Wett Inspection Information

DEFINITION: A WETT inspection is the inspection of a solid-fuel-burning system, performed by a WETT-certified professional, for compliance with applicable codes and standards.

WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) is recognized nationally as the self-regulating education body solely responsible for the standards-based education and certification of individuals. There is no national government agency that requires a solid-fuel-burning system to be installed, constructed, serviced or inspected by a WETT-certified professional.

A WETT Inspection is, however, a requirement that is being mandated by the insurance industry. The definition, therefore, should be communicated to all stakeholders to avoid the use of non-inspection terminology.

A WETT-certified professional does not and cannot certify, pass, fail or condemn a solid-fuel-burning appliance or system, nor render it (verbally or in written form) safe or unsafe.

A WETT-certified professional does not issue a WETT certificate.

A WETT-certified inspector cannot and should not guarantee that a solid-fuel-burning system will perform in a manner as claimed by the product manufacturer or builder. The inspector’s role is to verify compliance or non-compliance to applicable codes and standards, based on the type of inspection conducted.

Terms and terminology used in the body of the SITE Table are included in the definitions to ensure consistency and correctness.

Every WETT Inspection™ begins with a complete Visual Inspection. A WETT-certified professional, as a policy or a business practice, may choose to do only Technical Inspections. However, WETT requires that the Technical Inspection must include all the requirements of a Visual Inspection (see Technical Inspection Scope: What is required). This principal also applies to Invasive Inspections.

There is nothing to prevent the inspector who has been contracted to perform a specific level of inspection from conducting parts of a higher level of inspection. However, the level of inspection must be clearly communicated and understood. The documentation (report) must state the level of inspection performed.

It is absolutely necessary that members understand the SITE Table, definitions, guidelines and process. Most problems arise because WETT members do not understand or apply these principles when communicating with the client.

A Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) inspection is a thorough inspection of your wood burning appliance by a certified technician. A certified technician is trained to identify local code compliance standards. This inspection ensures compliance with the Manufactures Installation Requirements, Ontario Building Code Requirements and CSA B365 Requirements

What is Creosote?

Creosote is, at its core, a byproduct of incomplete combustion. It starts off as a gas, then cools into a sticky liquid that adheres to the side of a chimney flue. Finally, the tarry liquid hardens on the side of the walls of the chimney, forming a hard, sooty substance.

The chemical makeup of creosote is complex and often depends on the type of wood burned, the temperature at which it was burned, the amount of airflow in the firebox, and more highly variable factors.

In most cases, though, creosote consists of what are called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It also primarily consists of tar, soot, and moisture. Depending on the type of wood fuel from which it formed, creosote may also contain acids, phenols, or aldehydes.

Types of Creosote

Creosote is a tar-like byproduct of the combustion fumes created when firewood is burned. As the smoke from wood fire travels up the chimney, condensation occurs that results in brownish-black creosote deposits in the flue lining. Creosote is highly flammable and contains toxic chemicals that can be harmful if inhaled. The three types of creosote are increasingly difficult to remove, though type three actually can be impossible to remove. The three types of creosote are:

• Type 1 Creosote is composed of loose, flaky deposits that are easy to brush away using professional chimney cleaning brushes.
• Type 2 Creosote is made up of hardened, tarry flakes that resemble cornflakes cereal. Specialized brushes or scrapers are often required for this type of creosote removal.
• Type 3 Creosote is hardened, and it looks as though tar has been poured down the chimney. Special equipment is used for removal, though sometimes a chimney liner replacement is necessary to eliminate the heightened chimney fire risks associated with this form of creosote.

Why You Should have a WETT Insection!