Code of Ethics
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In addition to making sure professionals are sufficiently educated and trained to perform their jobs in the field, the CSIA believes it is equally important (if not more so) that professionals who wish to hold a CSIA credential act ethically when interacting with customers. For this reason, each CSIA credential holder must agree to and sign the following Code of Ethics:
I fully acknowledge that certification by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) carries with it certain responsibilities and obligations which may hold me to a higher standard of performance and professional behavior than applicable laws, rules or regulations. In this regard, I pledge:
To learn and utilize all chimney and venting safety practices and techniques that are promoted by CSIA.
To render my services in an honest and fair manner and to refrain from engaging in unfair or deceptive practices or making any unfair or deceptive statements including but not limited to with regard to use of the CSIA logos.
To comply with all applicable building codes in the areas I service, with the manufacturer's installation instructions for the products I install, and with recognized chimney and venting practices.
To promote and educate consumers about safe chimney and venting practices.
To strive to continually update my knowledge, skills, and technique with regard to currently accepted chimney and venting safety practices.
To conduct myself in a decent, respectful, and professional manner when serving in my capacity as a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® or CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®, or when attending a function or event of an organization in the chimney or hearth products industry.
To comply with the proper usage of all CSIA Registered Trademarks as defined in the CSIA Trademark Use Guidelines documents.
I agree to accept and abide by the CSIA Code of Ethics as a standard in rendering services as a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® or CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®. By agreeing to this Code of Ethics, I understand that it is my responsibility to remain abreast of any changes to the Code of Ethics, that my actions may be reviewed by a committee of my peers, and that failure to abide by these ethical obligations is a violation of CSIA policy and, in accordance with the CSIA Code of Ethics Violation Procedure, may result in disciplinary action by the CSIA or its delegated committee. I agree to hold harmless CSIA and its committees from any and all liability resulting from any disciplinary action taken against me. -Revised 10/22/13 -
If you believe that an CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® has violated the Code of Ethics, please complete the CSIA Ethics Violation Report form (below) and return with documentation to the CSIA office at the address listed to put the following procedure in motion:
1. Complainant will fill out a CSIA Ethics Violation Report and send the completed form to the CSIA office. Note: A $100 filing fee is required of sweeps that file a complaint. If the respondent is found to have violated the CSIA Code of Ethics, the fee will be refunded. No fee is required of homeowners filing a complaint
2. The grievance will be forwarded to the Ethics Committee Chairperson, who will in turn review, the complaint with the CSIA staff liaison. If a possible violation has occurred, the respondent will be sent a response packet by certified mail, including a respondent cover letter, a response form, and all material submitted by the complainant. The respondent will have 30 days from date of letter to complete and return the response packet.
3. Upon receipt of the respondent’s packet, all documentation will be forwarded to the chairperson for distribution to committee members. If the respondent fails to respond within the required time period, the Ethics Committee will determine that respondent does not contest any of the complaints against him/her, and will continue with the review process. The Ethics Committee Chairperson or his designee will send a copy of the complaint to all committee members.
4. Within 30 days of receipt of the packet, the committee shall review all materials and come to a consensus recommending action to be taken. The chairperson will forward said consensus to the CSIA staff liaison. A letter will be drafted under the chairperson’s signature and will then be sent to the complainant and respondent informing them of said consensus and recommendations. An explanation of the appeal procedure will be included with the letter mailed to the respondent and complainant.
5. If an appeal is received the other party shall be notified. All documentation shall be forwarded to the CSIA directors for consideration of the appeal at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Once a Board decision is reached, a letter shall be drafted and sent by the President or Executive Director informing both parties of the decision.
Note:All original paperwork shall remain at the CSIA office.
Any contacts with either party shall he noted and kept with the original file.
Any sweep instituting a complaint toward another sweep shall enclose a $100 filing fee. That fee will be returned if the consensus is in the complainant’s favor. Consumers will not be charged a filing fee.
Any party appealing the decision of the committee will be required to pay a $50 non-refundable filing fee for processing the appeal.
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On November 17, 2001, the CSIA Board of Directors approved changes in the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® trademark use policy. The previous trademark use policy required that the company owner be a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® in order to use the trademark in display ads and promotional materials. The new policy makes it clear that companies who use the trademark must have at least one certified individual on the job site performing or supervising the sweeping and/or inspection.
These CSIA Trademark Use Guidelines govern use of the CERTIFIED CHIMNEY SWEEP CHIMNEY SAFETY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA® certification mark (“CCS Logo”) and the MASTER CHIMNEY SWEEP CHIMNEY SAFETY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA® certification mark (“MCS Logo”).Who can use the CCS® logo?
