories inside. On the pages you will find a social, technical, political, and economic narrative of American chimney sweeping. Let’s focus on how the book describes early American chimney sweeping techniques, codes, and standards.

The first examples of American regulations, codes, and techniques bear a striking resemblance to those of Britain, as the colonies were still under the yoke of British rule. In Ireland, fowl were sometimes used to knock soot and creosote off chimney walls. In rural America, a similar technique would be used. A large goose with a rope around its neck would be yanked up and down a chimney many times as it beat its wings to escape. The longer the poor bird was kept in the chimney, the blacker it got, giving rise of the notion of the black goose: “The blacker the bird, the cleaner the chimney” (p 7). Another British practice that was used in the American colonies was intentionally setting a chimney on fire. However, the chimneys of Wales and the Isle of Man where the technique originated were built of stone, not abundant wood and plaster like American chimneys (p 8). Not surprising, many colonists’ homes burned.

Another set of techniques developed out of a plethora of cheap labor. There was no economic incentive for colonists to engineer new remote tools when a small boy or slave could fit into the chimney and do the same job for a fraction of the monetary cost (although they soon came to understand the human cost of such hazardous work). Setting out in the morning, a sweep could haggle with a homeowner before climbing up on the roof and

34 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

trying a multitude of methods based on the type of chimney. A nice, big, and straight chimney would call for the sweep to stand over the chimney while he lowered a long handled broom. If the chimney had a few nooks, he could crawl in with a brush and scraper. A narrow and straight chimney called for a canvas bag filled with bricks to be pounded into the chimney. For stubborn buildup, a sweep at each end would climb in and saw away with a “bundle of brushwood,” corn vines, or chain (p 13).

After the removal of soot, the head sweep would filter out the cinders and resell it as fertilizer or insecticide (p14).

It may seem surprising, but very early on towns and colonies had their own codes and industry standards. Charleston, NC created a building code in 1689, stating all chimneys must be made of brick or stone and any wood or plaster chimneys must be destroyed (p 3). In 1787, Philadelphia set down its own rules on who could sweep. After paying a fee of 7 shillings – roughly $180 today – sweeping company employees would be issued a certificate and metal badge. This badge was sewn onto their hats and a fine of 10 shillings – or $250 currently – was handed out to any sweep that could not show his badge (p 24). Boston had instituted a similar policy in 1786. New Amsterdam – later to be named New York – created the position of “Firemaster” in 1648 for officials who inspected chimneys (p 4). These inspectors’ only responsibility was to inspect chimneys and fine any homeowner found to be neglecting the maintenance. Fines could range from 10 to 40 shillings or $250 - $1,000 today. The job of Firemaster became so unpleasant that to turn down an appointment by the town council could have cost you $1,000 in contemporary money (p 5).

American Chimney Sweeps: An Historical Account of a Once Important Trade, is a wonderfully rich retelling of early American chimney sweeping. Not delving into its accuracy, the book offers insight into the complexities of codifying, sweeping techniques, and attempts at standardization. If ever you run across this book, I highly suggest sitting down to read it – especially if you wear a top hat to get into 18th century character.

Dates & Events September 1-7, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

September 29 - October 5, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

September 8-14, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

October 6-12, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

September 12, 2014 SaverSystems – Richmond, Indiana HeatShield Installer Factory Training For more information call (800) 860-6327 x105 or email stuartk@ saversystems.com

October 10, 2014 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Quality Inn & Suites Albany Airport Albany, NY For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

September 15-21, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org

October 10, 2014 SaverSystems – Richmond, Indiana HeatShield Installer Factory Training For more information call (800) 860-6327 x105 or email stuartk@ saversystems.com

September 18, 2014 CSIA CDET Review/Exam held in conjunction with NADCA at their fall technical meetings Atlanta, GA For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org September 19, 2014 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel Atlantic City, NJ For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org September 22-27, 2014 CSIA National Chimney Sweep Training School CSIA Technology Center- Plainfield, IN For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org September 22-28, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org September 26, 2014 SaverSystems – Richmond, Indiana HeatShield Installer Factory Training For more information call (800) 860-6327 x105 or email stuartk@ saversystems.com

October 13-19, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 20-26, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org October 24, 2014 SaverSystems – Richmond, Indiana HeatShield Installer Factory Training For more information call (800) 860-6327 x105 or email stuartk@ saversystems.com October 27- November 2, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 3-9, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 35

- CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 6-7, 2014 CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center- Plainfield, IN For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 10-16, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 14, 2014 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® Review & Exams CSIA Technology Center For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 17-23, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning

- Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org November 24-30, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 1-7, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 8-14, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 837-5362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 15-21, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 8375362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 22-28, 2014 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 8375362 or visit www.CSIA.org December 29, 2014 – January 2, 2015 CSIA (online) - Chimney Physics - CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep Review - CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician Review - CSIA eLearning - Health & Safety Multi-User Courses - Lining Masonry Chimneys with Stainless Steel For more information, please call (317) 8375362 or visit www.CSIA.org

36 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Around the Tech Center

August

A

s things finally started to heat up around the Tech Center, board members and staff decided a good way to cool down and support a good cause was to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. The challenge was kicked off by past president, Diane Pilger, who challenged Jeremy Biswell to partake of some ice cold water. The challenge inspired many others to get into the spirit and support the cause.

chimney fire and learn from the experience to enhance their knowledge base.

