WETT INSPECTION ORILLIA | BARRIE | MIDLAND | SIMCOE-MUSKOKA

Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by holders of valid certificates. Through its administrative designate, Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. functions as the national registrar of the Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. program. Through professional training and public education, Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of wood burning systems in Canada.

Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. are the governing body who work with insurance underwriters and government bodies, to ensure safe installations and provide standards for inspections and insurance compliance of wood burning appliances, such as wood stoves and open fireplaces.

Certified Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc.inspectors will specifically inspect components of all wood-burning appliances and fireplaces to determine if they were installed safely and in accordance with building and fire code requirements. Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. inspectors are required to complete a minimum of four days of formal training and declare a minimum of 80 weeks of related field experience before being certified.

WETT inspections typically include examinations of: Chimney, Liner, Smoke Chamber, Damper, Firebox, Hearth & Clearances. Typically a visual inspection of chimney and components is all that is required during a Site Basic inspection. For Woodstove and Flue Pipe the Manufactures Installation instructions apply regarding distance to combustibles and heat protection. If problems are found a Level 2 or 3 WETT Inspection maybe required. It is important to remember a Site Basic Inspection is only a Visual Inspection!

Most home insurance companies now require that all their fireplaces or wood stoves be ”WETT certified“. The problem is that there is no such thing as a WETT certification, only registered testing agencies (such as Underwriters Laboratory Canada, Underwriters Laboratory ( US version) or Warnock Hersey) can “certify” units mandated by the codes in CSA B365 through specific unit testing. However, this does not mean that WETT Certified inspections are not important!

WETT is actually a training organization that teaches inspectors how to check for code compliance and safety with wood burning appliances. They often are involved when you buy or have a wood burning appliance like a fireplace or wood burning stove installed. They also may help with maintenance and the prevention of problems. When someone is WETT certified, it means that they are certified to perform safety checks and maintenance on a wood burning appliance. The term doesn’t apply to your wood burning stove or fireplace, but rather, to the person who is inspecting these appliances.

For Insurance Inspections a Site Basic Inspection will be enough to tell the inspector if the installation of your wood burning appliance is safe. In extreme cases, such as after a “Chimney Fire” you may need a Higher Level of inspection to make sure that even the parts you can’t see are working properly. A WETT certified member can handle basic visual inspections, but it takes a WETT certified technician to actually conduct the more intensive inspections. Technicians can also can remove parts and open up areas to inspect and perform maintenance on wood burning appliances or fix major problems that have arisen.