Sole Operator – Individuals who maintain a sole proprietorship, are currently a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®, have no other employees, and have signed the CSIA Code of Ethics are granted a royalty free limited license to use the CCS® Logo. Partnership – Companies organized as a partnership are granted a royalty free limited license to use the CCS® Logo provided the partner performing the sweeping and/or inspection is currently a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® and signed the CSIA Code of Ethics. Multiple Employee Company – Companies with multiple service technicians are granted a royalty free limited license to use the CCS® Logo provided that at least one individual who is currently CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® and signed the CSIA Code of Ethics is on the job site performing/supervising the sweeping and/or inspection. If a work order or equivalent document is provided to the customer, the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® must sign the document and clearly print his/her certification number next to the signature.The Certification Marks may be used on company stationery, advertising and marketing materials, business vehicles, business signs, publications, business forms, shipping materials or in similar activities for business purposes only. They may also be posted on your company's website. CSIA does not authorize use of the Certification Marks in connection with any services apart from the services the individual is CSIA certified in. Nor does CSIA authorize use of the Certification Marks to promote or identify any product, including use of the Certification Marks on any product packaging, product labeling, product advertising or product promotional materials without written authorization from CSIA. You may not use the Certification Marks as your business trademark, or incorporate it into your business trademark. Expiration – If certification expires, the Certification Marks and any reference to certification must be removed from any and all promotional materials including, but not limited to, advertising, letterhead, business cards, company fliers, vehicles, and company web sites within 30 days of expiration. Revocation – If certification is revoked, the Certification Marks and any reference to certification must be removed from any and all promotional materials including but not limited to advertising, letterhead, business cards, company fliers, vehicles, and company websites within 3 days of revocation.
At all times CSIA Certified Sweeps® agree to maintain quality standards when using the Certification Marks as prescribed in the CSIA Code of Ethics. CSIA reserves the right to inspect and give final approval to the reproduction and the manner in which the Certification Marks are reproduced or displayed. Upon request, CSIA Certified Sweeps® using the Certification Marks agree to provide CSIA with representative copies of all materials bearing the Certification Marks and to abide by the decision of CSIA with respect to approval of the use of the Certification Marks in advertising and corporate literature. All uses of the Certification Marks will inure to the benefit of the Chimney Safety Institute of America, Inc.
The Certification Marks are owned by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, Inc. (“CSIA”) and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
CSIA sponsors the CERTIFIED CHIMNEY SWEEP® and CSIA MASTER CHIMNEY SWEEP® certification programs. The Certification Marks were developed especially for these programs and are a symbol of your professionalism, understanding of, and dedication to your industry. Display the Certification Marks with Pride. Use Them Correctly.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have questions about the correct use of the Certification Marks, write or call CSIA at 2155 Commercial Drive, Plainfield Indiana 46168, (317) 837-5362 or fax (317) 837-5365, or email office@csia.org.
Adopted 11/17/2001
Updated 9/1/2009 and 11/29/2017 -
Is the individual a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® or Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®? Is the company in question employing CSIA Certified individuals? It's a potential Code of Ethics Violation.
Is the individual not a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® or Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician®? Does the company in question not employ CSIA Certified individuals? It's a potential Trademark Violation.
All original paperwork shall remain at the CSIA office.
Any contacts with either party shall he noted and kept with the original file.
Any sweep instituting a complaint toward another sweep shall enclose a $100 filing fee. That fee will be returned if the consensus is in the complainant’s favor. Consumers will not be charged a filing fee.
Any party appealing the decision of the committee will be required to pay a $50 non-refundable filing fee for processing the appeal.
Certification Denial or Revocation Policy
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certification Denial or Revocation Policy allows the CSIA to deny a candidate's application for any CSIA certification or to revoke any CSIA certification for certain specified forms of misconduct. The Policy is intended to maintain the CSIA's integrity and to ensure that the criteria for denial or revocation of applications for CSIA certifications are consistently applied. This policy applies to all candidates for CSIA certification and to anyone certified by CSIA .
An application for certification may be denied, or CSIA certification may be revoked, where CSIA in its sole judgment, finds that an applicant or individual certified by CSIA :Has knowingly misrepresented or falsified material information in connection with an application for certification or certification renewal, the CSIA credential, Continuing Education approval, or other materials or information submitted to CSIA .
Has knowingly engaged in inappropriate conduct in connection with the certification process or renewal of the certification process, including, but not limited to: (1) noncompliance with payment procedures or instructions and/or (2) any other form of cheating or misconduct that compromises the integrity of CSIA and the certification process.
Has violated the CSIA Code of Ethics.
Has been convicted of a crime, where the conduct forming the basis of such conviction has involved of such severity that CSIA determines is inconsistent with the standards required of an individual certified by CSIA.