WETT Certified Inspections for Barrie | Alliston | Orillia
We also cover most of Simcoe County area for WETT Certified Inspections.
We provide Certified WETT Inspections to the following areas: Angus, Alliston, Barrie, Bond Head, Loretto, Collingwood, Elmvale, Oro Station, Craighurst, Horseshoe Valley, Hawkestone, Orillia, New Tecumseth, New Lowell, Midhurst, Stayner, Creemore, Innisfil, Alcona Beach, Gilford, Wasaga Beach, Midland, Penetanguishene, Bradford, Oro-Medonte, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Severn, Springwater, Essa, Clearview, Adjala Tosorontio, Washago and all of Simcoe County.
During weekends we will offer Wett inspections for cottages in Bala, Port Carling, Honey Harbour, Muskoka, Gravenhurst, Georgian Bay, Severn, Lagoon City, Brechin, Kawartha Lakes and Ramara.
What is WETT ?
Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.) is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by holders of valid WETT certificates. Through its administrative designate, WETT Inc. functions as the national registrar of the WETT program. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood-burning systems in Canada.
In carrying out its mandate to promote increased safety and effectiveness, WETT Inc. maintains the Wood Energy Technical Training program (WETT). The program is designed to:
- Provide training to those who offer wood-energy products and installation and maintenance services to the public and to those who conduct inspections of wood-burning systems,
- Confirm and recognize the knowledge and skills acquired through field experience, self-study and successful completion of WETT courses by issuing certificates of qualification,
- Provide training to specialty audiences as the need and demand arises.
The WETT system consists of several courses recognizing the various types of work done by wood-energy professionals. Certification is achieved by completing courses to earn educational credits. A technical reference manual has been prepared to assist trainees in preparing for courses and as a reference for certificate holders. WETT-certified professionals must abide by a code of ethics requiring professionalism in all aspects of their work. The installation and maintenance of wood-burning appliances is not regulated in Canada. As a non-profit training and educational association, WETT does not oversee, nor is it responsible for, the workmanship of its members. As such, WETT does not act as a regulator. WETT does maintain internal processes to address breaches of our code of ethics, however WETT cannot become involved in resolving consumer disputes.
Why You Need a WETT Certified Inspection
Most insurance companies now require your Fireplace, Wood Stove, Pellet Stove or Fireplace Insert to be inspected by a WETT Certified Inspector. In the last couple of years local municipalities are also require any one installing a fireplace have the unit inspected by a WETT Certified Technician. A certified technician is trained to identify local code compliance standards. WETT Certified Inspections are based on the Ontario Building Code, CSA B365 and Fire Code. All manufactured parts for fireplaces, wood stoves and pellet stoves are typically tested by an Approved Testing Facility such as Warnock Hersey, Under Writers Laboratory, InterTeck, or Canadian Standards Association. Every model of a wood stove would have to be tested individually to be able to attach a Rating Label from Inspecting Authority. Home owners who heat with a wood burning appliance, such as a wood stove, fireplace or pellet stove, could be at risk. An inspection by a Wood Energy Technology Transfer (WETT) technician can verify correct installation and safe condition of your heating unit. Deterioration of chimney liner or excessive build up of creosote could create a fire risk to your chimney and even your home. Due to the inherent dangers of having an open flame appliance in your home, a WETT specialty inspection can give you the peace of mind you need when buying or selling a home, living in a home, and can also be a requirement when securing insurance. The Barrie WETT Inspector is your local WETT Certified Expert.
What Type of WETT Inspection Do I Need?
Most Home Owners only require a Level One Site Basic Inspection for their wood burning appliances. There are 3 Levels of WETT Inspections with different levels of inspection which, as in the case of Level 3 may require tools to complete inspection. In most cases a chimney should be cleaned prior to inspection. Cracks and other deficiencies may not be readily visible unless chimney has been recently cleaned.
Level One – Site Basic Inspection
A Site Basic Inspection is all that is required for Insurance Company Requirements and Municipality Required Inspections. In order to obtain a Site Basic Inspection Level the applicant has to complete the Code Compliance Course, Wood Burning Systems Course and Site Basic Inspection. To complete the Certification Process the applicant must complete eighty weeks of industry experience. The Objectives of the Site Basic Training is the following:
- To introduce participants to the Levels of Inspection and SITE Guidelines and the roles and responsibilities for WETT professionals when conducting inspections of solid-fuel-burning appliances.
