Bill Thornton and Bob Ferrari traveled to Prague to represent the NCSG at the 70th Annual ESCHFOE Congress.
On the Cover: A snapshot from the Spazzacamini festival in Italy this fall. Photo by Lindsay Trumble.
5 Letter From the President
A preview of the NCSG advocacy updates highlighted in this issue of Sweeping.
12
Climate Challenges at ESCHFOE
World chimney and venting organizations consider various strategies to survive in the face of climate change efforts.
16
A European Legacy
How ESCHFOE revolutionized chimney sweeping in the United States.
19 Codes and Standards Updates
Your NCSG reps break down important updates to various codes and standards.
22
The Heat Is On
How California’s fire and fuel bans shape the future.
25 Unified by Soot
Sweeps travel to Italy to celebrate the legacy of chimney sweeping at Spazzacamini.
28 Dirty Windows Don’t Burn Down Houses
The challenge of regulating the chimney industry in the United States and abroad.
32 HPBA Policy Updates
Hear from the HPBA Government Affairs team on the organization’s various advocacy updates.
Darwin Award
Have you ever seen some interesting things on the job?
Submit a photo with your name and location to marketing@ncsg.org.
Classified Ads
Free Classified Ads for NCSG Members
National Chimney Sweep Guild (NSCG) members can run one 35-word classified ad for free each calendar year. 36+ words are $1 per word after. Additional ads are $1/word or $2/word for non-members. Classified ads are non-commissionable and must be pre-paid. To place a classified ad, e-mail marketing@ncsg.org.
Policy ACTION CENTER
Let us know what’s going on!
Submit industry concerns to NCSG’s Policy Action Center. We post live on the website and look into how we can take action. While you’re there, you can also check out the blog for past issues we’ve addressed. Check your email and Facebook to stay up to date!
SWEEPI NG
Staff
Kailah Schmitz, CAE, Executive Director director@ncsg.org
Jessica Thornton, Associate Director and Certifications Coordinator jessica@ncsg.org
Bob Ferrari, Director of Education education@ncsg.org
Sydney Kaizer, Director of Marketing and Communications; Sweeping Editor marketing@ncsg.org
Brittney Burton, Membership and Events Coordinator bburton@ncsg.org
Libby Almendarez, Membership and Certifications Coordinator office@ncsg.org
DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in Sweeping do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) or its staff.
ADVERTISING
To advertise, email Malisa Minetree at sweepingads@me.com or call (317) 603-7854.
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 does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products or services advertised. NCSG does not make any effort to review or substantiate claims made by advertisers.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Stock images by iStock, Adobe.
ARTICLE SUBMISSION
NCSG encourages industry partners to submit press releases and articles to the editor at marketing@ncsg.org. Submissions should contain items of interest or importance to the chimney and venting industry. Submissions should not contain direct solicitations, prices, or other forms of advertising verbiage. Submissions may contain images or artwork attached in a JPG format.
In all cases, NCSG reserves the right to edit submissions for 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.
This month’s issue of Sweeping focuses on our advocacy efforts to serve our members. The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) Advocacy Committee includes representation on codes and standards, international relations, and government affairs.
With representatives sitting on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and International Residential Code (IRC), we have a say in these publications and standards. Just look how the inspection chapter in the 211 changed our industry!
Our international relationships include Europe and now Canada. We signed an agreement with Wood, Energy Technology Transfer (WETT), a non-profit training and education association like ours located in Canada.
Another important part of the committee is government affairs. One step NCSG has taken to support its members is to develop three accredited certifications, which provide valuable credentials that we can leverage in our advocacy efforts with government agencies. The NCSG works to support members’ best interest in government decisions regarding the ability for sweeps to work on chimney and venting in their state. Accreditation can help bolster our voice and validity when advocating for members at the government level on legislation and licensing issues of our trade.
Home heating options and forced electrification is another issue we tackle on a state by state basis. This is coming to a state near you!
The final part of this committee is international relations. NCSG Education Director Bob Ferrari and I visited this year’s 2024 ESCHFOE Congress in Prague. You can read about this meeting from each of our perspectives in the following pages.
As always, we are looking for additional members to sit on this committee. If you are interested, please visit ncsg.org/join-a-committee. ■
Bill Thornton, President, National Chimney
Sweep Guild
MARCH 4-8, 2025 • CINCINNATI, OH
Join your fellow chimney sweeps in Cincinnati, OH to brush up on your skills and enjoy a week of education, networking, and fun!
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Sweeps in Prague: How the 70th Congress Is Preparing for a Fossil Fuel-Free Future
By Bill Thornton, President, National Chimney Sweep Guild
As sweeps from the USA and Europe gathered in the city of Prague for the 70th Annual ESCHFOE Congress this September, friendships rekindled and smiles were plentiful.
Our Czech hosts made our stay very comfortable with outings to the old city, dinner with the archbishop, and visits to their fire museum and Zbirch Castle. All this hospitality took place while eastern Europe was in the midst of a large weather event that flooded many homes as rivers spilled out of their banks. Many thanks again to Major David Schon and his colleagues.
Each country presented a report to the Congress. Many of the presidents were very concerned about the overall ban of fossil fuels along with woodburning fireplaces. Sweeps in Europe will need to expand their services to include ventilation design and cleaning. Finland is concerned if the move to heat pumps becomes law, they would not be able to heat structures in their country. Average temperatures are 7 degrees in the dead of winter!
This is a warning to sweeps in the states – a fossil fuel ban could be coming to a state near you. Building performance is another service we could transition to. Currently, it is not really something that we introduce to homeowners, focusing on inspections. After spending the last few years around Victor Imgarten and Bob Ferrari, they have been trying to get us to realize this service should be part of our service offerings.
Now is the time to consider the building performance world. The NCSG will be your partner in this training so you can be the leader in your market on building performance!
Our guild has introduced the world of house pressurization with the Heat and Moisture (HAM) house class. This class is making its way around the country at state guild events. Mark your calendar for January 20 for the North Central Chimney Guild HAM house class in Merrill, WI!
We have all adapted the inspection process over these past 10 years or so. You are now selling inspections – not sweeps – to new customers. This is a huge culture change from our beginnings. Jerry Isenhour introduced us to the world of infrared training with United Infrared at our annual conventions. Consider taking your training in this area further. This is another market that is wide open for us. ■
BUILD FOR YOU NEXT?
Chimney Sweeps Tackle Climate Challenges at ESCHFOE 2024 in Prague
By Bob Ferrari, Director of Education, National Chimney Sweep Guild
The European Federation of Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE) held its annual meeting in Prague from September 11-14. Bill Thornton led the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) team, which also included myself (Bob Ferrari). The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) had a large number of attendees. The 2025 event will be hosted by CSIA in Chicago, with some sponsorship from the NCSG, in August 2025.
The ESCHFOE conference alternates between a technical focus (last year’s event in Austria) and a political/regulatory focus, which was this year’s theme. In most member countries, chimney sweeping is organized by a government agency. Only five of the 27 countries surveyed operate under free-market systems, including the United States. In countries with governmental control, professional training is often required. Similar to the U.S., most countries are struggling to attract young workers to the trade.
It was the training aspect that first drew NCSG to ESCHFOE, with the goal of bringing back a training program that could be adapted for use in the U.S., modeled after European systems. Victor Imgarten and John Pilger visited schools in Germany and returned
with new ideas for the tech center in Indiana. In countries where training is required, chimney sweeps oversee everything related to home heating, including HVAC systems and building performance. Both this year and last year, presentations focused heavily on air duct cleaning and HVAC service and installation. Germany leads the discussion, with all homes set to use heat pumps as the primary heating source within 10 years. Solid fuels, a traditional part of chimney sweeping, are rarely mentioned, as climate change advocates push to eliminate fossil and solid fuel burning. However, countries in colder climates or with smaller government budgets argue they cannot rely on heat pumps due to their climate or cost concerns.
