Chimney Inspections

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The National Fire Protection Association is the nation’s governing body when it comes to standards set for chimney inspections. NFPA 211 Standards contains valuable guidelines for the safe installation, use and maintenance of chimneys in homes. If your home has any type of chimney, these standards apply to you. 

Frequency of Inspection

The NFPA recommends that all chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected annually.  In addition to this requirement, there are other times when chimney and venting systems should be inspected, such as:

• After any unusual or sudden occurrence event, such as a chimney fire, lightning strike or damaging storm
• Prior to the sale or transfer of a home
• Whenever changes are made to a chimney or vent system, including replacement of connected appliances
• Prior to major system repairs

Level I Inspection

Level I chimney inspection is the most basic level of inspection that is completed during each chimney cleaning or sweeping.

A level I inspection is limited to readily accessible portions of the venting system, and accessible portions of the connected appliance(s) and the chimney connection. The inspector will check the readily accessible portions of the chimney, its enclosed structure and the flue.  A level I inspection includes verification that the flue is not blocked or significantly restricted.

Level II Inspection

Level II inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency.

• A Level II inspection is recommended upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operation malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, and damaging weather events are all indicators that this level of inspection is warranted.

A Level II chimney inspection includes all of the requirements of a Level I inspection, as well as the following:

• Video scanning or other thorough inspection of the flue interior
• Inspection of accessible areas of attics, basements and crawlspaces
• Accessible areas of the chimney exterior and interior
• Accessible portions of the appliances and chimney connection
• Evaluation of the flue lining to determine that its material and sizing is appropriate for the appliances being served
• Proper clearance to combustible in the accessible areas listed above
• Proper construction and condition of the chimney system in the accessible areas listed above

While the Level II inspection is a rather thorough inspection and requires access to many areas of the building, it does not require removal of permanent parts of the building, such as siding, chase covers or wall coverings.

Level III Inspection

A Level III chimney inspection is the most detailed of all of the inspection types and includes inspection of concealed areas of the building. However, examination of concealed areas will be limited to areas reasonably suspected of containing hazards that cannot be evaluated otherwise.

• A Level III inspection includes all areas covered in a Level I / II inspections and inspection of concealed areas to investigate known or suspected problems. In as much as certain portions of a Level III inspection require destructive action to the building, the inspector will discuss these areas with the building owner prior to the inspection.