The chimney Sweep Guild, brainchild of Kristia Associates’ Eva Horton, forms in Portland, ME, with 22 members. Guild operations are handled by Kristia Associates, a wood stove import company.
Serves 1977-1979
First Board of Directors meets on July 7 in Washington, DC. Membership expands to 400 individual members.
Through the efforts of Guild member Larry Hempsall, the first National Chimney Sweep Week was held October 2-8 and recorded in the Congressional Record.
The National Fire Protection Association invites the Guild to appoint a representative to the NFPA 211 technical committee.
Serves as President 1979-1980
"We want chimney sweeps to be as accepted and respected in America as they are in Europe. They goal's a possible one. But only together will we ever achieve it." - Harry Richart, NCSG President
Serves as president 1980-1981 Board member Robert deMontigny takes over day-to-day operations of Guild from Kristia associates. Guild relocates to New Hampshire, with communications office in Maryland.
The quarterly Chimney Sweep Guild News becomes monthly Sweeping.
Guild meets with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to explore ways to improve wood-heat safety. USFA invites Guild to attend a major industry conference.
Members vote to change name to National Chimney Sweep Guild at fourth annual convention in Minneapolis, MN.
Originally valid for five years from test date, the open-book, 50 question exam was available by mail.
Serves as President 1981-1983
Guild turns down a merger offer with the Wood Heating Alliance, now Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association, deciding to go it alone for sweeps’ sake.
More than 300 sweeps attended NCSG’s fifth birthday party, celebrated in Springfield, MA, with a 60-pound birthday cake.
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) asks Guild members for help in a public education campaign designed to reduce deaths and injuries from solid-fuel appliances.
CPSC asks Guild members to participate in an investigation of prefabricated, metal chimneys. Guild asks CPSC to require labels on wood stoves that explain the need for yearly maintenance.
The newly formed Chimney Safety Institute of America holds its first meeting. Original directors include: Harry Richart, president; Hugh Maine, vice president; John Jamnick, secretary; and Lesley Van Dusen, treasurer. Mary Ann Beaufait was appointed to one of the open seats on the new board, and U.S. Congressman Robert Toricelli agrees to serve on advisory board.
Serves as President 1983-1986
NFPA adopts recommendation that every chimney must be inspected annually and cleaned when necessary.
Don Leavitt of Don Leavitt Enterprises in California is awarded the first Presidents Award.
Guild meets with FTC officials to discuss problems with untrained or fraudulent chimney sweeps. Although the FTC decides against regulations, they offer to help educate consumers through their media contacts.
Harry Richart established the first Technical Advisory Committee and selected its members.
NCSG asks CPSC to ban homeowner do-it-yourself cleaning kits because of incomplete or inaccurate instructions, and the importance of inspection by a professional. Guild president Harry Richart presents evidence of oil and gas flue deterioration to CPSC, including flue tiles eaten through by condensation.
Serves as President 1986-1988
NCSG publishes the first edition of Successful Chimney Sweeping. Two years in the making, the manual represents the first time standard chimney service practices were written down anywhere.
Guild offices consolidate in Olney, MD. In an effort to reach insurance companies with chimney safety information, NCSG exhibits at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies convention in St. Louis.
Serves as President 1988-1989
National Chimney Safety Team made up of certified Guild members cleans and inspects the 12 chimneys, 19 flues and 35 fireplaces and 35 fireplaces at the nation’s best known address. The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Phase I of EPA emissions standards for wood stoves go into effect, covering particulate emissions from catalytic and non-catalytic wood-stoves and fireplace inserts.
27 Swedish Master Sweeps, industry reps and spouses visited several US cities ahead of the annual NCSG convention in San Diego.
Serves as President 1989-1991
New bylaws ensure regional representation by requiring a director from each of the geographic regions in the country. Membership changes from individual to company under the new rules.
Swedish delegation attends NCSG convention in San Diego and invites an official U.S. delegation to the next meeting of the European Federation of Chimney Sweeps.
Guild members help achieve changes to UL 1777 the limit sweep liability. Manufacturers have the option to test their products in a zero-clearance situation.
Along with the representatives of the U.S. Fire Administration and the Wood Heat Research Foundation, NCSG’s Pete Luter appears in a satellite video conference aimed at education fire department education offices about the safe use of wood stoves, fireplaces and space heaters.
NCSG introduces regional seminars to help sweeps prepare for the certification exam.
Board authorizes development of a sweep training facility. Hy-C Company donates $5000 to get the school up and running. Volunteers Ashley Eldridge, Pete Luter and Jim Brewer create curriculum.
Serves as President 1991-1992
The once dormant Chimney Safety Institute of America takes over the Guild’s certification program. A grant from the Wood Heating Alliance helps fund work on a research paper documenting chimney fires.
Serves as President 1992-1994
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