Austria is seeing strong movement toward wood gasification, a process that converts wood into gases such as hydrogen, synthetic natural gas, and wood diesel. While biofuel is abundant, and existing fuel infrastructure can be used, the production costs are only viable with subsidies, higher global oil prices, or fuel shortages.
In the Czech Republic, fire and rescue services work closely with chimney sweeps. Attendees toured a large firefighting
training facility and a museum. Of the 17,758 structural fires in the Czech Republic last year, 1,262 were chimney-related, with 90% caused by a lack of maintenance. The country has several levels of chimney sweep qualifications: flue gas analysis, inspection, repair, and a revising inspector, who inspects repairs. Interestingly, chimney sweeps and firefighters share the same symbol on their patches.
Although efficiency is improving in the EU, open fireplaces can’t meet new regulations. In Germany alone, three million fireplaces are scheduled to be decommissioned. The Green Party opposes biomass as a carbon-neutral option, but scientific experts have rejected that conclusion.
To help the chimney sweeping trade survive in the face of climate change efforts, various strategies are being considered:
Fire Protection:
• Chimney sweeps could act as fire protection officers or technicians, teaching safety and performing inspections.
• Fire protection assistants would support the main fire protection personnel.
• Maintenance and inspection of smoke detectors would be part of their duties, along with checking CO monitors and inspecting storage of wood, gas, oil, and pellets.
Ventilation:
• Sweeps would check and clean air ducts, ensuring system efficiency.
• They would also clean smoke extraction systems and verify ventilation function.
Expansion of Traditional Sweeping:
• This includes cleaning
fireplaces and smoke pipes, installing fireplaces and chimneys, and handling smoke alarms.
Energy Consulting:
• Chimney sweeps could issue compliance certificates, conduct building efficiency checks, perform blower door testing, and carry out thermographic imaging measurements.
• Other tasks could include drawing ventilation plans and performing thermal bridge (insulation) calculations.
Finland sponsored a conference in May discussing ventilation work, with participation from other Nordic countries. They emphasized indoor air regulation and the inspection and testing of ventilation systems. New opportunities are emerging as EU standards highlight the importance of air quality to human health. Different systems require inspection at various intervals: every year for commercial places like restaurants, every five years for schools, hospitals, hotels, and apartment buildings, and every 10 years for office buildings and single-family homes. There are three levels of inspection, each requiring additional training:
1. Check-ups every 3-5 years
2. Analysis and repair every 5-10 years
3. A detailed evaluation after 10 years or more
Air balancing and house pressure design are also key components. Air pressure changes are measured in three ways: immediately, periodically throughout the year, or continuously, depending on the
structure’s needs.
Ventilation work was highlighted as one of the main opportunities for sweeps in the EU. This trend is expected to influence the U.S. as well, with the potential to create long-term business opportunities.
Looking Ahead
CSIA provided an overview of the hotel and amenities for next year’s conference in Chicago, which will be followed by the 2026 meeting in Slovakia.
Oswald Wilhelm from Germany, ESCHFOE president for many years, passed the gavel to the new president, Alexis Gulas, also from Germany.
NCSG’s virtual reality demo in German was well-received, and other countries have shown
interest in using it for training. Prague, with its artistic charm, provided a wonderful backdrop for the event. Attendees enjoyed wandering the cobbled streets and may have significantly reduced the world’s beer supply during the 3.5 days. The Czech hosts skillfully adjusted the itinerary due to rain and provided memorable experiences, including a tour of Prague Castle and dinner with the Roman Catholic Cardinal.
ESCHFOE continues to offer a glimpse into the future, one that may well be shared globally. It’s a small world, after all. ■
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Backup representative for NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code)
Contact Advocacy Committee Chair Debbie Wiedwald at debbie@blackburnschimney.com if interested.
Subject matter experts for the NCSG certifications program
Contact Certifications Coordinator Jessica Thornton at jessica@ncsg.org if interested.
NCSG members to serve on the Advocacy, Certifications, Education, Events, Membership, and Marketing Committees
Visit ncsg.org/join-a-committee to learn more and join a committee.
A European Legacy
By Victor Imgarten, Founder, Clean Sweep Chimney Service
Over the years, many things have seemed to magically appear in our trade. We’ve now reached an entire generation of sweeps who think it has always been this way or take for granted what is considered normal in our sweeping world. Just think of inspections before cameras, sweeping when you had to screw each rod together, or taping over the fittings on factory fireplaces. Then, there was changing light bulbs in your drop light several times a day, or job. The list goes on and on.
Two of the biggest changes that affect us as sweeps are thanks to the dues paid by National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) members, and for
most, it feels like they’ve always been a part of our sweep life. No, I’m not talking about inspection cameras, rods, vipers, or having more than two choices of chimney caps, and so on. Everyone who sweeps uses these tools (I assume all), and the other gives everyone the choice to attend and better themselves or go into the sweep business in one easy week (sort of). These changes helped put us on the map as a true trade.
Both are due to the NCSG’s involvement with the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps (ESCHFOE). ESCHFOE represents European chimney sweeps, and the NCSG has been a member
Photo by Andrzej Madziar
of this association for several decades.
Our original involvement started when the world was changing for the European chimney sweep. Actually, it was changing for all of us, as the Berlin Wall was soon to come down. Most countries in Europe had a mandatory law requiring the chimney to be swept by a sweep assigned to a specific district. A group of mostly Swedes, along with a couple of Germans, attended an NCSG convention years ago to learn marketing and how we operated in a free-market system, which was soon coming to them and their way of doing business.
We were as overwhelmed as they were during the week they spent with us at the convention. In return, we were invited to attend the upcoming ESCHFOE convention, for which they paid.
Three of us attended a meeting in Hungary that fall. Needless to say, we were speechless. It was like a United Nations meeting, with all the translators sitting behind us, feeding the translated words into our headsets. We were fortunate to have the technical director of the German chimney sweeps group as our translator.
So, where did this lead us?
We left that first meeting almost speechless at the level of respect the sweeps had from the public and officials, and at the education system in each country. We realized that even though they all spoke different languages, they essentially spoke the same language. Yes, each country had different ideas, guidelines, and schools, but it all boiled down to the same training and education, along with a complete understanding of fire, chimneys, home construction, and codes.
As a side note, at the time, our country had many different codes, with some areas and cities adopting more than one. This was also before the EU had formed, yet they still spoke the same language of codes and fire safety – something we couldn’t do even at a county level.
At the time, we were throwing around the idea of a mobile school to be pulled by a semi. It was just an idea, as we were just starting to get the NCSG training school off the ground and successfully running at a college campus during the summer.
Our first ESCHFOE meeting changed everything.
During the meeting, we decided to establish a permanent school. However, when it was pitched to the board, our executive director and some board members were a bit underwhelmed. In fact, they even thought we had spent too much time during our layover in Amsterdam! Thanks to a few forwardthinkers on the board and a lot of arm-twisting with
financial guarantees (fundraising), a chimney sweep school became a reality for the United States within a few short years.
A few years later, when three others attended another ESCHFOE meeting, they came away with the idea to develop a standard similar to the European standard for pressure-testing chimneys. Again, it came back to speaking the same language as the Europeans, who used the DIN standard at the time, now referred to as the EN ISO standard.
After years of testing and significant personal time from a few individuals, it became painfully clear that our chimneys would never pass the pressure test. However, this loss turned out to be our biggest win. The process, with additional work, converted that knowledge into the most impactful document we’ve ever seen: NFPA 211 levels of inspection. Not too long ago, it was the wild west, and we were lucky to know which side of the street went by which rules and codes. Now, we have a complete document outlining three levels of chimney inspection.
