Are you certified?
- Thread starter Grant
- Start date
Mobilwash
New member
John: It's funny that you said that cause that is exactly what I said when I read Roger's post so I went to the NFPA 96 code 2008 edition and he was right. It says 96-21/11.6.1 Shall be cleaned by a properly trained,qualified, and certified company or person(s) acceptable to the AHJ. That is really interesting any ideas why they would step backwards in the code?? Bare Metal seemed pretty straight forward.
dh
dh
mbryan
New member
Make sure you get in on this Rusty. Right now it looks like they are only considering IKECA, and I am sure Phil's name got thrown around as well. You might want to consider a cheap certification like IKECA has, from the article on the Boston certification it looks like the direction they are going is finding the cheapest one.
RustyACE
President CHDCA
I can see where some might imagine the short term value in creating a low cost certification that doesn't actually make sure that the individual cleaning the grease exhaust system is "certified."
This is a main sticking point with CHDCA.
That the person that's actually on the job site, has actually been properly trained, qualified and is in fact the person that is certified to clean it.
I've contacted Disney about getting some 'Magic Wand Certification Rods', but come to find out they have an exclusive contract with IKECA to provide these.
So I guess for now, we'll just do it the old fashioned way, of training One Person to DO IT RIGHT, and then Certify that they know what they are doing.
Then we take the NEXT person, and make sure that they know what they are doing.
So far, we've properly trained, qualified and certified over 170 individuals to do this industry.
Some have gone on to LEAD our competitors in this industry, and we are VERY proud of them.
Others have taken the lead in their communities as TOP TEIR Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Companies.
That's the kind of people who choose "Hood Cleaning School" as their choice to get into the Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Business industry.
So, if Boston is READING this, and I'm sure that they are, requiring ONE kind of certification is never the best answer.
We on the NFPA 96 Technical Committee, will never recommend a particular "BRAND" of certification, that is it will never say that "a person must be properly trained, qualified and (insert your brand here) certified."
We have our people on the Ground in Boston, and Boston can be the shining example of how to properly do this.
Or they can just another example of a 'Knee-Jerk' reaction to a perceived problem that could have been fixed all along the way by just enforcing the existing codes on the books.
This is a main sticking point with CHDCA.
That the person that's actually on the job site, has actually been properly trained, qualified and is in fact the person that is certified to clean it.
I've contacted Disney about getting some 'Magic Wand Certification Rods', but come to find out they have an exclusive contract with IKECA to provide these.
So I guess for now, we'll just do it the old fashioned way, of training One Person to DO IT RIGHT, and then Certify that they know what they are doing.
Then we take the NEXT person, and make sure that they know what they are doing.
So far, we've properly trained, qualified and certified over 170 individuals to do this industry.
Some have gone on to LEAD our competitors in this industry, and we are VERY proud of them.
Others have taken the lead in their communities as TOP TEIR Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Companies.
That's the kind of people who choose "Hood Cleaning School" as their choice to get into the Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Business industry.
So, if Boston is READING this, and I'm sure that they are, requiring ONE kind of certification is never the best answer.
We on the NFPA 96 Technical Committee, will never recommend a particular "BRAND" of certification, that is it will never say that "a person must be properly trained, qualified and (insert your brand here) certified."
We have our people on the Ground in Boston, and Boston can be the shining example of how to properly do this.
Or they can just another example of a 'Knee-Jerk' reaction to a perceived problem that could have been fixed all along the way by just enforcing the existing codes on the books.
mbryan
New member
I think what they are looking for is a way to certify existing cleaners that are already proficient, without having to put them through some lengthy expensive process. All am saying is it may behoove the CHDCA to jump on this bandwagon and come up with a way to CHDCA certify Boston cleaners without having them go through the school. If there was a way they could prove their proficiency without having to fly to Tennessee, you may get more guys on board.
RustyACE
President CHDCA
The only people that have to fly to Nashville, are the NEW students that are just getting into the business of kitchen grease exhaust cleaing with Hood Cleaning School 5 Day Business Owner's Class.
