gas fueled fireplaces

[John Dirks Jr]

I see quite a few gas fueled fireplaces, both nat gas and LPG. I must admit I should now more about them.

Where can I learn the details about inspecting them, all the different types and how to operate them?

Where can I learn everything I should know?

[John Kogel]

Napolean, Montigo, and Valor are 3 brands that I see a lot. Check their webs. Go to the local store, chat with the installers.

[John Dirks Jr]

Napolean, Montigo, and Valor are 3 brands that I see a lot. Check their webs. Go to the local store, chat with the installers.

Thanks, I'll look those up.

I wonder if there are any CEU courses about them. I guess I should check on that too. Anyone have any used coarse materials they would like to part with. I care more about the education itself than the actual credit.

[Jack Murdock]

John,
Contact the Mid Atlantic Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association MAHPBA (http://www.mahpba.com) you can check on a schedule for upcoming classes regarding hearth products in your area. (most have already been held for this season) National Fireplace Institute has certification programs for gas wood and pellet appliances.

Jack

[Rick Vlahos]

The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Education Foundation offers a wide selction of online classes. Some are taught live others are recorded. Check it out at http://www.hpbef.org/online

[John Dirks Jr]

Thanks for all the suggestions gentleman. I like the online course idea. I'll check that out for sure.

[Bob Harper]

John, there is no such thing as "learning it all" with one stop shopping but here is a brief description:
The National Fireplace Institute has certifications for Wood, Gas and Pellet Specialist. These certs are geared towards general industry principles and generic technical info. They do not teach you how to inspect or service hearth appliances but more to recognize them by their different types of technology. NFI Certified (http://www.nficertified.org) is where you can take the online training Rick V. mentioned.

You can contact the Mid-Atlantic HPBA in the Spring for their annual program.

The FIRE Certified Fireplace Inspector program has the ONLY program in the country that actually teaches you how to inspect chimneys, vents and combustion appliance venting. It is 5 1/2 days of hands-on training by the leading authority in the country Dale Feb. You can click on the banner on this site to get more info.

You can also check out the HPBA's national website as they have tons of great info. not only on the appliances but industry news esp. in Gov't Affairs where you can find links to all sorts of events, projects, studies, etc.
Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (http://www.hpba.org)

You just missed a Gas and Wood NFI Certification courses at the International Assn. of Fireplace and Chimney Inspector's Training Center in Richmond, Va. Check back as we sponsor some new and exciting programs there IAFCI : International Association of Fireplace & Chimney Inspectors : Professional Fireplace, Chimney & Venting Inspectors : Home (http://www.iafcipro.org)

You could take mfrs. training. If you run into the same brands all the time, you might contact them regarding upcoming training opportunities but honestly very few mfrs. have offered any training this yr.

[John Dirks Jr]

Thanks Bob.

Hey, I wonder if theres a way in can hook a zip drive to your brain and upload what you know.

I guess I should first ask, is there anything that you know that I would rather not? :D

[Bob Harper]

John, that's a scary place indeed. It scares me when I have to go there. Yes, there are many things in there you'd rather not see. For instance, I can still see my high school shiney, tight shirt, bell bottom knit pants and platform shoes!