Over the years, many other ideas have come from our involvement with ESCHFOE. We left a few good ones on the table, such as testing flue gases from gas and oil furnaces for efficiency and building performance.
The industry wasn’t prepared for it. The HVAC companies and the public didn’t see the need. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll see appliances tested so we can save valuable resources, and homeowners can save money.
Understanding houses, buildings, and how they work is part of the job for European sweeps. Working with builders, homeowners, architects, and building inspectors is just a normal day for our European friends. The concept of a building performance specialist existed before Building Performance Institute (BPI) was founded. Again, our industry wasn’t prepared, and BPI was born.
What does the future of ESCHFOE hold for us?
Who knows? Europe is ahead of the United States in energy conservation. This will affect sweeps worldwide, and in time, it will affect us more than it currently does. By the end of September, Great Britain will be coal-free, with the last power plant closing.
We can blame the East or West coasts, but much of what we deal with starts in Europe and works its way here. So, it’s best to be proactive and prepared. The NCSG’s yearly trip to the ESCHFOE meeting is how the NCSG is helping our industry prepare for what lies ahead. Just think how different you and your company would be without levels of inspection and proper training. ■
CODES AND STANDARDS UPDATES
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) actively participates in and monitors various codes and standards bodies, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
Jim Brewer is the NCSG representative for the NFPA 211 and NFPA 54 Committees. You can reach Jim by email at jim@rooftopsafetyusa.com or phone at (757) 435-0407.
NFPA 211 & 54
In August 2024, the NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances) Committee met virtually for two days to review the public proposals to the next (2027) edition of NFPA 211. The current edition of 211 is the 2024 edition, which was released at the end of 2023. The committee
reviewed approximately 25 proposed changes which were submitted prior to the June proposal deadline. Many of the changes were editorial in nature to update edition years of referenced standards and other minor corrections. There were also several substantial changes proposed which were discussed at length by the committee. It would not be appropriate to discuss those outcomes until the committee is balloted and the results are available.
In September 2024, the NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) met in Charlotte for three days to review more than 100 public proposals to the 2027 edition. The current edition of 54 is the 2024 edition, which was released at the end of 2023. As noted above for 211, it would be inappropriate to discuss individual proposals until they are balloted by the committee.
The proposed changes to both 211 and 54 will be balloted and made available to the public by March 25, 2025, so after that time we can discuss the changes
here or possibly in a convention seminar. Once the changes are published in March, anyone can comment on them until June 3, 2025, after which the committee will meet again to discuss the comments. Those comments and the discussions about them can lead to changes in the outcome of proposals. In other words, the committee reviews the comments and how they relate to the original proposal and can either reject a proposal that was previously approved or approve one that was previously rejected. The committee also has the option to modify a proposal. So as you can see, there is a long path from the time a proposal is initially received until the next edition is printed. The next edition of both 211 and 54 will be available late in 2026 or early in 2027.
If you haven’t seen the new 2024 edition of NFPA 211, you should pick up a copy. It contains numerous changes of interest to chimney technicians including changes to the chimney inspection requirements.
Steve Scally is the NCSG representative for the NFPA 31 Committee. You can reach Steve by email at firesidesweeps@comcast. net.
NFPA 31
Some of the revisions being made in NFPA 31 (Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment) are as follows:
6.5.22
If two or more openings are provided into one chimney flue the following shall apply: they shall be at different levels the smaller connector shall enter at the highest level consistent with available head room or clearance to combustible material.
6.5.28
Gas appliances and appliances burning liquid fuel shall be permitted to be connected to one chimney flue through separate openings or to be connected through a single opening, provided they are joined by a suitable fitting as close as practical to the chimney and provided both of the following apply.
1. Sufficient draft is available for the safe combustion of each appliance and for the removal of all products of combustion.
2. The appliances so connected are equipped with primary safety controls and all appliances are located in the same room.
Daniel A. Freeman is a member of the UL TC-0103 and TC-0127 Technical Committees as a Commercial-Industrial User, an official NCSG representative to the ICC organization, and a member of the NFPA 211 Committee. You can reach Dan Freeman at dan@freemanfire.com.
UL 1391
UL 1391 (Standard for Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and HearthMounted Stoves for Installation into Factory-Built Fireplaces) is on hold pending a lab or a manufacturer agreeing to do the required testing necessary to validate the parameters and limitations that are built into the proposed standard. A quote has been tentatively accepted and it is undergoing an engineering review by UL. Once approved by engineering, the proposal will be reviewed by the task group for UL1391. If approved they will proceed with testing. There are funds available to support this process. There is currently not an anticipated date for when this standard will be published as validation is still underway.
ICC Codes
Commenting for the 2024 –Group A Codes (including the IBC – E, IBC – FS, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, IPSDC, IRC – M-Chapters 12-23, IRC – P-Chapters 25-33, ISPSC, IWUIC) closed January 8, 2024.
No comments were submitted by me or on behalf of the NCSG as I had not yet been appointed.
Commenting for the 2025 –Group B Codes (including the Admin, IBC – G, IBC – S, IEBC, IgCC (Ch. 1 & App M), IPMC, IRC – B-Chapters 1-10, IZC) opened October 15, 2024 and closes January 10, 2025.
In 2026 comments from prior years for both Group A & B Codes will be heard and voted on by the appropriate committee. Public comment hearings will take place as necessary.
UL 1390
UL 1390 (Standard for Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and HearthMounted Stoves for Installation into Masonry Fireplaces) just finished a comment resolution meeting on October 3, 2024 regarding the most recent revisions. One comment related to clarifying the masonry thickness of the firebox in which inserts will be tested which was intended to be 8” of standard masonry. Somehow in the commenting process solid masonry units were left out and only the two versions of refractory concrete were left in. A comment will be submitted to update this in conjunction with publication and a note was added into the current edition going forward to publication. The standard will proceed with publication though some updates still need to be made. They will be submitted following publication. Manufacturers will be able to begin testing inserts to this standard once it has been published and it sounds like manufacturers are already starting to build their testing structures. Keep an eye out for classes next year regarding inspection requirements in conjunction with insert installations. ■
THE HEAT IS ON
How California’s Fire and Fuel Bans Shape the Future
By Bob Ferrari, Director of Education, National Chimney Sweep Guild
California often sets trends for the rest of the country. Fuel and burning restrictions vary widely, making it difficult to track where legislation is headed. The rules sometimes depend on individual counties, air quality districts with natural boundaries, or municipalities.
In Sacramento, as of 2009, if a “mandatory curtailment” is issued, “no person may have a fire or operate a wood-burning device.” First-time violators receive a $50 fine, with fines increasing for subsequent infractions. Typically, enforcement relies on neighbors reporting neighbors, as there aren’t enough burn police to patrol effectively.
Southern California issues mandatory no wood-burning bans as needed below 3,000 feet in elevation, usually for one day at a time. Incentives have been offered to install gas logs. California SB1256 has banned the sale of single-use propane cylinders in the state, effective January 1, 2028. While highly publicized gas bans, such as the one in Berkeley, were overturned, this is not the end of the battle against fuel use. Once LP gas in containers for tabletop barbecues or lanterns is unavailable, what will be the alternative?
Dedicated gas appliances are still acceptable in most jurisdictions. Gas logs have dominated fireplaces in Southern California for many years, driven by both emission rules and the fact that firewood is often scarce and prohibitively expensive. However, gas supply installations are under attack. Though recent attempts to ban them have been overturned,
opponents of fossil fuels will persist until they succeed. The government began pushing for a ban on pilot lights as early as 1977. Currently, this applies mostly to natural gas-fired appliances, and hearth products may now have intermittent pilots. In colder areas, the absence of a pilot light has led to condensation and cold flue startup problems, and many of those areas rely on propane.
By 2035, all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs sold in California must be zero-emission vehicles. Will this idea spread to other fuel-fired appliances?
