Chimney Safety
HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY
- Chimney Sweeps help in the prevention of chimney fires and reduce the risk of dangerous fume emissions from blocked heating appliances, flue-ways and chimneys
- Clean chimneys are safer and help your environment by assisting the complete combustion of the fuel, which in turn reduces smoke and emissions.
- All NACS Members are fully insured, trained and qualified
- Members work to a Code of Practice
- A Certificate of Sweeping is issued on completion of work
HOW SAFE IS YOUR CHIMNEY?
Many older designs of chimneys in the UK were originally constructed of masonry – brick built flues using materials such as sand and lime. It is common for the joints between bricks to deteriorate and perish resulting in holes between flue walls. This can cause smoke and dangerous fumes to leak into adjoining flues and dwelling areas. This can result in fatalities caused by carbon monoxide poisonings and chimney fires. Smoke Testing of Chimneys For Solid Fuel, Gas and Oil flues to ensure integrity and safety of your flue, it is recommended a NACS Qualified/Approved Chimney Sweep should carry out a test, in accordance with current Building Regulations and appropriate European & British Standards, upon completion of work they will issue a NACS Smoke Test Certificate. In addition a HETAS Engineer (solid fuel) or Gas Safe Register installer (gas)/OFTEC Technician (oil) can also carry out the smoke testing of flues. Access should be provided to allow the inspection of all chimney walls that are being tested including the roof space and any flues from adjoining properties. Re-Lining of Chimneys There are various types and methods of re-lining flues that have been condemned as dangerous and defective. One method that is fairly easy and quick to install is a stainless steel flexible liner which is inserted down into an existing chimney. Other methods include a cast in-situ system where perlite and concrete is pumped into a chimney.
- Smokeless Fuels: At least once a year
- Bitumous Coal: At least twice a year
- Wood: Quarterly when in use
- A stainless steel flexible flue liner being installed. These types of liner can be suitable for all fuels.
- Oil: At least once a year
- Chimney Cleaned ✓
- Smoke Tested ✓
- Certificates Received ✓
- Access for Cleaning ✓
- Adequate Ventilation ✓
- Suitable Flue Termination ✓
- Chimney Data Plate ✓
- Operating Instructions ✓
Some heating appliances require an air vent or brick to ensure safety and efficiency of operation, and to comply with ADJ and SBR.
- Eliminate the build up of soot from coal, wood, oil and gas fired appliances and maintain your chimney safely.
- Clear obstructions such as birds and animal nests, leaves and building debris, even cobwebs.
- Members provide valuable advice on operating your appliance safely and efficiently and on any remedial work that may be necessary.
- Consult your NACS Sweep for other services:
- Smoke testing, flue surveys, CCTV inspections, chimney pots, cowls, vermin guards and re-lining of chimneys.
- Carbon Monoxide
- Blocked chimneys can cause deadly fumes to enter the dwellings area, i.e. Carbon Monoxide fumes.
- For your own protection, we advise that a carbon monoxide detector should be installed.
WARNING NEVER BLOCK AIR VENTS
Suitable access must be provided for the cleaning & inspection of flues to comply with the current building regulations Approved Document J (ADJ) and Scottish Building (Standards) Regulations (SBR)
i.e. soot doors & cleaning plates on flue pipes either through the appliance or using the following:
- NACS Chimney Sweeps carry a vast assortment of brushes, tools and equipment to maintain your chimney safely.
- METALLIC SOOT DOOR AND FRAME
- FOR FITTING INTO BRICK FLUE WALLS
- TO ENABLE CHIMNEYS TO BE
- CLEANED EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY TO
- NACS CODE OF PRACTICE
- REGISTERED PLATE
- WITH TWO SOOT DOOR
- CLEANING HATCHES
- WITH CENTRE OPENING FOR
- FLUE PIPE
(ideally made of galvanised plate, as detailed in Section 3 BS8303) Some units have a removable Throat Plate which must be cleaned monthly. Always follow the manufacturers guidelines CLEANING ACCESS PLATECHIMNEY POTS/COWLS & TERMINALS Below are examples of Cowls & Terminals for Gas, Oil & Solid Fuel Chimneys For Expert Advice Consult Your Chimney Sweep THE CORRECT FLUE TERMINATION is essential to ensure that your heating appliance (Solid Fuel / Gas or Oil) is able to work properly and safely. All appliances need to be able to ʻbreatheʼ in and out. There are numerous types and designs of chimney pots and cowls that can be fitted. Some are made of terracotta whilst other cowls may be manufactured from stainless steel or galvanised metallic designs.
SAFETY NOTE: the chimney top – pot / cowl or terminal must be compatible with your heating appliance. Always check with your appliance manufacturer (or instructions if available) installer or consult your NACS Chimney Sweep who will assist and may offer a supply and fitting service.
WARNING the chimney termination covers below are only designed for disused flues. They are not approved for gas, oil or solid fuel.
CHIMNEY SWEEPING IS IMPORTANT! Always Remember To Maintain Your Heating Appliance And Chimney – ‘Clean Chimneys Are Safer Chimneys’. If Burning Wood, Logs, Coal or Smokeless Coal Always Keep The Fuel Dry – Prior To Burning.
Fuel Advice:
Use the correct fuel and if using wood then it must be very dry (below 25% moisture). Burning wet wood is the biggest cause of the tar build-up. Coal should be stored in a Coal Bunker. Your Chimney Sweep will advise you on what to burn.