Fireplace chimney plays huge role in keeping you safe. It is a passage for all the harmful byproducts coming from your fireplace to the outside. It is very important to keep it in excellent condition.
Proper inspections will keep you informed about the condition of your fireplace and chimney. It will let you know what maintenance or repairs will need to be done to keep your chimney in operating conditions.
The National Fireplace Association (NFPA) recommends annual inspection of all chimneys, fireplaces and vents. The inspection is done to check and make sure that the chimneys, fireplaces and vents are sound, free of blockade and deposits, and that all clearances are met.
When you have Atlanta Fireplace Tech, Inc perform your chimney inspection it will be done by qualified and certified chimney sweep professional. Everything will be written on the inspection report and Atlanta Fireplace Tech, Inc technician will go over the inspection with the customer to make sure that the customer understands current conditions of the chimney. If any repair are needed an estimate will be given for those repairs along with the report.
The scope of work performed in the inspection or evaluation of a fireplace, stove or other venting system had previously been left to the discretion of the chimney service technician. On January 13, 2000, the National Fire Protection Association adopted these levels of inspection into code NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances) that remove much of that “discretion”. Inspections are now clearly defined as Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.
NFPA 211 is the standard upon which certified chimney sweeps base their services and CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are tested to these three levels of inspection. Always ask for the level of inspection that you believe will be most appropriate for your chimney and venting system. Each level of inspection covers specific items depending on the individual appliance and venting system.
Below is an explanation of the three levels of inspections and what services your chimney service technician should provide for each level as defined by the NFPA 211:
When verification of serviceability for continued use under present conditions is needed.
A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 inspection, plus the accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior including attics, crawl spaces and basements. It will address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations.
A Level I inspection and:
Verification of chimney serviceability for continued service under changing conditions, or a Level I inspection is adequate.
As a part of Level 2 inspection Atlanta Fireplace Tech , Inc offers Video camera inspections – Video Scans of your chimney. Atlanta Fireplace Tech , Inc uses high quality, cutting edge video scan cameras designed especially for the hearth industry. This gives us the possibility to go to the places of the chimney system that are not visible to the human eye. Atlanta Fireplace Inc technicians may detect missing joints, cracked flue pipe, creosote accumulation, gaps and holes in the flue or in the smoke chamber, bad installation, defects in construction of the fireplace and chimney.
Atlanta Fireplace Tech will provide customers with a level 2 inspection report. By special request Atlanta Fireplace Tech, Inc can provide a video recording of the inspection so you can see first-hand the condition of the chimney.
When knowledge of the condition of the chimney is critical to the renewed or continued use of the chimney.
To help you understand the inspection requirements, I thought it’d be helpful to share the terms: readily accessible, accessible, and non-accessible (concealed). These are a pretty big part in defining which type of inspection you need to have.
These are areas that can be reached for inspection or maintenance without the use of tools or ladders.
These are parts of your chimney that can be reached without destructive action to the building or building finish. Though, access may require the removal or opening of doors. Panels and the use of common hand tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrenches, or ladders may be required.
These are areas that cannot be reached without damage or destruction to the chimney building or building finish. It also includes areas requires special tools to reach.