Certified Chimney Journeyman

a. Understand contradictions between standards (e.g., NFPA, training manuals), national codes (e.g., IRC, IFGC, IMC), local codes, and manufacturer installation instructions regarding heating systems

b. Understand fuel type origins, delivery systems, components, and final usage

c. Identify and understand applicable installation requirements of factory-built appliances

d. Identify and address contradictions and gaps between listings, ASTM standards, and manufacturer installation instructions (e.g., wood burning stove inserted into a factory-built fireplace)

a. Understand installation and repair options for the types of connectors between the heating appliance to the venting system

b. Understand how to evaluate, remove, and/or replace connectors and connector accessories

a. Identify and follow the applicable requirements for installation of vents

b. Understand how to evaluate, remove, and/or replace vents

c. Troubleshoot improper installation of venting components based on appliance and fuel type

a. Understand proper construction of masonry chimneys and their components

b. Understand how to evaluate, remove, and/or replace flue liners

c. Identify and understand applicable installation requirements of factory-built chimneys

d. Troubleshoot exterior components of chimneys

a. Install and construct firestopping and fireblocking as required

b. Install insulation, insulation shields, and firestop spacers as required

c. Understand when ventilation is required for chase covers

a. Define, plan, and perform each of three levels of inspection (Level I, Level II, Level III)

b. Address repair options associated with complex combinations of deficiencies noted as a result of Level I, II, and III inspections

c. Utilize best practices for documentation of findings of Level I, II, and III inspections and presentation to client in paper or electronic format

d. Understand how the presence of various stages of creosote can change inspection processes

e. Utilize scanning equipment, including during Level III inspections

f. Utilize appropriate specialty inspection equipment

a. Utilize creosote removal techniques and products

b. Understand how the presence of various stages of creosote can change sweeping processes

a. Understand advanced issues and implement appropriate troubleshooting techniques for wood, gas, oil, coal, and

pellet appliances

a. Understand OSHA requirements as competent person on site

b. Understand and execute appropriate steep roof or multi-ladder staging

c. Understand requirements and training for OSHA-approved scaffolding techniques

d. Understand requirements for training and use of lifts

a. Understand OSHA requirements as competent person on site

a. Understand local regulations regarding wildlife removal

b. Design and implement an OSHA-compliant safety plan related to confined spaces

c. Understand OSHA requirements pertaining to confined spaces

a. Communicate the safety measures homeowners should have in place such as fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, fire safety/escape plan

b. Communicate safety hazards and performance issues to the homeowner (e.g., cold backdraft or downdraft situations, how to neutralize negative pressure in the chimney, lack of draft, and odors)

c. Instruct homeowners regarding annual inspections/sweeping, proper appliance use, how to reduce creosote issues, and maintenance and repair

a. Understand the impact of time, turbulence and temperature

b. Understand the causes and effects of incomplete combustion

c. Understand the causes and effects of creosote fires

d. Understand pyrolysis as it relates to clearance to combustibles issues

e. Know the characteristics including the BTU values of the different types of fuels (e.g., wood, coal pellets, corn, oil, and fuel gas)

f. Understand thermal shock

a. Understand the differences between draft and flow

b. Understand flow reversal, its causes, and how to address it

c. Understand stack effect

d. Understand Neutral Pressure Plane (NPP) (e.g., wind loading, heights, structure location, back pressure, geography, building construction)

e. Understand the purpose of blower door testing

a. Understand and calculate flue sizing ratios, fireplace opening, and termination height

b. Understand the effects of sizing and design on chimney caps, shrouds, spark arrestors, and specialty caps

c. Understand offsets and penetrations

d. Understand multi-sided fireplaces

e. Understand smoke chamber design

f. Understand effective and proper installation location

a. Understand the differences between types of floor protectors

b. Understand how to convert R/K values and material requirements

a. Generate appropriate OSHA / government / insurance incident reports

b. Understand the main components of generating estimates and proposals, including labor and material planning

c. Understand documentation requirements for homeowner insurance claims

d. Appropriately document a “sudden occurrence event”

a. Conduct conversations with customers about scope of work, change orders, and additional work authorization

b. Deal with conflict

c. Communicate inspection findings appropriately

d. Implement follow-up procedures

a. Perform brick and mortar work and teardown and rebuild

b. Remove and replace crowns and wood forms

c. Reconstruct the hearth and remodel around the chimney

d. Fill in hollow block

e. Retrofit a fireplace system

a. Replace chase covers and rebuild or reface chases

b. Replace components with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts

c. Remove and replace factory-built systems

a. Install and repair crickets

b. Install and replace flashing

c. Install snow splitters

d. Install roof support brackets