Starting January 1, 2024, 50% of vehicle purchases must be zeroemission. This will likely result in the 90-cents-per-gallon gas tax (including federal tax) spiraling even higher. Fuel in California is already $1.30 more per gallon than the national average, hovering around $5 per gallon. Will all those diesel vehicles that were forcibly retired and replaced a few years ago need to be retired again for electric service trucks?
During the major fires a few years ago, companies like PG&E began shutting down power grids when wind speeds were predicted to be as low as 15 mph. It was neglected PG&E infrastructure that caused the fires, yet the state also attempted to ban fuel-fired home generators.
In San Diego’s North County, there are no regulations controlling when homeowners can or cannot burn wood. Encinitas had initially adopted a “no new gas infrastructure” policy for new construction following Berkeley’s model, but the requirement was relaxed after a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court.
Oceanside has banned the installation of wood-burning products in new construction for over a decade.
In the San Joaquin Valley, appliances must be registered. Wood-burning curtailments have three levels: no burning at all, burning only with registered products, and discouraged but allowed burning. Anyone operating a registered woodburning fireplace or heater must ensure there is no visible smoke year-round (except during fire start-up). New fire start-ups cannot produce visible smoke for more than 15 consecutive minutes in any four-hour period. Additionally, visible emissions from wood-burning fireplaces or heaters must not exceed 20% opacity for more than three minutes within any onehour period. Enforcement is often driven by reports from concerned citizens.
Shasta County allows EPAapproved appliances. In the city of Redding, if a masonry chimney must be torn down to the smoke chamber for repair, the entire structure must be replaced with an EPA-approved appliance and a chase with a veneer around the new chimney. Wood or pellet space heaters cannot be installed as the sole source of heat.
Traditional open fireplaces and non-EPA appliances have been banned in new construction and remodels since the early 1990s.
The San Francisco Bay Area enforces mandatory no-burn days, and non-compliant appliances must be upgraded to at least EPA Phase 2 (1992) emission standards.
In Mammoth Lakes and the Lake Tahoe region, non-EPA-approved appliances must be replaced with current EPA-approved models when real estate changes ownership. Some exemptions are allowed for recreational fireplaces in residences and commercial properties. Sellers often remove non-compliant products, leaving it
to the new owners to decide what to install.
Although burning restriction programs are typically posted day-to-day, some jurisdictions have imposed mandatory no-burn days for over 60 consecutive days during certain seasons.
The last lengthy California drought (which lasted three years) changed the behavior of many long-time wood and pellet burners. In lower elevations, residents grew accustomed to using their furnaces for the limited heat needed. In my own 50-year-old home, where a wood stove is the sole heat source, I burned only half a cord of wood over three years – down from an average of 1.5 cords per year prior to that drought. Burning resumed during the work-from-home period under COVID, but never reached pre-drought levels.
With uncertainty about the coming winter and the high cost of upgrades that regulations may limit the use of, people are more hesitant to invest heavily in heating systems. There is still demand and work to be done, but not to the extent seen in previous years.
Climate change activists have an easy target in the solid fuel industry, and they have also taken on the powerful gas lobbies.
If you live in an area relatively free of regulation, I encourage you to stay alert. Pay attention to legislation in California and other states. Europe, particularly Germany, is moving toward heat pump-only systems.
This shift will likely affect you sooner rather than later, and the role of professional chimney sweeps in maintaining healthy, safe homes may diminish. Be prepared. ■
UNIFIED BY SOOT
celebrating THE LEGACY OF CHIMNEY SWEEPS AT spazzacamini
By
Lindsay Trumble, Chimney Doctors
It’s time to soot up!
This is your notice to grab your brushes and march alongside fellow chimney sweeps from all over the world for a soot-tacular experience. Rarely is a trade as niche as chimney sweeping celebrated with the kind of enthusiasm you would expect at a state fair. Yet, as you step into the small town of Santa Maria Maggiore, you are struck by the abundance of chimney sweep memorabilia scattered throughout, all leading to the town’s very own Chimney Sweep Museum!
Every year on the first weekend of September for the past 41 years, the town transforms into a sea of black top hats, with voices ringing out the Italian word for chimney sweep: “Spazzacamini!” Chimney sweeps from around the world arrive, each proudly wearing their unique uniform and country’s flag, with a few smudges of soot on their faces.
Over the two nights of the festival, the town square fills with sweeps joyfully reuniting with distant friends and warmly welcoming newcomers into their embrace. With each new friendship made, a pin and patch are traded to proudly display on your uniform and to be cherished for years to come. The joy and compassion felt when offering your pin to another new friend is a heartwarming feeling that stays with you forever.
"This celebration of chimney sweeps, both past and present, old and new, is truly a unique experience.”
Spectators, both young and old, wander through the crowd of chimney sweeps, hoping to be among the lucky few to receive a sooty embrace – marked by black smudges – or even a special trinket to remember the experience. By Sunday, each chimney sweep is dressed to proudly represent their trade and home country in a parade that will make you feel like a star. With chants of “U-S-A” and “Spazzacamini” filling the air and an overwhelming number of photo requests from the 30,000 spectators, it is an experience that rivals walking the red carpet. The parade concludes with a spectacular display of chimney sweeps atop the rooftops, proudly waving the Italian flag.
Throughout the festival, I could not help but notice the remarkable sight of people from various parts of the world all with diverse backgrounds coming together in such unity, setting aside all cultural differences to celebrate as one. This celebration of chimney sweeps, both past and present, old and new, is truly a unique experience. I am proud to have represented the United States, and I encourage every sweep to attend at least once. Just one visit can spark a passion for this tradition, and I challenge you to prove me wrong!
To learn more about the event, join the Spazzacamini Americano Facebook page and reach out to John Pilger at chimneyman@aol.com. ■
Dirty Windows Don’t Burn Down Houses
The Challenge of Regulating the Chimney Industry in the US and Abroad
By Verity Schramm, Co-Owner, Midtown Chimney Sweeps
Why don’t Americans sweep their chimneys?
Why are less than 25% of America’s 28 million venting systems being swept and inspected annually?
The EPA estimates there are more than 17.5 million fireplaces, 241,000 hydronic heaters, and 10.1 million wood stoves in the United States. That’s about 28 million venting systems. According to NFPA 211, chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year in accordance with the requirements of Section 15.2. How many systems can one chimney professional care for in a year? About 1,000. That means we should have roughly 28,000 people in our industry to adequately serve America’s chimneys and fireplaces.
We currently have somewhere between 6,000-10,000 chimney sweeps.
Assuming the higher number of sweeps, this means that we need at least 18,000 more people in our industry before we are adequately caring for America’s chimneys and fireplaces. And we also need the owners of 18 million venting systems to call for service.
technicians in our industry, I’m curious as to what is happening. In an industry whose job it is to make sure we can safely bring fire into our wood-framed homes, we should start to take notice. Is there an issue with supply? Is there a high barrier to entering the chimney sweeping industry? Training issues? Too much government regulation? Too little? What about demand? Why are only about 25% of these chimney systems receiving yearly service?
Right-Sizing Supply and Demand
More than one consultant has reviewed our business and concluded that we are a capacity constrained industry. There are more people who need their chimneys swept than there are people to do it. How many customers, I wonder, call for a sweep in September, cannot get a sweep for 6 weeks or more and it falls off their task list. And how many people simply aren’t calling in the first place?
“In an industry whose job it is to make sure we can safely bring fire into our wood-framed homes, we should start to take notice.”
My background is economics and government. And I also own a chimney sweeping company with my husband, so when I look at this shortfall of 18,000
Quite literally, a $300 annual chimney sweep and inspection performed according to the guidelines can prevent or reduce loss of life and property. (Thank you to all those US chimney sweeps back in the early 2000s who created the standards of inspection now found in the NFPA 211 Chapter 15!). It would seem that it is in the homeowner’s best interest to maintain their
chimney – pretty cheap insurance policy. But it’s no surprise that people don’t always behave in a way that’s best for them. Think six month dentist visits or yearly physicals.
