Thursday, April 11, 2024 (1:00pm - 4:00pm) (Celebrity 6-8)

Have you ever investigated a fire surrounding a solid-fuel insert in a masonry or factory built fireplace? Did you wish you knew more about how solid-fuel inserts and the fireplaces into which they are installed are listed and tested, or more importantly how they weren’t? Why do the codes and standards surrounding masonry fireplaces matter when it comes to solid-fuel inserts? Come explore the evolution and history of the listings, codes, and standards surrounding solid-fuel inserts. Understand what is tested and what is not. Look at the dozens of discrepancies and potential failure points between solid-fuel inserts and the fireplaces into which they are installed. Solid-fuel inserts are historically not tested or listed for the application where they are actually used. Get a glimpse of the new UL1390 standard (solid-fuel inserts in masonry fireplaces) and the proposed UL1391 standard (solid-fuel inserts in factory built fireplace). We will summarize and list some studies in past decades related to solid-fuel inserts and then consider the impact on future installations. Daniel Freeman has worked in the chimney and hearth industry since 2013 and holds all major certifications in his industry as well as several from the ICC. He serves at his own expense on two Standards Technical Panels with Underwriters Laboratory regarding all heating appliances and chimneys and vents. Some of these standards are specifically for solid-fuel heating appliances, factory built fireplaces, and factory built chimneys. \He has been heavily involved in writing the new UL1390 standard and debating the UL1391 standard and now offers his years of study and experience surrounding solid-fuel inserts and their improper installation for your benefit.

Daniel Freeman

Currently Daniel teaches as an instructor for one of the largest education providers in the chimney and venting industry teaching technical and business classes related to heating appliances, chimneys and vents. He also volunteers and serves on two standards technical committees or panels (STC0103 and STC0127) for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and helps with the development, evolution, discussion, and maintenance surrounding many UL standards and tests.

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Daniel founded The Chimney Doctor, a premier chimney inspection, repair, and installation company serving the Western Slope of Colorado (including areas like Vail, Aspen, Snowmass, Telluride, etc...) and the areas surrounding Moab, Utah. He also started InspectionFire, launching an app to aid the chimney and hearth industry in documenting their inspections and adapting 360 cameras for use inside of chimneys and vents.

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Certifications currently held are outlined below and an updated CV can be provided upon request.

IAAI-FIT Fire Investigation Technician
F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector FCI-338
NFI Certified Instructor / Master Hearth Professional #176537
NCSG Certified Master Chimney Professional #225
ICC Certified Residential Mechanical Inspector #9688396, Class B & Master Mechanical Contractor
CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist #41, Sweep #9430
C-DET Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #1137
HeatShield Factory Trained Installer

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He believes that problem-solving and continuing education are at the core of building a successful customer-oriented service business and always wants to put customer safety first in everything he does. He still strives daily to educate himself and his clients, and help people keep their homes, businesses and families safer.

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Daniel has a Bachelors of Science in Marketing Management and a Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in Strategy & Leadership from Western Governors University. He’s also been a part of various executive coaching seminars in both the US and Europe. Before founding The Chimney Doctor, Daniel had the opportunity to work as a Survival Instructor and In-Field Supervisor at the Anasazi Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to healing the parent-child relationship, and as a volunteer missionary in Quebec, Canada.

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His education continues through many industry suppliers and organizations to make sure that he and his staff are up to date on the most current inspection and cleaning techniques, as well as any new chimney, appliance, venting, and fire loss information available. He is happily married and the father of five children and in his spare time enjoys volunteering in various capacities in his church, serving others, completing projects around the house, gardening, camping and traveling with his family.