Mick Waumsley's book ' Fireplaces, Chimneys and Stoves' is available to purchase direct from Sure Fire for £16.99 plus £2.50 postage & packing. All books purchased direct from Sure Fire will be signed by Mick Waumsley.
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The Guild of Master Sweeps have decided to issue copies to all its members as a standard reference for them when providing information to the public and their customers. Mick says: “ It is very gratifying to have a well respected body such as the Guild of Master Sweeps pay my book such a compliment as to issue a copy to all its members. It is that type of response that makes the effort of writing it well worth while.”

Sligo County Council choose SURE FIRE - Sure Fire Technical Services Ltd have been expanding their operations and are now used by Sligo County Council in the Republic of Ireland to inspect and certify the chimneys on all their new build and modernisation projects.

Sure Fire have been across to the Republic five times this year so far and have certified over 50 chimneys, as well as suggesting changes to the methods and updating the installation processes to meet the new Irish Building Regulations. As a result of his work, Mick Waumsley is going across again in November to provide a full three day training course for Sligo County Council staff.

SURE FIRE helps to protects Britain's heritage - During the last year Sure Fire Technical Services Ltd have carried out surveys on a number of listed and historic buildings to check the suitability and safety of the chimneys when using solid fuel open fires. On two occasions we have done work in National Trust property, including the main castle on St Michaels Mount in Cornwall. This type of work is really interesting and requires all the experience gained by Sure Fire over the years to ensure these specialist challenges are met.

New SURE FIRE Courses - At the request of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of CHIMNEY SWEEPS and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIMNEY ENGINEERS Mick Waumsley has developed a number of new courses to include Chimney Surveying & Reporting, and Prefabricated Chimney System courses, details of these can be seen in the training section of this site or are available by contacting Sure Fire Technical Services Ltd.

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£100s of pounds saved
Problem - A Nottinghamshire homeowner had experienced problems for over two years with an open fired back boiler. These problems got worse until fumes entered the room every time the fire was lit making the occupants feel ill. The homeowner sought advice from various contractors who recommended lining the chimney at a cost of around £1,000.
Solution - SURE FIRE investigated the problem and found that using the wrong size brush to sweep the chimney was leaving an ever increasing amount of tar deposits around the chimney pot, building up to form a restriction. Simply replacing the pot that was already cracked, and using the correct brush, has solved the problem at a fraction of the cost.

Investigation ends 4 years of misery
Problem - On an estate in North Wales a tenant had been experiencing weather related fume problems from a solid fuel appliance for 4 years. Despite numerous attempts by the landlord and a chimney lining company to solve this the tenant still was still suffering.
Solution - A CCTV inspection of the flue and a full set of tests revealed the flue leaked into the cavity walls of the bungalow and spread fumes throughout the property. The problem was related to the weather and affected by wind blowing on the cavity air vents. Two other properties on the estate were tested, at the landlords request, and were all found to have the same problems. It is also possible that the same problem occurs in the twelve other properties on the estate!

Assistance with legal proceedings
Problem - In the Retford area a home owner had a chimney relined in late 1999 by a local builder to prevent fumes and smells entering the bedroom of the next door neighbour. Despite this the fumes were still being reported, the builder returned and attempted remedial action that was at best 'first aid' and at worst 'a bodge job'.
Solution - SURE FIRE were asked to inspect & test the chimney and use the results along with existing documentation to produce a report for the Small Claims Court. A legal action was brought by the client in March 2001 when the builder disputed the findings and our client was awarded the cost of all investigations and legal representation as well as the full cost of the removal & replacement of the substandard lining.

Danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
Problem - A client in the Ashfield district council area had suffered from Carbon Monoxide (CO) exposure from the solid fuel open fire of a next door neighbour. The complaint reached the point where the client contacted the Environmental Health Office of the local council and an officer was sent to investigate. Two months later no action to test the chimney or prevent the use of the fire had been taken.
Solution - On the advice of the Solid Fuel Association the client contacted SURE FIRE who installed CO monitoring equipment which showed a rise in the levels of CO in the clients bedroom when the solid fuel appliance was in use. A report was produced and passed to the Environmental Health Department and within days tests for the chimney were organised. top of page