This kind of irrational behavior falls under the economic category called… wait for it… “irrational behavior,” and is the subject of much debate, especially on matters of public health and safety. When does a government involve themselves in correcting irrational behavior and when does it stay out of it? Think about the following list: building codes, auto insurance, plastic bags, vaccines, restaurant food preparation, etc. Which would you want regulated?
A government’s duty might be to protect its people, not run their lives, but the question becomes, “What’s the difference?” And this is where the complexity of the issue lies: the varying degree of tolerance for government interference. There are people who want absolutely no building codes to those who prefer it when you can’t change a doorknob without a permit. When and how does
a government step in to protect the people, and when is it reaching over the line into running our lives? Throw in discussions about liberty and licentiousness, and you have the making for an existential crisis the likes of which…well, the likes of which our country’s in now.
Dirty windows won’t burn down my house. But we all know that dirty chimneys can, along with undersized electrical systems and bad gas heaters. Arguments about if we should regulate aside, just looking at comparable industries, our industry is comparably underregulated.
In many conversations in the industry, there seems to be a lot of differing opinions about regulating our industry. And the topic seems to be tied to our identity. We might just be the last unexploited American business frontier. The John Wayne or John Dutton of the service industry. People who answered the call to become U.S. chimney sweeps during the 70s oil crisis were, as Jim Gillam puts it in his 2023 chronicle of the formation of the U.S. hearth industry, “self-starters, creative and
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ingenious, the self-sufficient.”
During a recent trip overseas, we were exposed to a very different approach to our industry. Frankly, it’s an approach that seems to strike a mixture of envy and terror in American sweeps. Federally recognized and required sweep training and certification (controlling supply) and government-mandated sweeping (controlling demand).
Belgium, Germany, and England: Contrasts in Regulation
European regulation of chimney sweeping is not a new thing. According to a Viennese colleague and museum in Vienna, in 1432, the city ordered that chimneys be regularly controlled and cleaned (controlling demand). In 1512, emperor Maximilian I awarded Hans from Milan the first chimney sweeper master concession (controlling supply). Step aside Columbus. In 1432, Vienna swept the chimney flue.
Recently reading through the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps (ESCHOE) report that was written just after COVID-19 shutdowns, I found two key passages that very much highlight a stark contrast between a regulated chimney industry in Germany and an unregulated chimney industry in Belgium.
ESCHFOE Excerpt: Belgium
“From the point of view of Techlink (the Belgian Association representing installers and contractors) the Corona Pandemic means a turning point for the Belgian guild because the chimney sweep sector has literally collapsed due to the protective measures taken… Apparently, the age of the chimney sweeps, who are interested in the organization, and who – until some time ago – also provided advice and assistance played an important role. Communication with the companies is limited due to a lack of digital equipment or knowledge. An increase in new businesses could not be recorded… Other topics covered are the New Rule on Chimney Openings. Flanders plans to introduce legal measures. According to estimates, binding measures are only to be expected in a few years, if at all.
Now contrast this with the German report. Notice they list the exact number of sweeps in their country to the one’s place.
ESCHFOE Excerpt: Germany
“There are 7,983 chimney sweeps in Germany. Due to the corona pandemic, public life in Germany was shut down in 2020. The chimney sweep trade was able to carry out the chimney sweep works in compliance with the applicable distance and
hygiene rules…The Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps…has established a new seal of approval “specialist company for the chimney sweep.”...
Over 5,500 chimney sweep companies now take part in the seal of approval…This means a positive external image for the profession. The Federal Environment Ministry has published a new draft bill on chimney heights…”
Chimney sweeps in Germany are so powerful that it’s actually illegal to refuse them entry into your home. Remember, this is from a culture where historically fires would and did decimate entire towns. Recently, after years of pressure from the European Union, the German government ended the centuries-old monopoly of chimney sweeps that had been in place since the Middle Ages, dismantling a system entrenched in the guild traditions that shaped Europe long ago. Until then, about 8,000 master chimney sweeps controlled exclusive districts, barring competition and requiring homeowners to hire the designated sweep for their area. It will be interesting to see how this deregulation affects the trade.
As mentioned in a previous article, there are 16 chimney sweep trade schools, functioning somewhat like four-year colleges, complete with dormitories and cafeterias. The meister schórnsteinfegers in Germany are so highly trained they are the official government body that approves a chimney’s use.
In contrast to the highly-trained 7,983 schórnsteinfegers in Germany, our US industry regularly has unqualified, incompetent fireplace installers and chimney sweeps armed with a Google My Business page and a nice website. Recently, a new customer of ours indicated they had a reline completed by a competitor the year before with the system smoking ever since. Our technician looked past the cast iron damper and saw a 6 inch round stainless steel liner dangling in the smoke chamberimproperly sized, uninsulated, and over 50% restrictive of the minimum required cross section area of the fireplace opening. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this story on repeat.
While I doubt our U.S. hearth industry would tolerate Germany’s top-down approach, there must be a sweet spot between too much and too little regulation. Maybe there is a way we can innovate our trade organizations that would replace a need for more interference. Is there a way to correct the externality in our industry and harness the power of the free-market to correct our supply and demand curve “holistically” rather than take a dose of government regulation?
The Goldilocks Zone
The Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) in the United Kingdom may be an entity in a kind of a goldilocks zone. Approached by the government to develop a training/certification program for sweeping in the United Kingdom, HETAS centralized the industry with robust training and a government recognized certification, becoming in essence a non-government regulatory body. HETAS not only trains and certifies, but investigates complaints and even assists with permits.
A U.S. entity that is also in this sweet spot may be the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI). While not a government licensing agency, InterNACHI fulfills the role of one. Their school is recognized, approved, and/ or accredited by more than 100 state, government, and non-government agencies. Also investigating complaints and failures of those it certifies, it may be a model of a trade organization that is effectively performing industry self-regulation.
With this background of regulation formation and our industry psyche resisting big government, it is possibly time for large players in the hearth industry to consider uniting to be more of a centralized self-regulating body. My hope is that we are on this trajectory, beginning to draft a plan forward for our industry to lead this charge.
Our trade is old, it is niche, and requires much deep competency and skill and education. It would appear to me an increase in some kind of “regulation” is appropriate for proper annual chimney sweeping and proper fireplace installation and relining. If we don’t want government regulation, we need to step up and do it ourselves. Why? Because dirty windows don’t burn down houses, but dirty chimneys and improperly installed fireplaces do. ■
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HPBA POLICY UPDATES
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) partners with the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association (HPBA) and its affiliates to ensure NCSG members are up to date on policy matters that impact the industry. NCSG representatives attend the monthly HPBA government affairs calls, communicate updates to NCSG members, and forward HPBA Calls to Action efforts to NCSG members.
NCSG gratefully welcomes the HPBA Government Affairs team who each contributed to this month’s Sweeping magazine and this article: Jason Tolleson, Senior Director – Government Affairs; John Crouch, DirectorPublic Affairs; Eric Adair, Senior Manager – Codes & Standards; and Christopher Connor, Policy Manager – Government Affairs.
Staff Update
Jason Tolleson joined the HPBA leadership team as Senior Director of Government Affairs in July 2024 with over 20 years of experience in working with policy makers at all levels of government. He
started his government affairs career on Capitol Hill working for a congressman from his home state of Hawaii. Tolleson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a focus on United States government and constitutional law.
2024 Legislative Recap
Given the compressed legislative sessions an election year and other political considerations, there were only pockets of legislative activity of interest to the hearth industry. In the fuel choice issue, only Nebraska enacted legislation to protect consumer options. As shown in the map below, this brings the count to 26 states who have enacted similar laws. In conversations with coalition partners, the prime targets for 2025 consideration include Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Prior attempts to enact legislation in Pennsylvania passed the State Senate but were unsuccessful in the House. Planning discussions with coalition partners will resume after the election.
