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Certified WETT Inspections for Wood Stoves, Fireplaces, Pellet Stoves and Boilers

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WETT Certified Inspections for Midland

WETT Inspections for all wood burning applances in Midland.  When buying a home most insurance companies now require a WETT Certified Inspection prior to insuring your property.   Many sellers now will provide a WETT Certified Inspection Report confirming their installation is compliant to the applicable codes.  Many home buyers are completely unaware how expensive it can be to bring a non-compliant installation up to manufactures or Ontario Building Code requirements.

What is a WETT Inspection?

WETT  (Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc.) is a non-profit training organization that provides in-depth training for inspectors of wood-burning appliances to check for code compliance and adherence to safety requirements. A WETT certified inspector has met the qualifications for performing these inspections.

WETT certified inspections are often required by home insurance companies when a property being insured has a wood-burning appliance, such as a wood stove or fireplace. The certified inspector will ascertain if the installation was carried out safely and in compliance with all fire and building code regulations.

The construction of Fireplaces is governed by Part 9 of the Ontario Building Code and CSA B-365.  Unfortunately items covered are not “Grandfathered” and are required to conform to the lastest standards to meet compliance.

Wood Stoves are required to be installed in accordance to the manufactures instructions.  Certifed Wood Stoves will have a label on the stove which indicates what Listing Agency tested the appliance and will also list the Distances to Combustibles that is permitted, floor protection if required and size of ember pad.

A Certified WETT Inspection lists the compliance of the wood burning appliance at the time of the inspection.  It depends on your insurance company individual policy for how old a report they will accept.

Preparing for Your WETT Inspection

Here are some basic items a home owner can check themselves prior to booking a WETT Inspection.

Checking your Fireplace

  • Check the firebox for cracked firebricks or lining material. Replace any cracked firebricks to keep the firebox in good shape and prevent overheating which can warp steel components and turn the unit into scrap.
  • Check the operation of the damper. Quite often dampers are seized or broken which can lead to unsafe or poor operating conditions.
  • For masonry chimneys, replace any deteriorated or spalling masonry and caulk flashings as needed.
  • Ensure rain caps are present to prevent water leakage inside chimneys and their liners.
  • Clean the unit so a proper inspection can be performed.

 

Checking your Wood Stove

  • Check the interior of the firebox for cracked firebricks, replace any cracked firebricks to keep the firebox in good shape and prevent overheating which can warp steel, crack welds and render your unit useless.WETT-Inspection Heat Shield
  • Ensure flue pipes are properly secured with three screws per pipe connection or equivalent pipe clamps installed as per mfg. specs. Ensure the pipe fittings are oriented correctly and the pipe is also sloped correctly.
  • Check the damper operation, door gasket for deterioration and the door glass for cracking.
  • Ensure any heat shields are secured and in good condition.  ( custom heat shields have to meet requirements of CSA B365 )
  • Keep wood storage and combustible materials at least 4 feet away from the wood stove in all directions at ALL times.

WETT Inspection – Items Inspected 

Below is a list of items that may be inspected by your WETT Certified Inspector on a Wood Stove, Pellet Stove or Fireplace inspection:

Typically, when people are looking for an insurance type of inspection, a WETT certified inspector will conduct a visual Level I inspection to determine if there is evidence of any problems with the installation.

The Level I inspection is essentially a general overview of the readily accessible parts, clearances, chimney heights, stove location with respect to combustible materials and visual signs to determine if the system meets the CSA Standard B365 (Installation Code for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and Equipment).

Many older wood stoves require a significant distance between the stove and combustibles walls etc.   Some stoves will require up to or exceeding 36 inches,  which in most cases is not feasible for the home owner.  The only recourse, other than replacing with a newer stove, is to install a heat shield which can reduced required clearance by  up to 67%.   The heat shield has to be constructed to comply with CSA B365 which specifies the material that can be used and dimensions for placement.  See Diagram Below

Heat Shield Reduction

 

Roger Frost is always available by phone to discuss your installation or answer questions you may have pertaining to an Inspection or Installation of a Wood Burning Product.  Some requirements such a Floor Protection can be fairly complicated for the average home owner to understand,  that’s where we come in to ensure you have the correct information pertaining to your installation.

To speak with a qualified professional regarding WETT certified inspections and how this training and experience can provide peace of mind for your purchase and installation, contact Roger Frost by calling 705-795-8255 or sending an email 

inspect@wett-inspection.com