The F.I.R.E. Certified
Fireplace & Chimney Inspector Program

Dear Inspector, Installer, and Investigation Professional:

We want to commend you on your interest in the F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector Program. Your interest in the F.I.R.E. Certification Program shows your commitment and professionalism to our industry.

As you may know, The F.I.R.E. Service was established in 2000 after three years of intensive development. This Education Provider recognized the need for subject specific training and education for the hearth industry. This professional education is focused on the inspection and investigation of fireplaces, chimneys vented appliances and vent free products. The subject matter includes but is not limited to the applicable building codes, manufacturer’s specifications, listing requirements, historical performance, product design and application, inspection methodology, report writing, fire technology, loss site analysis and legal support for civil litigation.

The primary goal of the Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service is to increase the knowledge and skill level of its students relative to product performance, appliance chimney and vent installation, professional inspection, and loss analysis of these products.

To accomplish this goal, the F.I.R.E. Service has become the recognized educational leader in the field of inspection, fire and explosion investigation and analysis through its national and regional tested training and education programs. The implementation of tested education ensures not only the attendance but comprehension of the detailed information.

Through the International Association of Fireplace & Chimney Inspectors (IAFCI) and the IAFCI Examination Board, F.I.R.E. Service provides Professional Training Opportunities and qualified examination. The F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector Program serves to recognize the tested knowledge and experience of qualified inspectors and investigators.

This document contains the information necessary to participate in the F.I.R.E. Certification Program. We hope you will find it useful. Should you have any questions after your review of these materials, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

F.I.R.E. Service

5325 Commerce Ave. Unit #5

Moorpark, California 93021

Phone 805-552-9958 / FireService@earthlink.net / www.gotoFIRE.com

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Overview of the F.I.R.E. Certification Program

The focus of the F.I.R.E. Service is to provide a formal and standardized evaluation system for identifying and recognizing those individuals who have the minimum professional training, education and experience to inspect, investigate fire and explosion incidents and/or participate in the civil and criminal litigation which ensues from such inspection, investigations and analyses. Certification by F.I.R.E. Service and the IAFCI Examination Board is achieved by participating in forty-eight hours of intensive training, an additional five to ten hours of mandatory homework, and the subsequent successful completion of the F.I.R.E. Certification Exam. Through this process, the successful applicant demonstrates to the F.I.R.E. Service and the IAFCI Examination Board that he/she has met the minimum requirements and possesses the minimum professional training, tested education and experience mandated by the F.I.R.E. Certification Program. While certification by the F.I.R.E. Service and the IAFCI Examination Board does not, in and of itself, qualify an applicant as an investigator or expert witness for purposes of civil and criminal litigation, applicants have historically utilized the certification as a significant foundation for attaining such recognition and designation in the courtroom.

History of the F.I.R.E. Certification Program

The forty-eight hour training program, text book, power point presentations, and F.I.R.E. Certification Exam were original authored by Dale W. Feb and Jim Farmer. These live documents were first developed over a three year period starting in 1997. The certification program was officially open for education in January 2000. Since this date, the program has been updated and improved upon on a regular basis. These updates and improvements have included changes within the building codes, new information from the manufacturers, scientific information, photographs and detailed information from inspections sites and fire scenes. These improvements have included the assistance of the F.I.R.E. Education Development Committee (F.I.R.E. EDC) founded in 2004. This input was provided by experienced professionals active within the resale, inspection and investigation divisions of the hearth and venting industry. These professionals represent an industry sample from across the United States, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado and California. This process has produced a detailed and Professional Educational Program like no other within this industry. This unique program has experienced great success and provided the necessary information to build your business.

The development of the F.I.R.E. Certification Exam was coauthored by Dale Feb and Jim Farmer in 1999. There were additional individuals that contributed to the exam by offering individual test questions for consideration. This Exam is administered after every F.I.R.E. Certification Course and is not available without attending the hands-on training and certification program. The Certification Program includes the combination of professional education with hands-on product training. 

In 2004 at the HPBA Annual Expo, the F.I.R.E. EDC began assisting in the development of new education product and the refining of the existing F.I.R.E. Certification program. These tasks included new educational courses, review of existing questions and the development of new questions on the F.I.R.E. Certification Exam and the addition of four new quizzes based on the NFPA 211 Standards.

On September 3, 2008 there was a major changing in the examination procedure. The International Association of Fireplace & Chimney Inspectors (IAFCI) Board of Directors voted to establish the IAFCI Examination Board. This Committee was given the task of managing and administering the F.I.R.E. Certification Exam. The IAFCI Examination Board is now responsible for the exam updates, question development, domain classification, question qualification, and the proctoring of the F.I.R.E. Certification Exam. This new direction ensures a professional exam based on the international needs and necessary qualifications of our Fireplace & Chimney Inspectors.

The F.I.R.E. Certification Exam

The F.I.R.E. Certification Exam managed and administered by the IAFCI Examination Board consists of one-hundred and twenty five multiple choice questions which qualify within ten domains categories. These questions have been developed to meet or exceed accepted scientific methods and include the following categories listed in the table below. There are two qualified exams to ensure that students are tested on their own knowledge and not others.

To pass this exam you must score eighty percent or higher. Once you have successfully passed this exam, you must recertify every three years to remain in good standings.