26 STATES WITH FUEL CHOICE LAWS
State Updates
Illinois
There has been activity on multiple policy fronts this year in Illinois. In the General Assembly, legislation was introduced in the final month of their session that would eliminate the direct use of natural gas in the state and fundamentally redesign how the state regulates natural gas utilities. The only activity on the bill was gathering three additional co-sponsors, however, it did lay down a marker for future consideration when the legislature reconvenes in January 2025. Working closely with coalition partners and the regional affiliate, Midwest HPBA, government affairs staff is actively participating in discussions to prepare for the next legislative session.
In related news, the Illinois Commerce Commission continues their work on the “Future of Natural Gas” workshops. Although their authority is limited to summitting recommendations to the state legislature for consideration, HPBA staff will
continue to monitor and provide comments through the process. Presentations to date have come from utility companies, environmental organizations and agency staff in highlighting current and future energy demands, benchmarking against other states and other gas infrastructure issues.
HPBA staff also worked closely with their Midwest affiliate in submitting comments to the Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) on a proposed stretch code that would mandate that builders furnish new construction with electric ready requirements. Additionally, in the proposed commercial stretch code provisions, gas hearth fireplaces are listed as ‘miscellaneous loads’ and subsequently would be prohibited in common areas of multifamily buildings, such as lobbies of condo complexes, senior homes, and other applicable commercial spaces. In a lastminute switch, JCAR pulled the electrification requirements from the code and left it in appendices. While the readiness portion was put in the code but was not included in appendices. Given that state officials were pushing for full
electrification and readiness in the codes, it is worth noting that this complicated outcome still leaves municipalities with the option to implement these changes.
Massachusetts
After successfully lobbying their legislative allies to delay action on climate legislation at the end of the legislative session, the Northeast HPBA affiliate was back in action as Governor Healey called the State House back to consider a supplemental budget request. Included in the proposal were several provisions related to clean energy siting, permitting and procurement that were previously considered by the legislature. At the time that this article was submitted, there has been no final action on the budget proposal. Stay tuned for future updates.
Vermont
As reported last year, the Vermont General Assembly passed legislation to create a Clean Heat Standard program and required the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) to provide a Clean Heat Standard rule to the Legislature by January 15, 2025. PUC advisory working groups released a report on October 1st stating challenges in creating the rule. As highlighted in their report, the “Clean Heat Standard, as currently conceived, requires substantial additional costs and regulatory complexity above the funding needed to accomplish Vermont’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.” Additionally, “Our work over the past year and a half on the Clean Heat Standard demonstrates that it does not make sense for Vermont, as a lone small state, to develop a clean heat credit market and the associated clean heat credit trading system to register, sell, transfer, and trade credits.” The report stated that the PUC is “considering other options
to achieve Vermont’s greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the thermal sector.” NEHBPA and government affairs staff will continue to closely monitor this situation and share these updates with other states with similar proposals.
Solid Fuel Update
EPA Woodstove Regulation
As a result of a lawsuit brought by seven states and one air district in 2023, EPA has agreed to set a deadline for completing the next review of the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). They have targeted December 2027 to complete the woodstove portion of the NSPS, and December of 2028 to complete the Central Heater portion.
The next NSPS will return the
test process to cordwood, and may include a new instrument for testing, known as the tapered element oscillating microbalance, or TEOM. Working closely with HPBA Government Affairs staff, a working group of manufacturers are analyzing the technical aspects of this and will be meeting with the EPA’s test method development team on October 16. In addition to highlighting issues in the test method development, the working group continues to engage with the rule writing team and the industry’s primary concern of “sell-through” of existing products approved under prior testing and certification processes. While the EPA’s work will not impact retailers at this time, there will be anticipated changes after the NSPS is released.
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
As selling season ramps up, HPBA reminds industry contacts of the changes that Congress made to the tax credit two years ago. In addition to now being in a different section of the tax code, the credit only applies to existing homes and can only be taken in the year the product was installed. The IRS put out very clear guidance and retailers should have copies in their stores to avoid any confusion caused by the changes to the credits. Additional information can be found at irs.gov/creditsdeductions/home-energy-taxcredits.
Fireplace Insert Safety Standards
A new safety standard for inserts
into a masonry fireplace should be published soon. HPBA staff will share this information as it made available. Additionally, a second standard for inserts into factory-built fireplaces may be published next spring. Once these safety standards are published, testing labs can begin listing appliances to them. Given the timing of the first standard, some of these inserts may be seen at the HPBA Expo next March.
Codes and Standards
In codes & standards, there are two new bi-national (U.S. and Canada) standards about to be published which will cover solidfuel inserts and hearth-mounted stoves:
• UL/ULC 1390 Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and Hearth-Mounted Stoves for Installation into Masonry Fireplaces is being developed.
• UL/ULC 1391 Solid-Fuel Fireplace Inserts and Hearth-Mounted Stoves for Installation into Factory-Built Fireplaces is due out in the first quarter of 2025. Both new standards provide coverage for appliances that previously did not have a standard here in the U.S. In Canada, UL/ ULC 1390 will replace ULC S628 Fireplace Inserts when it is published. Previously, inserts and hearth-mounted stoves had been listed using UL 1482 Solid-Fuel Type Room Heaters, however going forward UL 1482 will only be used for freestanding wood stoves.
The purpose of these standards is to improve overall safety and to provide a common reference for manufacturers, installers, and consumers. Some highlights of the new standards include:
• An NFPA 211 Level II inspection will be required. Necessary repairs to the
existing system must be made before installing the appliance.
• Installers must follow manufacturer’s instructions and manufacturers must provide detailed instructions for the installation
• Full length liners will be required
• Air-cooled chimneys must maintain their functionality when installing a liner (top plates are available to accommodate this)
• Details will be provided about the use (or restriction) of faceplates/surrounds
• Permitted modifications to the existing fireplace system will be limited
It is worth noting that while liners are not normally permitted to be installed into factory-built chimneys, they will be permissible (and required) as part of the insert’s/hearth-mounted stove’s listing.
In other standards, the Technical Committee overseeing NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances is working through the first set of public comments it received for the 2027 edition. NFPA is expecting to have the first draft posted by March 25, 2025, and the public will have an opportunity to submit comments later in the development process.
2024 Election and Beyond
HPBA staff will provide an analysis on the election results and the potential impacts to the hearth industry in an upcoming issue. An update on local activity will be provided in that issue as well.
For additional information on HPBA’s advocacy efforts, please visit hpba.org. ■
HPBA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS TEAM
Jason Tolleson, Senior Director – Government Affairs
John Crouch, Director – Public Affairs
Eric Adair, Senior Manager – Codes & Standards
Christopher Connor, Policy Manager – Government Affairs
Debbie Wiedwald, Vice President & Advocacy Committee Chair, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Bryan Blasband, Program Manager Supporting Copperfield Academy & Industry Affairs, Copperfield Chimney Supply
BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION
Attending the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s (HPBA) Government Affairs Leadership Academy (GALA) is a jammed packed course with instruction on legislation, codes and standards, and preparing & giving legislative testimony. HPBA government affairs staff share updates about forced electrification and fuel choice efforts, along with discussions about the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) solid fuel testing of wood stoves. Sessions also include networking and leadership best practices.
Previously, HPBA held the Tom Pugh Government Affairs Academy, which was three days of learning. This is the first year of the revamped GALA, which began March 2024 with an in-person session during the HPBA Expo followed by subsequent monthly Zoom meetings. GALA monthly meetings end December 2024, and the current participants will meet with the next class of GALA participants at the 2025 HPBA Expo. GALA attendees include HPBA affiliate members
who represent manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and service companies.
