WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Level Inspections
1) The S.I.T.E. Level of the Inspection (as per S.I.T.E.®™ Table), as well as the fee structure,
shall be explained to the client prior to implementation of the inspection or service.
2) A (service report/receipt) shall be presented as disclosed in 1) above upon completion of initial appointment.
3) Instructions (for example: "Do Not Use"), if necessary, shall be noted in body of the initial inspection report.
4) Confirmation of documentation to follow (if required), shall be noted in initial report;
such documentation shall be processed within 10 days of initial service appointment.
5) Tentative date for follow-up appointment, disclosing any additional fees or service required,
shall be included with documentation from 4) above.
6) Client data and documentation shall be filed for future reference.
Explanation of WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Inspections Level Type
S.I.T.E.®™ is a set of standardized guidelines and procedures
recommended by WETT for the inspection of wood burning systems.
WETT has adopted a process to help identify the level of inspection required.
This table is intended to assist and provide the parameters for which the inspection level is selected and shall be done.
By filling out the “Request a WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Estimate / Inspection Form”
with as much information as you can accurately provide, you will:
a) allow for the review of component installation requirements and
b) allow us to prefill inspection forms ahead of time with component specific specifications.
Tips for preparing for the WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection with a positive outcome:
a) Ensure the appliance is not in operation and cool for the inspection.
b) Have the ashes removed from and the appliance clean.
c) If door or ash pan gaskets are falling off – install new ones.
d) If there are any damaged fire bricks – install new ones.
e) If you have the installation manual that came with the appliance have it available.
f) If you have the installation manuals that came with the chimney, vent or stove pipe have them available.
g) Should you have the purchase receipts for the appliance, chimney, stove pipe, hearth pad, etc., it will help in determining the manufacturer and brand of the components if the labels have fallen off and no manuals are available.
On any of the three Levels of S.I.T.E.®™ Inspections, areas of non-compliance may be found.
If appliance is found to be in non-compliance and does not pass inspection,
the client / owner will be instructed not to use the appliance until it has passed re-inspection.
A list detailing the compliance deficiencies that are required to be addressed
in order to bring the system into full compliance will be provided.
Some of the system failures may be minor, requiring miscellaneous installation issues to be addressed before
the system will pass inspection, while other system failures are major, requiring major installation issues to
be addressed or even complete appliance replacement before the system will pass inspection.
The client / owner must chose if they want a non-compliance failed inspection report be prepared or
if the goal is to eliminate these identified non-compliance issues before a final inspection report is issued?
The client / owner must then address:
a) Who will perform the repairs?
b) If the required repairs are extensive, what will happen if other concealed areas of non-compliance are discovered?
c) When the repairs will be completed and ready for re-inspection?
A follow-up inspection and site visit to re-inspect major issues may be required or
for minor issues, compliance may be able to be verified with digital documentation
(pictures, repair invoices, etc.) of the repairs performed without another site visit.
Request a WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Estimate / Inspection
Click to Expand or Close - What are the Standards of Practice for the S.I.T.E.®™ Certified Technician?
1) The S.I.T.E. Level of the Inspection (as per S.I.T.E.®™ Table), as well as the fee structure,
shall be explained to the client prior to implementation of the inspection or service.
2) A (service report/receipt) shall be presented as disclosed in 1) above upon completion of initial appointment.
3) Instructions (for example: "Do Not Use"), if necessary, shall be noted in body of the initial inspection report.
4) Confirmation of documentation to follow (if required), shall be noted in initial report;
such documentation shall be processed within 10 days of initial service appointment.
5) Tentative date for follow-up appointment, disclosing any additional fees or service required,
shall be included with documentation from 4) above.
6) Client data and documentation shall be filed for future reference.
Explanation of WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Inspections Level Type
Click to Expand or Close - S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection Level 1 - Readily Accessible
"Readily Accessible" can be described as quickly or easily reached for inspection.
A Level 1 Inspection would not require the use of special tools for opening or removal of any panel,
door or other covering; nor would it require the use of ladders.
A tape measure, light, mirror, camera, magnifying glass and binoculars
shall comprise the minimum tools required to perform this type of inspection.
Typically, when people are looking for an insurance inspection, a S.I.T.E. Level 1 Inspection
is conducted to determine if there is evidence of any problems with the installation.
A Level 1 Inspection would not require the use of special tools for opening or removal of any panel,
door or other covering; nor would it require the use of ladders.
A tape measure, light, mirror, camera, magnifying glass and binoculars
shall comprise the minimum tools required to perform this type of inspection.
Typically, when people are looking for an insurance inspection, a S.I.T.E. Level 1 Inspection
is conducted to determine if there is evidence of any problems with the installation.
Click to Expand or Close - S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection Level 2 - Accessible
"Accessible" can be described as able to be reached for the purpose of inspection, service, maintenance or repair.
Access could first require the moving or removal of a panel, door or other covering;
and could require the use of ladders and common tools such as a screwdriver,
wrench, hammer or related service tools/equipment.
Access does not require any invasive action to the building or property.
Access could first require the moving or removal of a panel, door or other covering;
and could require the use of ladders and common tools such as a screwdriver,
wrench, hammer or related service tools/equipment.
Access does not require any invasive action to the building or property.
Click to Expand or Close - S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection Level 3 - Concealed Accessibility
"Concealed Accessibility" can be described as "not" accessible except by invasive means.
