Fireplace & Chimney
Inspections
We are proud to be Kern County's ONLY chimney sweep with F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector Credentials.
For more information on why you should insist on a F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace & Chimney Inspector, CLICK HERE.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends your fireplace and chimney be inspected and swept annually.
An NFPA Level II Inspection is always recommended, but we are able to provide your desired level of inspection upon request.
NFPA-211 LEVEL I, II, & III INSPECTIONS
Unsure of what type of fireplace or hearth appliance you have?
Level I Inspection
What is a LEVEL I Inspection?
A Level I inspection is required to ensure the minimum acceptable levels of safety for a chimney.
Unless otherwise stated, a Level I inspection is limited to readily accessible areas.
Readily accessible areas of your chimney structure and flue are visually inspected to determine the lack of obstruction (leaves or twigs from overhanging trees, animals, building materials, trash) and/or combustible deposits (creosote/soot) in the flue. If you have a hearth appliance, it shall be visually inspected to determine basic appliance installation and connection.
Readily accessible portions of your chimney exterior and interior shall be visually inspected, or if you have a hearth appliance, accessible portions of that appliance and its chimney connection shall be visually inspected.
Annual inspection is required in NFPA-211 Section 14.2 during routine sweeping of the chimney flue, and any time you are performing a direct replacement of an existing connected hearth appliance with one of similar type, input rating, and efficiency.
A Level I Inspection is intended to verify the suitability of the chimney for continued service under the same conditions, and with the same appliance or appliances.
Depending on issues discovered during your Level I inspection, your inspector may recommend you do not use your existing fireplace or hearth appliance until those deficiencies are address and remedied properly.
Readily Accessible: Exposed, or capable of being exposed, for operation, inspection, maintenance, or repair without the use of tools to open or remove doors, panels, or coverings.
Level II Inspection
What is a LEVEL II Inspection?
A Level II inspection includes all subjects of a Level I inspection and is limited to accessible exterior and interior parts of the chimney.
The inspection shall include examination by video scanning equipment or technological viewing systems used as necessary to observe all accessible areas.
The proper construction and condition of accessible portions of the chimney structure and all enclosed flues are inspected, as well as determining proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations. For connected appliances, the size and suitability of your flue is assessed.
All accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior shall be inspected, including areas within accessible portions of the chimney exterior and interior, including areas within accessible attics, basements, crawl spaces, and accessible portions of the appliance and chimney connection. This includes using inspection by video scanning or other means.
A Level II inspection shall be conducted:
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When installing or removing a fireplace insert or installing gas logs inside of an existing fireplace
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Prior to relining of a flue or replacement of flue lining
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Upon sale or transfer of the property
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After a building or chimney fire, weather, or seismic event, or other incident likely to have caused damage to the chimney
A Level II inspection is intended to verify the suitability of the chimney for new or changed conditions of service, and is necessary when a Level I inspection cannot determine the serviceability of the chimney.
Accessible: Capable of being exposed for inspection, maintenance, or repair without damage to the chimney or building structure or finish, but which might require the removal of doors, panels, or coverings using commonly available tools.
Level III Inspection
What is a LEVEL III Inspection?
A Level III inspection includes all the areas and items inspected in a Level I and Level II inspection, as well as the removal of certain components of the building or chimney where necessary.
A Level III inspection is required only for areas suspected of malfunction or damage that cannot be properly evaluated by a Level I or Level II inspection.
Level III inspections shall be conducted under the following circumstances:
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Where necessary for the investigation of a building or chimney fire, weather, or seismic event, or other incident known to have caused damage to the chimney or building
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Where a hazard detected or suspected as the result of a Level I or Level II inspection cannot be fully evaluated without access to concealed areas.
Removal of components (chimney crown, interior chimney wall, etc.) shall be required only when necessary to gain access to areas that are the subject of the inspection.
A Level III inspection is intended to verify the suitability of the chimney for renewed or continued use when construction or all or part of the chimney is deemed critical.