I am honored to be the National Chimney Sweep Guild’s (NCSG) representative to attend GALA. As NCSG’s Advocacy Committee chair, I wanted to expand my knowledge of the legislative process and connect with others interested in government affairs. I appreciate the thorough discussions about how regulations impacts the hearth and chimney service industries.
“I’m on the board of the Pacific HPBA affiliate, which includes California, Nevada, and Hawaii,” said Pat Lopez, GALA participant and founder of Burnie Fireplace Services. “Yes, California and all of its craziness. I started dealing with government affairs issues a year and a half ago in the form of tracking California bills. At the time, I didn’t have much direction but I was tracking them and giving the information to the affiliate board.”
“My position has since changed and our board has decided to pursue government affairs
advocacy on a much higher scale,” Pat continued. “John Crouch, HPBA director of public affairs, kind of twisted my arm and told me that I should participate in GALA. Wow! The classes have really opened up my eyes to all the behind the scenes stuff that happens in our state and federal governments.”
“Among many things we’ve covered, we’ve learned how to read and track bills more efficiently,” Pat explained. “We’ve learned how to find resources that are helpful, and we have found a lot of partners to build coalitions with. All of this stuff we are now doing in our affiliate. You can say that we went from zero to 100 by way of advocacy in just six months of participating in GALA.”
part. We have many bright people involved. It is one of the great things about our industry – many people from all over the country coming together to ensure that our industry not only survives, but thrives. It means the world to me.”
“So far, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned – and this is very hard for me – is that you must stick to the bases when dealing with legislators,” Bryan said. “You cannot stray from the basic premises that you need to convey. There is no room for your
could potentially alter the life and livelihood of thousands. I love being part of the solution. Participating in GALA has afforded me the opportunity to fight for the industry that I love. I could not recommend this more.”
“GALA has been an amazing journey so far,” Bryan said. “I’ve really grown from this experience. I appreciate every lesson learned, especially my GALA colleagues. There are many great minds in this class, and I am truly humbled to be in their presence.”
“You can say that we went from zero to 100 by way of advocacy in just six months of participating in GALA.”
Bryan Blasband, program manager supporting Copperfield Academy and industry affairs at Copperfield Chimney Supply, is another GALA participant.
“One of the great things about GALA is being able to get involved in something that means so much to our industry and the people in it,” Bryan said. “I love seeing the other GALA members, hearing their points of view, and coming together to help lead the way for the future of the industry. I’m very thankful to be part of this and couldn’t be prouder to take
opinion; just present the facts as you have them. I guess you could say, stick to the script. That can be tough to do at times. I’ve learned this in our sessions the hard way. Just ask John Crouch!”
“As I close in on being part of this great industry for 20 years, it’s become a part of me – another family,” Bryan reflected. “And when you feel strongly about something, you want to give back and fight for it. GALA has helped me learn the correct way to deal with the threats that the chimney and hearth industry is facing today and what may be on the horizon. Things that
Pat Lopez concluded by recommending GALA to others in the industry.
“Like it or not, the climate change movement and the government are trying to legislate us out of business,” Pat said.
“If you’re not participating in GALA, you are not aware of the lengths that they are going to force electrification and eliminate natural gas and wood burning –especially here in California. If you care about your industry, you need to fight all of this change.
GALA gives you the tools and the education to get into the fight and be effective. It’s like going to college in that it’s overwhelming at first. But once you start learning the lingo, you start becoming more effective in your area of the fight.” ■
Are you ready to make a difference? Applications for the 2025 GALA are available now. The NCSG would like to see more of our members attend this event. Please look for GALA information in the NCSG’s email newsletter and in the NCSG Members Discussion Facebook group. Please contact me at debbie@blackburnchimney.com if you are interested in participating in the 2025 GALA class.
Full Service Chimney Wins Regional Award for Apprenticeship Program in Kansas
Full Service Chimney™, a Kansas City chimney sweep company, is thrilled to announce its recognition at the recent Kansas to the Stars Business Awards event held last Thursday in Great Bend, Kansas. The company was awarded for its Registered Apprenticeship Program, which has played a significant role in cultivating skilled professionals within the local chimney repair industry in the Kansas City metro area.
Since its founding in 1987, Full Service Chimney has remained committed to delivering exceptional chimney and fireplace services tailored to the needs of homeowners across the Kansas City metropolitan area. The company’s Registered Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide comprehensive training, equipping apprentices with the technical knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to excel as Fireplace and Chimney Repair Technicians. This program contributes to the professional development of its participants and reinforces Full Service Chimney’s commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. Through a structured
training curriculum, apprentices learn the ins and outs of chimney and fireplace care, ensuring that they adhere to the highest industry standards while gaining invaluable skills that will serve them throughout their careers.
The Kansas to the Stars Business Awards event celebrates the achievements of Kansas businesses that show excellence and innovation. Full Service Chimney’s recognition underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to developing a strong workforce equipped to meet the demands of the industry while ensuring that customers receive topnotch service and peace of mind.
As Full Service Chimney continues to grow, the company looks forward to expanding its apprenticeship program and further contributing to the local economy by fostering talent within the chimney care profession. This award not only honors the company’s efforts but also highlights the importance of investing in workforce development for the future. ■
Full Service Chimney accepts the Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Regional Award for East Central Kansas. Pictured from left to right are team members Mary Jo Berry, Bob Berry, Lt. Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland, Sabrina Rodriguez, and Jennifer Martinez.
COACH’S Corner
View Limitations as Opportunities
By Tim Reed, President, WhyFire
What would you do in your business if you had a limitless budget? What if you had an infinite amount of time? Or an inexhaustible number of employees?
Probably nothing of substance. Because limitless potential is simply that—potential. And actualizing potential into something tangible and concrete requires acknowledging and submitting to limitations and constraints.
This isn’t fashionable in our world today. Our pop-culture influencers tell us that limits are the enemy of pleasure, while our business gurus implore us to throw off all constraints to pursue scale and growth. They tell us that all we need to do is learn this hack, and we too can get around the natural limits of time, sleep, and anything else that stands in our way.
because of the opportunities they present.
Why was it that Walmart grew so successfully in the 1960s and 1970s without any major competition? Because they only opened Walmart stores in cities with a population of 2,000 to 20,000 people. That self-imposed constraint kept them under the radar of national competitors for decades and exposed an incredible opportunity to do business in small-town America that everyone else was missing. While many people wish they weren’t limited by their need for sleep, their family demands, or their financial situation, the truth is that there are incredible opportunities that only exist because of those constraints.
“But opportunity isn’t realized in a lack of limitations; opportunity is found in the limitations themselves.”
While this is one way to view the world, I would argue that it sets us down a path of futility. Rather than viewing the natural constraints of our lives—and the world at large—as curses, we can choose to see them as gifts
For years, I didn’t believe this. I thought if I could only get past the limitations in my life, then I’d be able to find and take advantage of opportunities.
But opportunity isn’t realized in a lack of limitations; opportunity is found in the limitations themselves.
When a company shifts from using limitations as excuses to viewing them as opportunities, something powerful happens.
They gain an immediate market advantage for product development, innovation, and efficiency while most other companies are content to navelgaze and maintain the status quo.
Natural Limitations Lead to Innovation and Unrivaled Creativity
Why is it that so many of the greatest artists do their best work before they achieve commercial success? Because the constraint of being poor and desperate is often more effective than excessive wealth and comfort. When I started my software company, we had a certain amount of seed money—and that was it. Banks and loans were not an option. This meant that we had to think hard about how we spent money and not jump at every potential idea. Creative solutions abounded because we simply had no other choice. Necessity is often the mother of invention, and in those formative years, we innovated like crazy because there was no alternative.