That's why we have it set up that a professional hood cleaner can get certified via the Post Office.
What it takes:
10 sets of Before/After PICs
Proof of Insurance
Letters of Reference
140 Question NFPA 96 Written exam (proctored...or in person in Nashville)
Torso Pic (Passport Photo)
What you get:
Wallet Size CHDCA Certification Card with Certification #
8 x 11 Wall certificate
FREE Annual Meetings
Updates on Code Changes/ Industry Changes/ New Techniques
24/7 Access to members
Direct Access to NFPA 96 Tech. Committee Member
Know that you know, that they know, that you are Certified.
Or, Fly to Nashville and meet us in person for a 1 Day NFPA 96 Codes/Examination/ Certification Class.
Oh, yeah, $100 discount per year that you have been in business up to $1000 (10 years) towards the purchase of your Lifetime CHDCA Membership.
Ceritification is valid for 12 months, but as a Lifetime Member of the CHDCA your annual recertification fee is waived (currently $250 for annual members).
Or... you can fly me out to your place of business and we'll do the school for you and your employees at your place of business.
That's about as flexible as we can make it.
It's now up to the professional kitchen grease exhaust cleaners to step forward and get certified.
Not wait, until firemen get killed and then rush to get certified.
Rusty
That's why we have it set up that a professional hood cleaner can get certified via the Post Office.
What it takes:
10 sets of Before/After PICs
Proof of Insurance
Letters of Reference
140 Question NFPA 96 Written exam (proctored...or in person in Nashville)
Torso Pic (Passport Photo)
What you get:
Wallet Size CHDCA Certification Card with Certification #
8 x 11 Wall certificate
FREE Annual Meetings
Updates on Code Changes/ Industry Changes/ New Techniques
24/7 Access to members
Direct Access to NFPA 96 Tech. Committee Member
Know that you know, that they know, that you are Certified.
Or, Fly to Nashville and meet us in person for a 1 Day NFPA 96 Codes/Examination/ Certification Class.
Oh, yeah, $100 discount per year that you have been in business up to $1000 (10 years) towards the purchase of your Lifetime CHDCA Membership.
Ceritification is valid for 12 months, but as a Lifetime Member of the CHDCA your annual recertification fee is waived (currently $250 for annual members).
Or... you can fly me out to your place of business and we'll do the school for you and your employees at your place of business.
That's about as flexible as we can make it.
It's now up to the professional kitchen grease exhaust cleaners to step forward and get certified.
Not wait, until firemen get killed and then rush to get certified.
Rusty
Matt, how about local training. how about online test and mentoring onsite. I like some of your ideas.
What do you think Rusty, how about outside master instructors that actually work in the field and train for you.
What do you think Rusty, how about outside master instructors that actually work in the field and train for you.
mbryan
New member
That might work, someone would need to invest the time and money and give it a shot.
Rusty I didn't know you guys offered the distance certification, it looks like a sound way to get proficient cleaners certified.
You could have independant instructors, sactioned by a body. They could work independently with close supervision from the mother ship. of course the governing body would have to test.
JohnB
JohnB
I could make a good NFPA 96 Test.. Matter of fact I have a certification copy test around here somewhere... When I got certified by Pyro-Chem the guys that came down from Marinette, Wisconsin .. Gave us a sheet from some hood cleaning school .. Said we might want to think about it , but that he didn't promote that company.. I think the head of the training class was related to him or something.. I will look for the copy of the Multiple choice test..
Here is a Question for ya... If the Manufacture says clean this hood every 3 months , the fire inspector says clean it every four months, you say clean it every 2 months ....
Rule of thumb the AHJ should be the right answer, however your insurance company follows manufacture label... HMMM... Don't you love trick questions...
Here is a Question for ya... If the Manufacture says clean this hood every 3 months , the fire inspector says clean it every four months, you say clean it every 2 months ....
