How to Not DIY
Public Service Announcement
The following letter was written to Scripps Networks Interactive Inc immediately after viewing back to back shows that were broadcasted on the DIY Network that involved the show host conducting the installation and modification of solid fuel appliances that created hazardous conditions to the home and health and safety risk to future occupants and the public viewers. Viewing these episodes "struck a cord", as I have observed the most extreme consequences that have been attributed to poor installation practices and workmanship such as the ones displayed during these DIY episodes. If one house fire, chimney fire, injury or loss of live is saved or at least one person learns something, my efforts will be rewarded.
Attention: Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.
9721 Sherrill Blvd
Knoxville, TN, 37932 United States
(865) 694-2700
http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com
February 04, 2018
Public Service Announcement
Regarding: Backyard Goldmine - Episodes;
Season 1 Episode 4 - "A Mountainside Shed Makeover" , and
Season 1 Episode 5 - "A Century-old Caboose Rehab"
I watched two episodes of Backyard Goldmine on your companies DIY Network, and I have a public; consumer safety concern I would like to bring to your attention. The installation of the wood burning stoves and their venting systems appear to have created fire and safety hazards. This letter is intended to help mitigate any potential damages, house fires, injuries or loss of life to any persons inhabiting the dwellings in these episodes, or viewers that may adopt the practices depicted.
I am a solid fuel technician \ chimney professional, with technical training, certifications and extensive field experience related to the topics addressed in this letter.
In both shows the wood stove and flue pipe installations appear to have not been installed in NFPA 211 - Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances and the IRC - International Residential Code International Residential Code . Do you know if in either of these cases a permit was obtained \ required, or if the local Authority Having Jurisdiction was consulted? It’s always best practice to contact your local AHJ to determine their mandate and seek the assistance of a Professional when lacking the skills or knowledge to do a job. This is especially important when dealing with components or system of combustion, energy, hazardous materials etc. Due diligence is a legal requirement that is especially significant when conducting work on dwellings that are not your own.
The wood burning stove and venting system appear to not comply with the required clearance to combustible materials, as well as other installation, and equipment requirements outlined in the NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, and the International Residential Code (IRC) documents. If you would like to discuss the specific details, could you provide me with the measurements to the surrounding materials (walls, floor, ceiling, furniture) as well as a description of the surface material (wood, tile etc)?
I think it's great the DIY Network is educating your audience on many things, and I encourage your company, management, and the hosts that appear on your shows continue to improve and educate yourselves as well. Burning a fire in a dwelling comes with inherent risk, so it's important to mitigate these fire safety risks as much as possible. There are liabilities involved when working on a solid fuel appliance, so it’s best to ensure good practice.
While preserving the history and restoring most things is great, this is not applicable to most solid fuel appliances and their equipment. The engineering, fabrication, installation and maintenance requirements for solid fuel appliances have evolved over time mainly due to occurrences that have caused injury or the loss of life. I am writing you to inform you of these potential hazards and the associated safety concerns I have for the people staying in the dwellings illustrated in the two episodes, and the countless other viewers that may mimic these poor installation practices.
I strongly encourage you to educate yourself and the contractors that appear on your show with respect to fire safety, the installation, and maintenance of solid fuel appliances and equipment, applicable codes, and standards etc. The NCSG, CSIA, F.I.R.E, and NFI are all great organizations that offer education and training on this subject. Hiring a qualified CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep for consultation will help eliminate installation errors and hazards they may create.
I would like to offer you my professional opinions by the methods of this letter, and as a technical advisor in the future. My hopes in offering you my time; an effort to educate you, your hosts, and indirectly the general public to potentially save homes, injuries or lives in the process.
Concerned,
Ryan Verbruggen
Canadian Chimney
9721 Sherrill Blvd
Knoxville, TN, 37932 United States
(865) 694-2700
http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com
February 04, 2018
Public Service Announcement
Regarding: Backyard Goldmine - Episodes;
Season 1 Episode 4 - "A Mountainside Shed Makeover" , and
Season 1 Episode 5 - "A Century-old Caboose Rehab"
I watched two episodes of Backyard Goldmine on your companies DIY Network, and I have a public; consumer safety concern I would like to bring to your attention. The installation of the wood burning stoves and their venting systems appear to have created fire and safety hazards. This letter is intended to help mitigate any potential damages, house fires, injuries or loss of life to any persons inhabiting the dwellings in these episodes, or viewers that may adopt the practices depicted.
I am a solid fuel technician \ chimney professional, with technical training, certifications and extensive field experience related to the topics addressed in this letter.
In both shows the wood stove and flue pipe installations appear to have not been installed in NFPA 211 - Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances and the IRC - International Residential Code International Residential Code . Do you know if in either of these cases a permit was obtained \ required, or if the local Authority Having Jurisdiction was consulted? It’s always best practice to contact your local AHJ to determine their mandate and seek the assistance of a Professional when lacking the skills or knowledge to do a job. This is especially important when dealing with components or system of combustion, energy, hazardous materials etc. Due diligence is a legal requirement that is especially significant when conducting work on dwellings that are not your own.
The wood burning stove and venting system appear to not comply with the required clearance to combustible materials, as well as other installation, and equipment requirements outlined in the NFPA 211 Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, and the International Residential Code (IRC) documents. If you would like to discuss the specific details, could you provide me with the measurements to the surrounding materials (walls, floor, ceiling, furniture) as well as a description of the surface material (wood, tile etc)?
I think it's great the DIY Network is educating your audience on many things, and I encourage your company, management, and the hosts that appear on your shows continue to improve and educate yourselves as well. Burning a fire in a dwelling comes with inherent risk, so it's important to mitigate these fire safety risks as much as possible. There are liabilities involved when working on a solid fuel appliance, so it’s best to ensure good practice.
While preserving the history and restoring most things is great, this is not applicable to most solid fuel appliances and their equipment. The engineering, fabrication, installation and maintenance requirements for solid fuel appliances have evolved over time mainly due to occurrences that have caused injury or the loss of life. I am writing you to inform you of these potential hazards and the associated safety concerns I have for the people staying in the dwellings illustrated in the two episodes, and the countless other viewers that may mimic these poor installation practices.
I strongly encourage you to educate yourself and the contractors that appear on your show with respect to fire safety, the installation, and maintenance of solid fuel appliances and equipment, applicable codes, and standards etc. The NCSG, CSIA, F.I.R.E, and NFI are all great organizations that offer education and training on this subject. Hiring a qualified CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep for consultation will help eliminate installation errors and hazards they may create.
I would like to offer you my professional opinions by the methods of this letter, and as a technical advisor in the future. My hopes in offering you my time; an effort to educate you, your hosts, and indirectly the general public to potentially save homes, injuries or lives in the process.
Concerned,
Ryan Verbruggen
Canadian Chimney
