Chimney Inspections

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has established inspections standards in the publication NFPA 211 which is adopted by most city’s and towns in America. One objective of the NFPA 211 was to standardize work that was otherwise left up to the service technician’s discretion.

We perform three levels of inspection following the guidelines set forth in NFPA 211.

Chimney Inspections - Level 1
The technician will inspect all readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior, and accessible portions of the appliance and the chimney connector. The Technician will verify the chimney is free of obstructions. We will inspect all accessible flues while onsite. A Level 1 inspection is required annually, and when you replace your appliance with a similar appliance for example replacing a wood stove with another wood stove.

Chimney Inspections - Level 2
Everything covered in the Level 1 inspection plus chimney portions located in the attic and basement. The inspection will address proper construction and clearances from combustibles. The Level 2 inspection will also include a video scan of the interior of the flue checking joints and the interior surface of the liner. In some cases, the chimney may have to be swept before a Level 2 Inspection to remove deposits that may hinder the video inspection. A Level 2 inspection is required upon sale or transfer of property, when a malfunction that is likely to have caused damage, and when replacing with a different type of appliance, for example replacing a wood stove with a gas appliance.

Chimney Inspections - Level 3
Level 3 inspection address proper construction of concealed portions of the chimney structure. Removal or destruction of portions of the chimney may be required to complete the inspection. A Level 3 inspection required where a hazard detected or suspected as a result of a Level 1 or 2 inspection and the suspected hazard cannot be fully evaluated without access to concealed areas.