Do you keep up with mandatory chimney inspections and checks? An overview of statutory deadlines
With the heating season approaching, it is a good idea to remind yourself about cleaning, checks and inspections of chimneys. Chimney maintenance is regulated by legislation, so the prescribed intervals for the individual tasks must be observed. In this article you will find an overview of how often you must clean and check flue paths and in which specific situations to choose an inspection.
What is the difference between an inspection and a check? And when is a chimney inspection necessary?
Not sure whether you have to arrange a check or go straight for an inspection? In various sources you may come across confusing information that muddles inspections and checks together. In the legislation, however, these are different tasks.
You will need a chimney inspection in the following situations:
- When putting a new flue path into operation or after structural modification of the chimney,
- when changing the type of fuel of the connected fuel-burning appliance,
- before connecting a fuel-burning appliance to an unused flue path,
- before replacing a fuel-burning appliance,
- after a chimney fire or when cracks arise or there is suspicion of cracks in the flue path.
As is clear from the list of situations when an inspection is needed, it is more or less a one-off matter. Once you have, for example, had an inspection carried out on a new chimney, it is enough to monitor and observe the prescribed deadlines for cleaning and checks.
In other situations not listed above, it is enough to carry out a check. During it, the aim is to monitor whether the technical condition of the flue path meets safety requirements. It is verified whether all combustion gases are being properly discharged from the chimney. Part of the check also includes verifying that there are no flammable materials in the immediate vicinity of the flue path. Compared with the previous check or inspection carried out, there should be no significant changes evident.
How often should a chimney be cleaned and checked?
The deadlines for cleaning and checking chimneys depend on the fuel used, the output of the connected fuel-burning appliance and on whether heating takes place only during the season or year-round. As a minimum, a check and cleaning must be carried out once a year. In the clear table below, find which interval applies to your heating appliance.
| Output of the connected fuel-burning appliance | Activity | Type of fuel of the connected fuel-burning appliance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid (year-round operation) | Solid (seasonal operation) | Liquid (year-round operation) | Liquid (seasonal operation) | Gaseous | ||
| up to and including 50 kW | Cleaning of the flue path | 3 × a year | 2 × a year | 2 × a year | 1 × a year | 1 × a year |
| up to and including 50 kW | Check of the flue path | 1 × a year | 1 × a year | 1 × a year | ||
| over 50 kW | Cleaning and check of the flue path | 2 × a year | 1 × a year | 1 × a year | ||
Source: The new implementing regulation – Decree No. 34/2016 Coll. is in force, www.skcr.cz
How much does it cost?
A chimney inspection may only be carried out by a specialist, usually a chimney sweep. The price for an inspection ranges from CZK 1,000 to 2,500 depending on the flue path and the location.
Checks must be carried out at the prescribed intervals. Prices vary by location and usually range from CZK 300 to 1,000. Before a check, it is advisable to have the chimney cleaned, which costs roughly CZK 100 to 300.
A chimney sweep must carry out a chimney check at least once a year, but you can do the chimney cleaning yourself too. However, you will need basic chimney-sweeping equipment, the price of which can climb to around CZK 1,000. If you don't have safe access to the roof for cleaning the chimney from above, you can also clean it from below, but only if the chimney height does not exceed six metres. In such a case, chimney access panels are used for cleaning the chimney.
The risks of neglecting checks and inspections
If you don't observe the prescribed deadlines for cleaning and checks, you're setting yourself up for trouble. If it is discovered that your chimney has not been checked or has not even had an inspection carried out, you risk a fine.
In the event of a fire and a finding that the chimney did not have a valid inspection or check within the prescribed deadline, the insurance company will also not cover the damage. An attempt to save a thousand crowns can thus suddenly turn into damage of several million crowns that you will have to pay for yourself.
The last and most important reason not to neglect cleaning and checking chimneys is health and safety. Clogged and poorly passable flue paths can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can end fatally.
Carry out the check before the start of the heating season, because you never know what may happen. The end of summer and the early start of autumn is therefore an ideal time. Also reckon with the fact that chimney sweeps will have a lot of work in this period, so it's best to book them in good time.