In one of our early meetings, we showed our software to a large company. After walking them through one of the projects we’d
just completed, the president commented that the company had recently spent over $1.5 million on a similar initiative with lackluster results. I was shocked—both by the amount the company had spent without a tangible return and the fact that the cost of our project was $300, lots of coffee, and a few months of late nights from a dedicated team.
To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with having a large budget. But in our case, the innovation on the project would have never come without our intense financial limitations.
And it’s not only financial constraints that lead to creativity and innovation. Think about the limitation of where your business
is located.
About 11 years ago, I was given my first “management” position in a retail showroom. The problem was that I was the only employee who worked there (so there was no one to manage except myself), the “showroom” was basically an empty warehouse with some wood stoves on the floor, the building was in a sketchy industrial parking lot that looked like a meth lab, and there were train tracks so close to the building that every time a train passed (which was three to four times per day), the showroom was filled with a deafening noise that lasted about 90 seconds and the floor literally shook. Needless to say, it wasn’t the most inviting place for consumers to come and
buy high-end appliances.
That location was a serious limitation—but it was also an incredible opportunity. During that time, I was forced to think about my sales process and my follow-up process in a way I never would have if I’d had a perfect showroom with consistent foot traffic. It led me to track our weekly door swings and the percentage of customers who received estimates and scheduled in-home appointments before they left. And most importantly, as we gained traction and hired a sales team, it showed us that we had to build our entire business around going out to customers— rather than waiting for them to come in and visit us.
We can all think of natural
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limitations that have led us to opportunities. Maybe it was the opportunity for a new job because there was no path for growth at the current one. Maybe it was creating an installation checklist because there wasn’t enough time to be at every job. Or maybe it was automating inefficient processes because there wasn’t the budget to hire another team member. For me, outside limitations—whether lack of time, money, location, or control—have helped me see opportunities that I would have been blind to otherwise.
If we truly learn to view natural limitations as opportunities, the creativity and innovation that emerge will be incredible.
Chosen Limitations Lead to Focus and Intentionality
Not only do we need to view natural limitations as opportunities, but enduring companies of significance choose to bind themselves with constraints to protect them from themselves.
Just like Sam Walton limiting his expansion to small rural towns in the 1960s, or Bill Hewlett, around the same time, insisting that the 9100A series calculator had to fit within the space of a typewriter, the greatest minds on earth know that freedom comes from within the bounds of limitation.
Think about it. What gives a basketball player the freedom to create? The constraint of the lines on the court, the height of the hoop, and the rules of the game itself. Without these, there’s literally nothing.
The very act of a business choosing limitations to abide by necessitates intentionality—and
that level of focus can steer them around many of the traps that companies in the unregulated pursuit of more fall into.
There was a time in my last job when I was really frustrated with our installation team because it took them forever to run gas line. I was convinced that they were taking hours longer than they should have, and the result was that our schedule in the already busy season was getting pushed out further and further. One day, I was venting to our installation manager about it, and he said, “Fine. This time of year, we won’t run any gas line that’s longer than 15 feet.” I was furious. One of the ways that our sales team won jobs was by taking on gas line. But, as we went ahead with this rule in place, our installs started going faster, and our capacity to install more completely changed. Not only that, but we found that there were a ton of jobs with under 15 feet of gas line, and by exclusively focusing on those, we sold more than ever.
In hindsight, I was completely wrong, and my installation manager was completely right. Given the limitations of our installation team—whether right or wrong—choosing the constraint of selling jobs with less gas line provided an incredible opportunity for installation efficiency and higher profit. By choosing to limit ourselves to certain kinds of work, we clear the way for what’s best for us and our customers.
In my company today, there are two constraints we’ve placed upon ourselves to give us a level of control and intentionality. The first is that we cashflow everything and don’t operate with debt. Even though we could take
out a line of credit, we choose not to. This means that we grow slowly and that innovations must drive revenue. It’s forced us to be ruthless in evaluating the effectiveness of our products because we don’t have the luxury of going out to get more money.
Another constraint we’ve chosen is to limit the number of programmers on our team, which significantly limits our ability to develop every new idea we have. Instead, it forces us to choose the best idea to work on because their time is so valuable. There’s real pain there since the speed of our product development is capped, but it’s well worth it— because without this constraint, we’d run ourselves off the rails chasing every half-baked idea that floats into our heads. In addition, it has capped our cost structure and pushed us to find automations and efficiencies that we never would have bothered with if we could have just hired another programmer.
Companies that go after everything achieve nothing. But companies that choose to limit themselves achieve laserlike focus and intentionality. The journey of business is always bumpy, but self-imposed limitations put you in as much control as possible to ensure you arrive where you want to go.
The siren song of our culture is to throw off all constraints, and this draws many into the vortex of futility. But people who lead lives—and companies—of significance are those with the humility to live within limitations and the faith to stand firm until they find the opportunities therein. ■
The Coach’s Corner column was created by Jerry Isenhour, former president of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and founder of CVC Success Group. Jerry is an industry consultant, educator, and coach.
Regional UPDATES
AT-LARGE
Steve Scally At-Large Director
As your National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) at-large director and chair of the Technical Advisory Council (TAC), I frequently hear from members across the country, particularly regarding coderelated concerns. A recent conversation I had involved educating an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on insulation in solid fuel systems. When working with AHJs, it’s important to remember that it’s all about education. Approach the conversation with an open mind and take the time to listen and engage in constructive dialogue. From my experience, it’s much more effective to meet them where they are rather than trying to force-feed codes and standards.
What I really want to address, though, are the weather and life challenges that many sweeps have faced this year. Between the tornadoes, hurricanes, and other unforeseen hardships, it’s clear that we need to come together as a community. I’d like to highlight the incredible efforts of David Steward and others who have stepped up to support a fellow sweep battling a serious illness. It’s moments like these that remind us of the importance of looking out for one another.
If you’ve been affected by recent events, whether by natural disasters or personal hardships, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support each other through these difficult times. ■
REGION 3
James Owens Region 3 Director
Hurricane Helene. None of us were prepared for what that storm would bring. To my knowledge, our industry members living in those communities are all accounted for, but many face a long road of rebuilding ahead. Tragically, some have lost everything, including loved ones, and many individuals in those areas are still unaccounted for. Coming together to support those impacted is essential. If you’ve been following this tragic event in the news, you’ve seen the heartbreaking destruction; the images alone are enough to break your heart. As I write this, it has only been one week since Helene came through, and the scars are still very fresh.
Businesses in the region will undoubtedly experience significant financial losses during what should be a busy season, and commutes to work now take two to three hours longer than usual.
By the time this is printed, I hope we will have established the immediate needs of those affected and rallied together to assist them. This industry is comprised of generous individuals, and I have no doubt that we will continue to be a light for one another during these difficult times. ■
NEW Certifications
from September 2024
UPCOMING Events
North Central Chimney Guild Winter Workshop
January 20-24, 2025
1405 W Taylor Street, Merrill, WI
Join this fun, interactive learning environment with fellow sweeps and industry professionals. You can look forward to an intro to basic selfrescue, special guest speakers, HAM House home air pressure training, some hands-on masonry training, and more.
Visit thechimneyguild.org to learn more.
Gabriel Cardenas
Bailey’s Chimney
Robert Coss
Bailey’s Chimney
Andrew Leavine Village Chimney & Hearth
Brad Walcutt All Points Chimney Service
Golden State Chimney Sweep Guild 2025 Workshop
February 15, 2025
3676 West Meyers Road, San Bernardino, CA 92407
Mark your calendars for a great chance to network with your southern California peers! This workshop will focus on social media marketing and video editing.
To learn more or join the guild, please contact Lezza Medina at (909) 880-2120.
Many people in the chimney sweep community need support after the mass devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The NCSG is accepting donations to assist with relief efforts. Please scan the QR code to the left to donate.
