Table of Contents:

Introduction 7

Safety Information, Recommendations and Equipment 9

Answering Customers Questions 15

Evaluating the Dryer Exhaust System 19

Cleaning 23

Installing 27

Estimating 31

Troubleshooting 37

Tools and Supplies 39

Stock 45

Advertising Tips 49

Business Tips 55

Appendixes 61

Evaluation Form 62

Safety Information for your customers 63

Sample Post Card 64

Sample Brochure 65

Manufacturers 67

NFPA Code 54 68

NFPA Code 211 70

International Mechanical Code 504 72

International Residential Code M1502 75

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Introduction:

Dryer vent cleaning is a growing field. Increased media coverage of dryer related fires has made people more aware of the dangers related to plugged dryer exhausts.

Based on US Census Bureau reports there are an estimated 93.3 1 million dryers in use in America and an increasing number of home fires as a result of failure to clean the dryer and dryer exhaust.

In 2010, an estimated 16,800 reported U.S non-confined or confined [1] home structure fires involving clothes dryers, or washing machines

(including combination washer/dryers) resulted in 51 civilian deaths, 380 civilian injures, and $236 million in direct property damage. (John R. Hall)

We have designed this program to help you establish your business and make a great income and continued growth.

As your business grows you will notice a great number of calls with existing venting that is against code. It is common to see older homes, condos etc. with plastic venting or flexible aluminum venting. As with new construction walls, ceilings, flooring, insulation and other coverings may cover these hidden dangers.

We have gone on numerous calls in which the customer wanted to have their dryer vent cleaned, but upon inspection we find the venting is plastic and must be replaced. We never clean plastic venting; and neither should you; it is a fire hazard.

Many older homes have the exhaust vent a short distance to the outside and are easy for the home owner to maintain or change. This shorter distance also allows for greater force of air flow and ultimately helps to reduce build up in the venting.

New construction homes often have extended lengths of dryer exhausts by locating the dryer on the second or first floor of the home; instead of in the basement. These new exhaust systems can be hidden in the homes walls, ceilings, floors, attics and even crawl spaces. The homeowners cannot see or easily maintain these exhausts themselves and the exhausts can be a real fire hazard.

Manufacturers’ have also recognized this and have made changes so their dryers can exhaust correctly with longer exhausts systems.

1 United States Census Bureau, 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Summary of Population and Housing Characteristics, CPH-1-1, United States U.S Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 2013“Table 4, p.7” {number of households: 116,716,292 multiplied by 80%}[1] Confined fires are fires reported as confined to fuel burner or boiler, chimney or flue, cooking vessel, trash, incinerator, or commercial compactor. For fires reported as confined fires, most data fields are not required in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).

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We recommend the following basic safety equipment in no particular order.

Safety goggles.

Work Gloves.

A quality dust mask.

Non-marking, knee pads.

Ladder covers.

Hard Hat

Ear Protection or helmet

You will have times when you will need to use an aluminum extension ladder. We use a 24’ ladder and recommend

following the safety information we included provided from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

When positioning the ladder the ladder should always be at arm’s length away when it touches the structure. If you have to climb off the ladder onto the roof for instance, the ladder should extend 3’ or approximately 3 rungs above the touch point. If you have to climb off the ladder onto a roof, be careful it may be slippery, in poor condition or have loose shingles. You may also require additional ladder safety equipment, like roof hook, stabilizer or safety straps.

When you are on any ladder, never lean to either side. The ladder can become unstable and move or kick out from under you. When using any ladder always makes sure the surface it is on is hard and the ladder is stabilized before climbing it. We always check for stability when we are on the first rung; this is done by shifting weight from one foot to the other; if the ladder moves you will have to reposition it.

When you have to bring a ladder into the customers home be very careful of their belongings and the end of the ladder that is behind you especially when going through doorways, around corners and on stairs.

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You may already have most of the following tools. You can purchase most of them at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, local hardware or tool supply stores. Not all of these tools are needed to clean venting. Some you will only

need if you are installing venting.

