Professional Certifications Are Important
If someone says to you, “You’re certifiable,” that’s not typically a good comment. It’s an expression used as a negative with respect to one’s mental health. But at Old Smokey’s Fireplace & Chimney, we’ll gladly take “you’re certifiable” as a compliment. Because we are certifiable — and proud of it. Being certified and certifiable sets us apart from those who lack rigorous training credentials.
In business today, you frequently hear words like “qualified,” “trained,” and “expert.” They are fine words, and we have no quarrel with anyone who uses such terms. But the ordinary Sam or Samantha might rightly ask, “What does that mean?” and “How can you prove the value of these terms?”
That’s where certification comes in.
What does professional certification mean for you in practical terms? It means added confidence in our work, greater assurance regarding your health and safety, and extra comfort in the “quality” of our work. There’s that word again.
What sorts of professional certifications are there in our industry? Most notably, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certifies technicians so that they have the skills and tools to inspect or clean your chimney properly.
Old Smokey’s employs CSIA-certified professionals.
Let’s see what this means for you as a consumer.
CSIA certification involves compliance with a set of rigorous industry standards that yield quality to our customers. The CSIA is a non-profit organization, thereby safeguarding itself from bias or commercial conflict.
Professionals who are CSIA-certified pass a rigorous examination and agree to abide by a stringent code of ethics.
So, how does this help you as a homeowner? It protects you because any CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep found in violation of the code of ethics runs the risk of having CSIA certification revoked. In other words, the ethics code has some teeth in it. And that’s good for you the customer.
The CSIA meets the highest educational standards. The certification credential was established in 1983, so it has withstood the test of time. It’s not some business owner’s hastily concocted promotional scheme. Far from it, the CSIA’s focus on continuing education and training yields value to the homeowner owing to the CSIA’s commitment to preventing residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion, and other chimney-related hazards.
Again, we’re proud that our folks are CSIA-certified.
While not necessarily certifications per se, other types of training include National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) standards, education in and compliance with NFPA-211 codes and recommendations, and best practices gleaned from our own experience with customers like you.
Another certification body is the National Fireplace Institute. The NFI is the certification arm of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation (HPBEF), a nonprofit educational organization for the hearth industry. As with any certification entity, the NFI assesses its industry and devises standards of information, knowledge, training and compliance.
For more than 20 years, Old Smokey’s has served homeowners in northern Indiana, northern Ohio and mid-Michigan. We serve folks from Elkhart in the west to Ypsilanti in the east, from Lansing in the north to Defiance and Fort Wayne in the south.
Old Smokey’s CSIA-certified professionals have the skills and tools to inspect and service your chimney according to the strictest standards and practices.
Call us at today 260-424-0009 or 800-876-6539 or schedule an appointment online. We’re certifiably glad to hear from you!