Rule of thumb the AHJ should be the right answer, however your insurance company follows manufacture label... HMMM... Don't you love trick questions...
a proffesor should have email and pm open matt
David Saulque
Senior Moderator
An insurance company can be a AHJ – I would go with the local feet on the ground and that being the FD inspector.
dodsonish
Grease Police President
Correct answer: Should be cleaned every 2 months, it's your liability on the line. The AHJ's, manufacturers, and insurance companies don't pay your bills. If the customer doesn't follow the recomended cleaning frequency then they are reminded every service of the hazard that exists when they go past recommended frequency.
dodsonish
Grease Police President
I am IKECA Certified, so are many of our employees. Also, I am a member of the IKECA BOD, NFPA 96 Technical Committee and the ANSI accredited standards setting body. I hold IKECA in the highest regard of all certifying bodies because they were the first to offer certification, and more importantly, IKECA is the only certifying body that is;
1) Exclusive to this fire safety discipline.
2) Non-profit
3) Inclined to require contiuing education to stay certified.
4) Recognized by ANSI as a standards setting body.
Those four attributes (as well as many other very robust advantages) distinguish IKECA above all other certiftying bodies to the extent that I don't see why anyone would consider any other certification, by comparison.
This is my first time on this website. Is there anyone who would recognize this shy boy with the favor of a reply?
1) Exclusive to this fire safety discipline.
2) Non-profit
3) Inclined to require contiuing education to stay certified.
4) Recognized by ANSI as a standards setting body.
Those four attributes (as well as many other very robust advantages) distinguish IKECA above all other certiftying bodies to the extent that I don't see why anyone would consider any other certification, by comparison.
This is my first time on this website. Is there anyone who would recognize this shy boy with the favor of a reply?
mbryan
New member
Hi Nelson, welcome to PWI.
My only reply to that statement is: Do IKECA certified cleaners have to prove that they can actually clean kitchen exhaust systems NFPA 96 standards, or is the certification similar to a learners permit for a drivers license where you don't necessarily need to know how to drive, just pass a test on traffic laws?
My only reply to that statement is: Do IKECA certified cleaners have to prove that they can actually clean kitchen exhaust systems NFPA 96 standards, or is the certification similar to a learners permit for a drivers license where you don't necessarily need to know how to drive, just pass a test on traffic laws?
Matt,
As you know, no incompetant wanna be could pass the IKECA certification exam. IKECA certification is a testiment to what the test taker knew at the time of the test and verification of their knowledge base as demonstrated by their intellectual competance. IKECA cannot guarantee that every certified person will perform absolutely properly every time out any more than a driver's permit can guarantee that the permitted driver will never speed or drink and drive.
As you know, no incompetant wanna be could pass the IKECA certification exam. IKECA certification is a testiment to what the test taker knew at the time of the test and verification of their knowledge base as demonstrated by their intellectual competance. IKECA cannot guarantee that every certified person will perform absolutely properly every time out any more than a driver's permit can guarantee that the permitted driver will never speed or drink and drive.
mbryan
New member
I agree that the IKECA exam definitely tests your knowledge in the KEC arena.
I was correlating it with a drivers permit because it seems very similar. The drivers permit and the IKECA certification both test your knowledge, and you must get a significant number of the questions right in order to pass, but you can never have even been in the drivers seat of a car, and still get your drivers permit by passing the test.
Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems the same is true for IKECA certification, one can never have seen a kitchen exhaust system, and still get IKECA certified by passing the test.
In order for someone to actually get a license to drive, they must prove that they not only know the laws of the road, but can practically apply them under scruteny.
I was correlating it with a drivers permit because it seems very similar. The drivers permit and the IKECA certification both test your knowledge, and you must get a significant number of the questions right in order to pass, but you can never have even been in the drivers seat of a car, and still get your drivers permit by passing the test.
Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems the same is true for IKECA certification, one can never have seen a kitchen exhaust system, and still get IKECA certified by passing the test.
In order for someone to actually get a license to drive, they must prove that they not only know the laws of the road, but can practically apply them under scruteny.