This may require the removal of constructed (but not structural) areas of the system or building,
to gain access for the purpose of implementing a Level 3 inspection.
It may also require the use of specialty tools and equipment,
such as a video scanning device or flue tile removal system.
The client / owner also needs to understand that he or she is responsible for any repairs
and the associated costs of repairs resulting from the Level 3 Inspection process.
This may require the removal of constructed (but not structural) areas of the system or building,
to gain access for the purpose of implementing a Level 3 inspection.
It may also require the use of specialty tools and equipment,
such as a video scanning device or flue tile removal system.
The client / owner also needs to understand that he or she is responsible for any repairs
and the associated costs of repairs resulting from the Level 3 Inspection process.
S.I.T.E.®™ is a set of standardized guidelines and procedures
recommended by WETT for the inspection of wood burning systems.
Click to Expand or Close - What
determines the Level of the S.T.T.E.®™ Inspection?
WETT has adopted a process to help identify the level of inspection required.
This table is intended to assist and provide the parameters for which the inspection level is selected and shall be done.
Inspection Type  |
Level 1 "Readily Accessible" | Level 2 "Accessible" | Level 3 "Concealed Accessibility" |
| Scope Includes |
the inspection of (1) solid fuel burning appliances, (2) built-on-site fireplaces, (3) factory-built fireplace systems, and (3) venting system components for (a) clearance to combustibles, and (b) obstructions or deposits visible through "Readily Accessible" cleanout doors or inspection ports. |
(1) a Level 1 Inspection,
and (2) suitable construction, sizing and condition of "Accessible" components of the system (including enclosures, ductwork and makeup or combustion air), and (3) an inspection of all "Accessible" components of the system for clearance to combustibles. |
(1) a Level 1 Inspection,
plus a Level 2 inspection,
and (2) an inspection of construction, sizing, condition and suitability of components of the system in areas of "Concealed Accessibility", and (3) an inspection of all components of the system in areas of "Concealed Accessibility" for clearance to combustibles. |
| Indications |
A "Level 1" inspection is indicated when verification is required to confirm the suitability of system components for continued use under the same conditions and with the same system components. | A "Level 2" inspection is indicated when a Level 1 inspection is not sufficient to determine the suitability of system components for continued use. | A "Level 3" inspection is indicated when a Level 1 inspection or a Level 2 inspection is deemed not sufficient to inspect concealed or enclosed areas to verify the suitability of system components for continued use. |
| Circumstances
Refer to the
requirement for an
inspection
|
(1) when an appliance is replaced with a similar appliance (input rating, efficiency, ducting and the same or lesser clearance requirements). (2) when a venting system component is replaced with an equivalent component (mechanical attachments, function and clearance requirements). (3) when a system, or system components are serviced or cleaned. | (1) when any appliance is added to the system, or (2) when an existing appliance is replaced with a dissimilar one, or (3) when any venting system component is replaced with one or more of dissimilar type, or (4) before the repair of system components, or (5) after an operating malfunction or external event, likely to have caused damage to the system. | (1) after an incident that may have caused damage to any concealed parts of the system or building construction, or (2) following a Level 1 inspection or a Level 2 inspection if a detected or suspected hazard cannot be fully verified without access to areas of "Concealed Accessibility". |
Click to Expand or Close - What you should do to prepare for the WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection.
By filling out the “Request a WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Estimate / Inspection Form”
with as much information as you can accurately provide, you will:
a) allow for the review of component installation requirements and
b) allow us to prefill inspection forms ahead of time with component specific specifications.
Tips for preparing for the WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Inspection with a positive outcome:
a) Ensure the appliance is not in operation and cool for the inspection.
b) Have the ashes removed from and the appliance clean.
c) If door or ash pan gaskets are falling off – install new ones.
d) If there are any damaged fire bricks – install new ones.
e) If you have the installation manual that came with the appliance have it available.
f) If you have the installation manuals that came with the chimney, vent or stove pipe have them available.
g) Should you have the purchase receipts for the appliance, chimney, stove pipe, hearth pad, etc., it will help in determining the manufacturer and brand of the components if the labels have fallen off and no manuals are available.
Click to Expand or Close - What happens if the installation fails to meet compliance?
On any of the three Levels of S.I.T.E.®™ Inspections, areas of non-compliance may be found.
If appliance is found to be in non-compliance and does not pass inspection,
the client / owner will be instructed not to use the appliance until it has passed re-inspection.
A list detailing the compliance deficiencies that are required to be addressed
in order to bring the system into full compliance will be provided.
Some of the system failures may be minor, requiring miscellaneous installation issues to be addressed before
the system will pass inspection, while other system failures are major, requiring major installation issues to
be addressed or even complete appliance replacement before the system will pass inspection.
The client / owner must chose if they want a non-compliance failed inspection report be prepared or
if the goal is to eliminate these identified non-compliance issues before a final inspection report is issued?
The client / owner must then address:
a) Who will perform the repairs?
b) If the required repairs are extensive, what will happen if other concealed areas of non-compliance are discovered?
c) When the repairs will be completed and ready for re-inspection?
A follow-up inspection and site visit to re-inspect major issues may be required or
for minor issues, compliance may be able to be verified with digital documentation
(pictures, repair invoices, etc.) of the repairs performed without another site visit.
Request a WETT S.I.T.E.®™ Estimate / Inspection