F.I.R.E Certification Exam / Domains, Numbers & Percentages                     06/26/08
Exam Domains	Number	Percentage
1: Building Code & Intent	41	32.8 %
2: Component Application	13	10.4 %
3: Component Identification	9	7.2 %
4: Performance Knowledge	11	8.8 %
5: Fireplace / Appliance Knowledge	9	7.2 %
6: Chimney / Vent System Knowledge	13	10.4 %
7: Inspection / Reporting	7	5.6 %
8: Industry Standards	11	8.8 %
9: System Identification	5	4.0 %
10: Fire Technology	6	4.8 %
Total	125 Questions	100%

Exam Intent

The intent of the IAFCI Examination Board and the F.I.R.E. Certification Program is to create a standardized exam that will increase the professional knowledge and improve the analytical skills of those persons who engage in inspection, service, installation and/or investigation of hearth products and related components.

F.I.R.E. Certification Renewal Requirements

The choice to recertify is a choice of professionalism. These individuals choose to place themselves at the top of their industry. This recertification reflects their commitment to their clients, business and the hearth industry. These individuals are recognized as professional inspectors.

Once you have successfully passed the initial certification exam, you must recertify every three years to remain in good standings. The intent of this recertification process is to continue to improve by means of technical training and knowledge. The F.I.R.E. Service insists on continued education and incorporates this concept into all of its educational courses and presentations. We feel it is critical to success and represents their commitment to their Clients. This recertification process includes the following.

Complete a twenty-five question open book exam based on changes within the current edition of the International Residential Building Code. The answers to this test cannot be found in the same edition of the International Residential Building Code on which the inspector had originally tested. The answers to this recertification exam will be found in the next edition of the International Residential Building Code which runs on a three year cycle. Knowledge of these changes within the building code is critical for the accurate inspection of all new construction and installation. It also gives the inspector a chance to review the code and you must participate, complete and show proof of attendance of a qualified eight hour educational class that pertains to the hearth, fire investigation or inspection industry. The class of your choice must not duplicate the information already received within the F.I.R.E. Certification Course and should be approved prior to attendance to ensure credit. These classes should include but are not limited to code requirements, fire technology, inspection methodology, litigation support, product information and advanced inspection or installation techniques.

Objectives

The objectives of the F.I.R.E. Certification Program are consistent with its intent. Those objectives include the following:

• To promote excellence by means of hand-on professional training and course education.
• To provide qualified education to deliver the necessary knowledge to perform a professional fireplace, chimney and venting inspection.
• To provide a recognized and standardized qualification for the inspection of fuel burning products and their vent/chimney systems.
• To challenge the students knowledge and skill level by providing tested education.

The official business address of the F.I.R.E. Service is;

Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service

5325 Commerce Ave., Suite #5

Moorpark, California 93021

Telephone: 805-552-9958

Fax: 805-552-9123

Email: FireService@earthlink.net

Web Site: www.gotoFIRE.com

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Registration:

Payment:
The required registration fee may be submitted in the form of Master Card / Visa credit, or a check or money order made payable to the F.I.R.E. Service.

Payment Options:
There are several payment options to choose from. These options will assist you in this business changing endeavor.

Layaway Payment Plan:
The “Layaway Payment Plan” financing plan is a pre-payment opportunity. All funds go 100% towards your enrolment with no service fees or taxes applied. These monthly payments can ease the burden on your cash flow as your company continues to grow. With a signed agreement and a non-refundable $200.00 deposit, you are on your way to professional education that will quickly pay for itself. You will then have easy monthly installments of $200.00 USD. Any remaining balance is due forty-days prior to the start of the Certification Course. This enrolment option must be paid in full a minimum of forty days prior to the start of class. However, you have the option to increase the monthly fees or payoff the remaining balance at any time without penalty. (This discount is not valid with any other discounts or offers and has no cash value. All classes are subject to cancelation based on class attendance.)

Class Preparation:

Be prepared with an opportunity to pre-study. Your required text books can be mailed to your location along with a valuable pre-course study guide if paid in full forty days prior to the start date. (Please note that the availability of the text books may affect early shipment for pre-study. This offer does not include the F.I.R.E. Certification Text Book which will be present at the start of class. The F.I.R.E. Certification Text Book is already included within the class registration fee) (This discount is not valid with any other discounts or offers and has no cash value. All classes are subject to cancelation based on class attendance.)

Cancellation & Refund Policies:

In order to receive a full refund (less the nonrefundable $150.00 processing fee), you must cancel in writing (30 days prior) to your course date. If notice is received (12-29 days before) the start of your selected course date, the registration fee is 50% refundable. If notice is received (11 days or less) before the start of your selected course date, no refund will be offered. You may send a substitute student in the place of the original registrant. You will need to notify our office in writing of this change prior to the start of the selected course date. There are no refunds for partial attendance.

Nonrefundable Registration Fee:

The $150.00 nonrefundable registration fee is utilized to defray the associated costs of processing, printing, shipping and purchases of reference material.

Switching Class Dates:

If you choose to switch course dates 30 days or more prior to your selected course date, there is no additional fee (less nonrefundable processing fee). If you switch class dates 29 days or less before the start of your originally selected course date, the same terms apply as noted within our “Cancellation & Refund Policies” listed above. When re-enrolling for a new date, regular course fees and the $150.00 processing fee will apply.

Additional Information:

For additional information or a registration package for the F.I.R.E. Certification Program or any other educational opportunities provided by this company, please contact

F.I.R.E. Service

5325 Commerce Ave., Unit #5

Moorpark, California 93021

Phone 805-552-9958 / Fax: 805-552-9123

FireService@earthlink.net / www.gotoFIRE.com