Razor Knife

Magnetic 25 footTape measure

Putty Knife

Rectangle or round telescoping mirror to see behind venting for taping, inspecting, and removing screws.

A Basic Tool PouchA drill tool pouch can be handy when doing ladder work. Notice this one has room enough for other tools and your anemometer.

25 Foot extension cord, with multiple plugs or single plug.

Stud Finder

Drop Light

Extra Bulbs

3 Prong outlet adapters.

4 ½ hole cutter if you decide to install venting.

A variety of screws 1 inch for straps, and longer 3 inch screws for louvers.

All purpose chaulk for sealing around the back of louvers, against the home.

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Using the internet to generate business. Here are some free things you can do that will greatly improve your business presence.

First, claim your free listings. Yellowbook (Yellowbook and yellowbook.com are currently in a transition process of changing their business name to Hibu and hibu.com), Yellowpages, Google, Bing and many others all allow businesses to make a free listing; claim it, verify and add business details information. Like your business hours, phone number, website, payments accepted and pictures. Social media has become a fore runner in today’s marketplace and big businesses are starting to get on board with using Facebook to connect with customers. Connecting businesses to customers and friends of customers can be a beneficial tool. However, if you don’t monitor your Facebook business listing (keep it business only), or use it to keep in touch with customers; like once a month, you may be better off without it and using that time to optimize what you do have.

We don’t use a Facebook page or any other social media and make great money without it. People find our company and website from our free and paid listings; we have also programmed our website so when people are looking for keyword phrases they can find us. More people go to the internet to search for what they need then people go to the phonebook. If you don’t have a website you are not in business. A basic 5 page website has become an absolute necessity in today’s marketplace. We have included some information on websites.

Why Your Business Needs to be OnlineTechnology has shaped the way we do business today. Basically, everything is and can be done online. But without a website or Web presence, businesses miss huge opportunities: more business, better engagement with customers, that little thing called ROI. (Return on Investment)

Here are five reasons why your business needs to be online:

1. Expanded Audience: How else can you reach your new customers without breaking the bank? You might be a local business, but with the internet you can expand your brand as far as you want.

2. Constant Availability: In a world of technology, people want information fast. With a website, customers can learn about your services, products, and business without waiting to contact you during normal business hours. Talk about instant gratification!

3. Established Credibility: More often than not, customers want to do business with companies that have a website. It reassures them that they are doing business with a credible source. Don’t drive customers away — use a website to strengthen your brand.

4. Gather Information: Online tools make it possible for you to track who and where your customers are. Determine your target audience, find leads and solidify your place in the market, all through the Web.

5. Stay Current: With a website, you can continually update your inventory, maintain accurate business information, share latest news, and answer customer questions. Your business might not be open 24 hours a day, but your website is. What a great benefit to your customers. (H.)

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Tax Information:

Check with your state for licensing requirements and tax registration. Every state is different. Some may require you file an application, or simply register for Sales and Use Tax.

I strongly suggest you consult with an accountant to assist with doing the following tax information, until you are comfortable doing it yourself.

If you have employees, make sure you apply for a Federal Employment Tax Identification Number (FIN), this will be used when filling your quarterly 941 (employee tax: federal, social security, and Medicare). Register with your local Department of Labor. You will be issued a State Employer Identification number and need to file Unemployment Taxes as required by your state. You will also need to notify your insurance company, so they can make adjustments to your policy; like workers compensation. Having employees has not added to the cost of my insurance, but makes sure I have workers compensation coverage; even if I employ a relative.

When you have a business you have certain tax obligations, like filing quarterly forms and year end forms. They may not always come automatically in the mail, as a reminder, you or your accountant will have to keep track of it.

