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2001 SESSION

008172724
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 258
Offered January 24, 2000
Requesting the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to study the need for and, if required, issue regulations establishing a certification program for chimney safety professionals as part of the DPOR contractor licensure program.
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Patrons-- Williams, Almand, Diamonstein, Scott and Stump; Senator: Mims
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, carbon monoxide poisoning related to heating appliances recently has resulted in the tragic and unnecessary deaths of individuals in several Virginia localities; and

WHEREAS, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas and the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache or dizziness, may be overlooked or attributed to other minor causes; and

WHEREAS, poisoning from this "silent killer" may rapidly result in disorientation, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death; and

WHEREAS, carbon monoxide poisoning may result from inadequately vented or inadequately installed wood stoves or gas appliances, such as furnaces, clothes dryers, ranges, and refrigerators; improperly or inadequately vented wood or gas fireplaces; leaking or blocked chimney pipes or flues; and blocked chimneys; and,

WHEREAS, the Virginia Housing Study Commission and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development were requested by the 1999 Virginia General Assembly to study whether changes relating to protection from carbon monoxide poisoning and life safety matters relating to chimneys, fireplaces, vents, and solid-fuel-burning appliances should be made to the Uniform Statewide Building Code to reflect more closely current provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Code relating to the same, and further requested to study the need for certification of those who inspect and repair chimneys, fireplaces, and vents for the same; and

WHEREAS, a thorough review of the need for certification of chimney safety professionals has been completed; and

WHEREAS, the review has reported that, although the Commonwealth of Virginia requires licensure for many trades professionals, chimney safety professionals dealing daily in life safety matters are largely unregulated by the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Commission has unanimously recommended that a study by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation of state requirements relating to the qualifications of chimney safety professionals is warranted; and

WHEREAS, those who own, manage, and reside in residential structures rely on chimney safety professionals whose services they have engaged to assist in protecting their lives, health, and property from death, injury, or loss by fire or carbon monoxide poisoning relating to their chimneys, fireplaces, and vents for the same that may be inadequately sized, inadequately installed, leaking, or blocked; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation be requested to study the need for, and if required, issue regulations establishing, a certification program for chimney safety professionals as part of the DPOR contractor licensure program.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Department shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.