Chimney Sweeping

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protected species; species-specific nesting seasons (swift May–Aug Schedule 1, jackdaw Apr–Jun, starling Apr–Jul); bat roost protection under Habitats Regulations 2017 (year-round); Animal Welfare Act 2006 squirrel duties; nest prevention cowls and mesh guards

Smoke and CO Alarm (Amendment) Regs 2022; Part J CO alarm requirements; Scottish Building Standards s.3.17; electrochemical vs biomimetic sensors; 7-year alarm lifespan; placement rules (1–3 m horizontal, 150 mm from ceiling); sweep on-site CO alarm procedure; spillage test methodology

Chimney breast removal: structural engineer requirements, RSJ sizing, Building Regulations Part A notification, and sequencing (sweep and cap before demolition)

904 grade for solid fuel, 316 for gas; diameter sized from appliance flue outlet not hearth; flexible vs rigid vs poured liner systems; Superwool insulation; top and bottom sealing; notifiable under Part J; 25–30 year lifespan for 904; warranty invalidation conditions

Anti-downdraught cowl types (H-cowl, lobster-back, louvred, rotating); bird guard mesh types; Part J:2022 terminal height requirements (1 m above ridge / 2.3 m above penetration); solid fuel free area = 4× flue cross-section; balanced flue cowl warning; planning permission for listed buildings

Chimney repointing and rendering: scaffold requirements, NHL lime mortar mix (1:1:6), lead flashing Code 4/5, two-coat render application, and seasonal restrictions

Required certificate fields; frequency by fuel (wet wood 2×/year, smokeless/gas/oil 1×/year); when to refuse issue; home insurance policy conditions; back-dating prohibition; digital vs paper records; 6-year record retention standard

Three-stage creosote grading (flaky → tar-like → glaze); creosote ignition at 260°C; causes (wet wood, smouldering, oversized flue); chemical removers (Cre-Away, ACS Spray, SweepEze); rotary mechanical cleaning; conditions requiring reline recommendation; Ready to Burn woodfuel scheme

Mirror and torch visual check; smoke test for open fires and stoves; CCTV survey indications and camera types; defect grading (advisory vs immediate action); condemned appliance procedure; when to recommend structural engineer; sweep liability and documentation

Associate/Full/Fellow membership grades; practical assessment requirement; Guild certificate required fields; £2m PLI and £10m EL insurance thresholds; sweep frequency table by appliance type; Guild vs NACS comparison; insurer recognition

HETAS sweep (not installer) registration; BPEC/NVQ qualification routes; £2m PLI minimum; certificate issuance rights; Part J notification boundary; comparison with NACS and Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps

Open fire 20–30% efficiency vs stove 75–85%; HETAS sweep frequencies by fuel/appliance; brush sizing by flue diameter; stove inspection sequence (baffle, firebox, rope seal, door glass, ash pan); sooting rates by fuel and moisture content

Solid fuel appliance servicing: rope seal paper test, fire brick inspection, baffle plate replacement, riddling grate checks, and CO alarm requirements

Twin-wall flue installation: internal vs external routes, CE marking under BS EN 1856-1, 50mm clearances to combustibles, and HETAS notification requirements

Wood fuel moisture content: sub-20% legal requirement under Clean Air Act, Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme, kiln-dried vs seasoned comparison, and pin meter technique