Reminder: WETT Resources for Members
Valued member,
As a follow up to our previous communication on the launch of new resources for members, we are pleased to provide some further updates.
The organization has secured a trademark for the title “WETT Inspections™.” This provides us with an opportunity to further reinforce the quality and integrity of inspections undertaken by our qualified members. In order to ensure consistency, WETT has worked to develop the following resources to compliment the use of the term “WETT Inspection™.”
Standards of Practice for Inspections
SITE® Table
WETT Inspection Forms
SITE® Inspection Course
In keeping with our Mission Statement:
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“To foster and promote among certificate holders the highest level of professional conduct in the delivery of services to the public.”
Standard of Practice (SOP) for Inspections: This provides our membership with best practices in providing inspections to the general public and ensures there is consistency across the board with how our members engage with clients.
There is an element of potential liability, so a thorough and consistent method of work is required — do your due diligence, as both a credit to you and your professionalism as well as to the customer who hired you. Ensure the homeowner is fully aware of the extent of your contracted WETT Inspection® services. You can use the Consumer Inspection Brochure, found in the Documents section of the members’ section of the WETT Inc. website, to help you.
WETT-certified professionals are all bound — both ethically and by code requirements — to adhere to a high standard of professionalism. This includes advocating on behalf of:
the manufacturer of an appliance;
the governing bodies & authorities having jurisdiction that their business practices are aligned with and;
the homeowner who has selected a WETT-certified professional to review the installation of that appliance.
These standards of practice are the first step, with standards currently in development for installers and chimney sweeps.
“To encourage and promote the safe and efficient use of wood energy through the distribution of public information materials through the collaboration with government agencies and related industries.”
SITE® Table: To further enhance our communication with members and the general public, WETT has also re-developed the SITE® Levels of Inspection table that has stood as a guide for inspections for many years. Through feedback from both members and the public, we determined that further clarity to this table was required. This will stand to further enhance open communication between members and the public. The team has since created two versions:
A SITE® table for members: provides some clarity on what the minimum expectations are when inspecting, and what some key indicators are for deciding to move to a more comprehensive approach.
A SITE® table for the general public: provides a view to what is included in an inspection, with some key indicators that may require a WETT-certified professional to recommend further exploration. This table was developed with careful consideration to technical terms that the general public may not fully comprehend.
These tables say the same thing, but the language is tailored to each audience.
The WETT Reference Manual states “The inspection of a solid-fuel-fired heating system is a demanding and sensitive job.” Managing a homeowner’s expectations of what will be provided to them is key; educating the general public about the types of inspection & determining the correct type of inspection required for their purpose is important.
“To promote the interests and activities of the members of the organization in a reasonable and legal manner.”
Recommended Inspection Forms: These forms have been updated and are available in the Documents section of the members’ section of the WETT Inc. website. These forms are strongly recommended for member use and stand to ensure consistency in the service that our members provide to the public.
The forms have been designed to guide you through a thorough inspection, complete with references to codes and recommendations for photos and documentation.
Ensure you fill out as much information in the forms as possible. Have the manufacturer’s certified installation instructions available during your inspection to help you determine & document correct clearances. Take lots of pictures, as these will assist in your reporting practices. Ensure all safety & code requirements have been met (carbon monoxide detectors are required in all locations). Know your local building and fire code requirements as well.
SITE® Inspection Course: The new SITE® inspection course has been developed to train our members — and those on the path to certification — on the use of all the tools mentioned above. The comprehensive, two-day course (with online pre-course module) has been mandated as the next continuing education course for all existing members, and has replaced the SITE® Basic Inspection and SITE® Comprehensive Inspection courses.
We are sure you will benefit from the use of these valuable resources, made available to you as WETT-certified members, to further enhance the value of the title “WETT Inspections™.”
All of these tools and initiatives have been developed to work as a unit with one goal in mind; bridging the communication gap between WETT-certified professionals and those we service. We are confident that you will find them valuable resources and a benefit of WETT membership.