How Safe Is Your
Chimney?
The National Fire Protection Association states "Chimneys,
fireplaces and vents shall be inspected at least
once a year".
Who should I hire
to inspect my chimney?
Chimney inspections are
best performed by individuals who carry the CSIA
Certified Chimney Sweep credential. The inspection and
evaluation of chimneys is an important service offered
by Home Care Chimney. Certified Chimney inspections come in many
forms and you should be aware that not all inspections
are alike. At Home Care Chimney, we follow the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
recommended inspection procedures.
NFPA divides the inspection
procedure into three categories, or levels. The
circumstances which give rise to the inspection
determine what level of inspection is to be conducted.
A Level I inspection is the most basic level of
inspection while Level II and Level III inspections
are progressively more detailed and
comprehensive. A
Level I inspection is completed during each chimney
cleaning, or sweeping.
Level I Inspection
A Level I inspection is the
recommended level when an evaluation of the chimney
system for continued service is needed and the
conditions of use are not changing. This could
include:
-
Routine or annual evaluations of the venting
system
-
An appliance connected to the system is being
replaced with a similar appliance
-
During chimney cleaning or sweeping
A Level I inspection is
limited to readily accessible portions of the venting
system, and accessible portions of the connected
appliance(s) and the chimney connection. The inspector
will check the readily accessible portions of the
chimney, its enclosing structure, and the flue. A
Level I inspection includes verification that the flue
is not blocked or significantly restricted.
Level II Inspection
A Level II inspection is
more detailed and thorough than a Level I inspection
and is the recommended inspection when conditions of
use for the appliance or venting system are changing,
or when a Level I inspection reveals the need for a
more detailed inspection. Several instances where a
Level II inspection is specifically recommended
include:
-
Replacement of an appliance with one of
dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency
-
Prior to a flue relining
-
Upon sale or transfer of the property
-
After an event likely to have caused damage to
the chimney, such as a chimney fire or other
sudden occurrence event
A Level II inspection
includes all of the requirements of a Level I
inspection as well as th
e
following:
-
Inspection of accessible areas of attics,
basements, and crawlspaces
-
Accessible areas of the chimney exterior and
interior
-
Accessible portions of the appliance and
chimney connection
-
Video scanning, or other thorough inspection,
of the flue interior
-
Evaluation of the flue lining to determine
that its material and sizing is appropriate for
the appliances being served
-
Proper clearance to combustibles in the
accessible areas listed above
-
Proper construction and condition of the
chimney system in the accessible areas listed
above
While the Level II
inspection is a rather thorough inspection and
requires access to many areas of the building, it does
not require removal of permanent parts of the
building, such as siding, chase covers or wall
coverings.
Level III Inspection
A Level III inspection is
the most detailed of all of the inspection types and
includes inspection of concealed areas of the
building. However, examination of concealed areas will
be limited to areas reasonably suspected of containing
hazards that cannot be evaluated otherwise.
A Level III inspection
includes all areas covered in a Level I and Level II
inspection, and inspection of concealed areas to
investigate known or suspected problems. In as much as
certain portions of a Level III inspection require
destructive action to the building, the inspector will
discuss these areas with the building owner prior to
the inspection.
Frequency of Inspection
NFPA recommends that all
chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected annually.
In addition to this requirement, there are other times
when chimney and venting systems should be inspected,
such as:
-
After any unusual, or sudden occurrence event,
such as a chimney fire, lightning strike, or
earthquake
-
Prior to purchasing a home with an existing
chimney
-
Whenever changes are made to a chimney or vent
system, including replacement of connected
appliances
-
Prior to major system repairs
Video Scanning
A video scan is where we
use a camera system which is lowered into the chimney
(or pushed up from the bottom). The camera allows us
to inspect the chimney from a range of just a few
inches instead of just looking from the top or bottom.
The camera image is viewed on a TV monitor by the
inspector. Video inspections may be recommended if the
customer or sweep suspect certain problems. Video
inspections are often recommended after a chimney fire
or some other form of damage to a chimney, and are a
routine part of a Level II or Level III inspection.
Summary
You should be aware that even the most thorough
inspection will not reveal all problems. Some areas of
a chimney simply are not assessable due to
construction of the house. Be sure to discuss any
specific concerns with your service technician. The
recommended inspection technique will often be based
on your comments and concerns. Our technicians are
trained to perform the appropriate level of inspection
based upon the use of the chimney and any performance
problems or safety concerns using the NFPA 211 as our
standard.Our technicians will also examine the fireplace
(or appliance) and chimney and provide you with
information regarding any problems or concerns
discovered during the cleaning process. See
Chimney Sweeping.