We also received visit from Terry and Wendy Dearborn who stopped by to visit and helped Claire Rutledge identify the people and stories that go along with photographs in our archive. Also visiting this month was one of our field cats.

Another successful chimney school was conducted at the Tech Center during the month of August. Students got to witness a

SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 37

Energy-Saving Dampers Setting The Standard For

Quality & Durability!

Superior Design • Permanent Cast-Aluminum Construction • Easily Mounts Atop a Flue Tile • Silicone Rubber Prevents Energy Loss • Easy Opening with Power-level Assist • Less Fraying Due to Larger Diameter Cables • Low Profile to Maintain the Authentic Look of the Chimney

Call your favorite Lyemance distributor today!

Lyemance Damper Cap fits over any Lyemance Damper

38 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Darwin Awards Have you snapped a photo of a peculiar chimney in your area that made you shake your head in disbelief?

Send it to editor Darcy Marlett at dmarlett@ncsg.org. for publication in Sweeping. Or, mail it to NCSG, 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168. Include a few words about the scene and location.

“Always a good idea to put drain hole in the top flashing and the cover on prior to the top of the vent.”

-Katie Maynard, The Chimney Guy, LLC in Menasha, WI

Classifieds Gotta chimney question? Sizing?

Codes? Call Royal Edwards! Make Royal your tech department. CALL NOW (813) 982-0219 for on-call tech support.

Continuing Education special bonus – Ask how you can get the Friday-morning e-Blast for FREE. CALL NOW (813) 982-0219 GasVent Software for Sizing Chimneys only $195. Call 1-800-648-9523 for more info and visit www.elitesoft.com to download a free trial version.

Commercial Building with rentals $695K on a busy street. Employees and tons of equipment. Runs smoothly without too much attention . Paid Ads. Quick Payback. Heart Attack. Great Opportunity.

Call Fred Tarantino – (516) 338-2727

Hiring Chimney Sweep Techinicians, Installers & Salesmen. Send resumes to resumes@chimneysolutions.com and visit our website at www.chimneysolutions.com CLASSIFIED ADS FREE FOR NCSG MEMBERS Members can run one 35-word classified free each year! Regular classified ads are $2/word or $1/ word for NCSG members. Classified ads are noncommissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, please contact Sara Sichting at ssitchting@ncsg.org or 317-837-1500.

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SEPTEMBER 14 SWEEPING 39

Cartoon gladly donated by Midtown Sweeps.

Display Ad Index Page #

Advertiser

Phone

Email or Website Address

36

Ahrens Chimney Technique

800-582-1392

ahrenschimney@qwestoffice.net

6

Firesafe Industries, Inc.

800-545-6607

www.firesafeinc.com

38

Gelco, Lyemance, Lock-Top

800-334-2154

www.gllchimneyproducts.com

15 ICP

508-695-7000

www.chimneycaps.com

19

Lindemann Chimney Company

800-722-7230

www.lindemannchimney.com

16

M&G DuraVent

800-835-4429

www.duravent.com

5

National Chimney

800-897-8481

www.nationalchimney.com

7

Olympia Chimney Supply

800-569-1425

www.olympiachimney.com

13 Chimfex

800-637-7807 www.chimfex.com

11

Sand Hill Wholesale

800-258-5496

www.sandhillwholesale.com

33

SaverSystems, Inc

800-860-6327

www.saversystems.com

9

Security Chimneys

800-361-4909

www.securitychimneys.com

3 Smoktite

866-439-0069

www.smoktite.com

39

Sweeps America/Fireside Distributors

866-880-3473

info@sweepsamerica.com

4

Z-Flex (Novaflex)

800-654-5600

www.novaflex.com

速

40 SWEEPING SEPTEMBER 14

Join us February 18– 21 at the Marriott on Penn Square in Lancaster, PA for the best 4 days in the chimney and venting industry!

From the opening party to the closing banquet the National Chimney Sweep Guild National Convention is jam-packed with learning, networking, and fun!

National Chimney Sweep Guild 2155 Commercial Drive Plainfield, IN 46168

1408