For instance in Connecticut if your Sales and Use tax liability is less than $4,000 annually you can file quarterly, however, if your liability is more than $4,000 you have to file monthly and pay the taxes due. This is an example of my taxes.-Sales and Use filed monthly this pays the State of Connecticut the sales tax I have collected for the month. -CT-941 filed quarterly for employee wages reconciliation this determines the amount I have to pay, or owe the state for taxes collected (withheld) from my employees on the states behalf.-Form 941 filed quarterly for the Internal Revenue Service this is an employee wages reconciliation provided to the federal government. It notifies IRS how much federal tax, Medicare, and social security tax I withheld from employee wages and determines how much I have to send in to IRS. Some employers may be required to make weekly, bi-weekly or monthly deposits; which is all of the taxes withheld, plus the employer’s contribution to Medicare and social security. -CT-UC-2 filed quarterly this tells the State of Connecticut how many employees I employed, who I employed, what their wages were and determines my unemployment tax paid to the state; based on a percentage of the gross wages. -Form 1040ES filed quarterly I also have to send estimated tax payments to the IRS for my own taxes. The amount can be determined with the 1040es worksheet or have your accountant do it for you. -At year end I have to file Form 940 with IRS, this is the annual employee wages reporting form. As well as W2’s, W3’s and provide employees with a W4.

This list of taxes is just to give you information; your situation may be different.

When consulting with an accountant, be sure you have an accountant. Tax preparers like those at H&R Block, and other such places often are not accountants they are trained, “tax preparers”. They may be

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504.1 Installation. Clothes dryers shall be exhausted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Dryer exhaust systems shall be independent of all other systems and shall convey the moisture and any products of combustion to the outside of the building.

Exception: This section shall not apply to listed and labeled condensing (ductless) clothes dryers.

504.2 Exhaust penetrations. Where a clothes dryer exhaust duct penetrates a wall or ceiling membrane, the annular space shall be sealed with noncombustible material, approved fire caulking or a noncombustible dryer exhaust duct wall receptacle. Ducts that exhaust clothes dryers shall not penetrate or be located within any fireblocking, draftstopping or any wall, floor/ceiling or other assembly required by the International Building Code to be fire-resistance rated, unless such duct is constructed of galvanized steel or aluminum of the thickness specified in Section 603.4 and the fire-resistance rating is maintained in accordance with the International Building Code. Fire dampers, combination fire/smoke dampers and any similar devices that will obstruct the exhaust flow shall be prohibited in clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

504.3 Cleanout. Each vertical riser shall be provided with a means for cleanout.

504.4 Exhaust installation. Dryer exhaust ducts for clothes dryers shall terminate on the outside of the building and shall be equipped with a backdraft damper. Screens shall not be installed at the duct termination. Ducts shall not be connected or installed with sheet metal screws or other fasteners that will obstruct the exhaust flow. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not be connected to a vent connector, vent or chimney. Clothes dryer exhaust ducts shall not extend into or through ducts or plenums.

504.5 Makeup air. Installations exhausting more than 200 cfm (0.09m3/s) shall be provided with makeup air. Where a closet is designed for the installation of a clothes dryer, an opening having an area of not less than 100 square inches (0.0645 m2) shall be provided in the closet enclosure or makeup air shall be provided by other approved means.

504.6 Domestic clothes dryer ducts. Exhaust ducts for domestic clothes dryers shall conform to the requirements of Sections 504.6.1 through 504.6.7.

504.6.1 Material and size. Exhaust ducts shall have a smooth interior finish and shall be constructed of metal a minimum 0.016 inch (0.4 mm) thick. The exhaust duct size shall be 4 inches (102 mm) nominal in diameter.

504.6.2 Duct installation. Exhaust ducts shall be supported at 4-foot (1219 mm) intervals and secured in place. The insert end of the duct shall extend into the adjoining duct or fitting in the direction of airflow. Ducts shall not be joined with screws or similar fasteners that protrude into the inside of the du

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Appendix H

2012 International Mechanical Code Section 504

The preceding is a small portion of the information we provide in our package. Please refer to the table of contents on page 2 of this information for a list of the topics we cover in our, “Residential Service and Installation Guide for Dryer Vent Exhaust Technicians.”

Total pages in manual: 76

Note: the relative codes, evaluation form and marketing material are in the appendixes.

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