NFI ADVOCATES

The NFI Advocacy Program represents the industry’s shared commitment in promoting excellence in the performance and safety of hearth products and systems.  In 2003, NFI created this program to encourage hearth appliance and venting system manufacturers to embrace NFI’s certification program to its dealers and distributors.

To become an NFI Advocate, the company must:

1.  Suggest or recommend in all relevant installation manuals that installation of their company’s hearth appliances be performed by an NFI Certified Specialist, using the following language, as appropriate:

* For GAS products:  “We [suggest or recommend] that our gas hearth products be installed and serviced by professionals who are certified in the United States by NFI (National Fireplace Institute®).”

* For WOOD products:  “We [suggest or recommend] that our woodburning hearth products be installed and serviced by professionals who are certified in the United States by NFI (National Fireplace Institute®) or in Canada by WETT (Wood Energy Technical Training).”;

* For PELLET products:  “We [suggest or recommend] that our pellet hearth products be installed and serviced by professionals who are certified in the United States by NFI (National Fireplace Institute®) or in Canada by WETT (Wood Energy Technical Training).”

2.  Continually offer and/or promote NFI training and certification exams to their dealers.

3.  Apply for NFI Continuing Education Units (hereinafter “CEUs”) towards NFI certification renewal for all of their training sessions. Once they have received approval to offer CEUs, follow all appropriate attendance rules to facilitate the distribution of certificates to their attendees and record keeping for NFI Certified Specialists renewal.

By becoming an NFI Advocate Company, the manufacturer demonstrates its commitment to professionalism and the NFI Certification Program. Do-it-yourself installers, retailers, building and code officials, legislators and regulators will see in the instruction manuals the manufacturer’s support for NFI and commitment to public safety.