The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a United States non-profit educational institute that educates American homeowners, home inspectors, chimney sweeps, firefighters and related professionals about the prevention of chimney fires and carbon monoxide intrusion. The organization builds awareness of the need for annual chimney inspections and service by a qualified chimney professional. CSIA was created in 1983 as the educational arm of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. Every chimney sweep in the U.S. and Canada is eligible to participate. The president of the 2017-18 board of directors at CSIA is Chuck Hall, who is a certified chimney sweep through CSIA. As a measurement of technical expertise, the CSIA certifies chimney and venting professionals. Additional certifications offered by the CSIA include CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician and the CSIA Master Chimney Sweep designation. The nationalboard of director officers of CSIA are Hall, Vice President Chuck Roydhouse, Treasurer Darin Bibeau, and Secretary Hope Stevenson. They were elected Mar. 21, 2017.
History
CSIA was formed in 1983 and took control of what was then the certification program of the NationalChimney Sweep Guild. In 2000, CSIA’s C-DET credential was launched during the National Chimney Sweep Guild convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In 2002, CSIA opened the CSIA Technology Center in Plainfield, Indiana an Indianapolis suburb in order to host hands-on training opportunities for chimney sweeps and related professionals. In 2014, CSIA enhanced the Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician credential by partnering with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. The CSIA board on May 23, 2014 approved a first-ever Memorandum of Understanding between both associations. NADCA has more than 1,000 member companies with over 1,700 Air Systems Cleaning Specialists, a certification specifically for HVAC system Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration that includes any ventilation/exhaust ducts, except kitchen exhaust.
