PLAINFIELD, Ind. (December 27, 2001) – The Chimney Safety Institute
of America (CSIA) has adopted a stronger policy regarding the use of the CSIA Certified
Chimney Sweep® logo by chimney sweeping companies.
According to Mark McSweeney, CSIA's executive director, consumers now have greater
assurance that all chimney sweeping companies displaying the CSIA Certified Chimney
Sweep logo will have at least one certified individual on the job site performing,
or supervising, the sweeping or inspection services. The previous policy held by
CSIA only required that the owner of the company be certified.
“This new policy helps ensures the public that they're getting
what they expect — quality service by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at every job
site,” noted McSweeney.
The new policy was enacted, in part, to bring the CSIA philosophy of education
and training into agreement with the stated logo use policy. “Our certification
training and educational materials are directed to the service technician, as opposed
to office or support staff and our new logo use policy properly reflects that emphasis,”
stated McSweeney.
“We take logo violations very seriously because of the status of certification
within the industry,” added McSweeney. “The majority of CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps
have adhered to the spirit of this direction for the length of their service. We
are now making it official to protect the hard work and diligence of the many certified
sweeps.”
There are now more than 1,400 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps throughout the United
States. Sweeps earn certification by passing a rigorous test that covers the practice
of sweeping and the codes and standards that pertain to chimney construction, maintenance
and service. CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps also sign a strict code of ethics. To
maintain certification, a chimney sweep must be tested every three years or can
take continuing education through CSIA.
“We want the public to continue to have the utmost confidence in the value of
certification,” added McSweeney. “Their safety is our greatest concern.”
All CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are issued a picture identification card with
an official number when they receive their certification. Consumers can verify if
a chimney sweep has an active certification by contacting the Chimney Safety Institute
of America at 1-800-536-0118 with the number or by visiting the CSIA Web site at
www.csia.org.
About The Chimney Safety Institute of America
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) is a non-profit,
educational organization that offers the only nationally recognized certification
program for chimney sweeps in the United States. The program was developed to help
promote chimney and venting system safety and the elimination of residential chimney
fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney-related safety hazards. CSIA
is committed to educating chimney sweeps, fire prevention specialists, the insurance
industry, and the public about the prevention, maintenance, and correction of chimney
venting system hazards.