- To prepare you to conduct, document and report on a basic visual inspection of a wood-burning appliance and its venting system.
The Scope of Site Basic Training To create more uniformity in inspection activities and provide participants with instruction in level-one inspection activities. Included in this course are: Inspection Checklists that have been purposely developed to guide you in the field inspection, a documentation and reporting process that will provide you with the essential and required content for your Inspection Report. Training Content
- Levels of inspection and SITE Guidelines
- Homeowner communication
- The wood-burning stove and flue pipe inspections
- Factory-built chimney inspections
- Masonry chimney inspections
- Masonry fireplace inspections
- Factory-built fireplace inspections
- Fireplace insert and hearth-mounted stove inspections
Beware of False Information: The are a number of websites where they refer to NFPA-211 as Justification for requiring a Level 2 WETT Inspection. This is totally false as there are no Ontario or Canadian Codes which refer to the American NFPA-211 which would make them the Authority Having Jurisdiction. If someone is trying to mislead you to generate more money for their services would you really trust them to be honest in the rest of their transactions.
Level Two – Site Comprehensive Inspection
Course Prerequisites You must have been WETT Certified for at least 2 years. Comprehensive Inspection Course Objectives
- To review the Levels of Inspection and SITE Guidelines and the roles and responsibilities for professionals when conducting comprehensive inspections of solid-fuel-burning appliances.
- To prepare you to conduct, document and report on a comprehensive inspection of a wood-burning appliance and its venting system.
Course Content
- Levels of inspection and SITE guidelines
- Homeowner communication
- Comprehensive Inspection Reporting
- Factory-built chimney inspections
- Masonry chimney inspections
- Masonry fireplace inspections
- Factory-built fireplace inspections
- Fireplace insert and hearth-mounted stove inspections
Chimney Sweeping Course
Course Prerequisites Successful completion of the Code Compliance, Wood-burning Systems and SITE Basic Inspection courses. Eighty (80) weeks of industry experience is required to achieve certification. Course Content
- Regulatory issues related to sweeping
- Potential hazards and risk prevention
- Diagnosis and trouble-shooting
- Tools and techniques used in sweeping
- Communicating with the householder
- Oil and gas systems
- Masonry chimney repair
- Sweeping after a chimney fire
Level 1 is a visual inspection. The inspector visually examines the wood burning system with no use of ladders or tools. Many items are examined during the process. Wood burning stove, flue pipes, chimney, hearth and masonry and distances from combustibles are just to name a few items checked to make sure everything is in good working order. There are also different types of inspections for wood stoves, fireplaces and pellet stoves.
A Level 2 inspection is the next step in the inspection process. The use of tools, such as a ladder, is required as well as the removal of the doors to complete a more thorough inspection.
A Level 3 inspection is the most thorough level. This level of inspection might require special tools to remove or alter the wood burning system in order to complete a more thorough inspection. For real estate or insurance needs, usually a level 1 is most common. Only if the inspector sees an issue a level 2 or 3 inspection might be needed. The SITE Comprehensive Inspector is the highest level of inspector with WETT, and is also either a Chimney Sweep or Technician. This means the individual has taken more hours of classroom work, written more exams and most importantly has spent many more years as a WETT Certified Inspector. As the Comprehensive Inspector has already reached the SITE Basic Level as well as either/or the Sweep and Technician levels, the Comprehensive course is focused on advanced reporting and diagnostic techniques. The Comprehensive Inspector is able to perform a Level 1, 2 or 3 inspection on wood burning appliances. The Level 2 includes the addition or removal of one or more components in the system, replacement of any component with dissimilar type, prior to relining or replacement of chimney flue, after an operational malfunction or upon sale/transfer of property to another owner. The Level 3 includes anything where it is necessary to investigate for any damage which may have been caused to the system or building or where a hazard has been detected or is suspected. The Level 3 is or can be very invasive and may include the removal of drywall and other building pieces.
Barrie WETT Inspection YouTube Video
What is Included in WETT Inspection
These are some of the common items checked during your WETT Inspection – This is not a complete list, just a sample of some typical items