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An accurate and valuable service for homeowners, Insurance Adjustors, Realtors and Fire Inspectors explained by

Custom Chimney Heating and Air

The Sweep that does it ALL!

     The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has addressed the minimum chimney evaluation standards in its latest publication (NFPA) concerning home heating appliances. 

     Inspections are now classifier as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.  Each level ofevaluation covers specific items depending on the individual appliance and venting system.

     Below is an explanation of the three levels of evaluations and what services your chimney service technician should provide for each level.

Level 1 Evaluations 

     Evaluations – If your appliance on your venting system has not changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level 1 evaluation is a minimum requirement.

     *Level 1 evaluation is recommended for a chimney under continued service under the same conditions and with the continued use of the same appliance.

     In a Level 1 evaluation, Custom Chimney Heating and Air  should examine the readily accessible** portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible* portions of the appliance and the chimney connections.  Custom Chimney Heating and Air will be looking for the basic soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections.  Custom Chimney Heating and Air will also verify the chimney is free of obstruction and substantially free of combustible deposits.

     *Accessible: May require the use of commonly available tools to remove doors, panels or coverings, but will not damage the chimney or building structure or finish

     **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 2 Evaluations

A Level 2 Evaluation 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.  Additional, a Level 2 evaluation is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operating malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney.  Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events are all indicators that this level of evaluation is warranted.  A Level 2 evaluation is a more in-depth evaluation than aLevel 1 evaluation.

      A Level 2 evaluation includes everything in a Level 1 evaluation, plus the accessible* portions of the chimney exterior and interior including attics, crawl spaces and basements.  It will address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible* locations.  There is no specialty tools (i.e. demolition equipment) required to open doors, panels or coverings in performing a Level 2 evaluation.  A Level 2 evaluation shall also include a visual evaluation by video scanning or other means in order to examine the internal surfaces and joints of all flue liners incorporated within the chimney.  No removal or destruction of permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure or finish shall be required by a Level 2 evaluation.

Level 3 Evaluations

     When a Level 1 or Level 2 evaluations suggests a hidden hazard and the evaluation cannot be performed without special tools to access concealed areas of the chimney or flue, a Level 3 evaluation is recommended.  A Level 3 evaluation addresses the proper construction and condition of concealed portions of the chimney structure and the flue.  Removal or destruction, as necessary, of permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure will be required for the completion of a Level 3 evaluation.

     Level 3 evaluation – A Level 3 evaluation includes all the areas and items checked in a Level 1 and a Level 2 evaluation, as well as the removal of certain components of the building or chimney where necessary.  Removal of components (i.e. chimney crown, interior chimney wall) shall be required only when necessary to gain access to areas that are the subject of the evaluation.  When serious hazards are suspected, a Level 3 evaluation may well be required to determine the condition of the chimney system.

The Importance of Annual Evaluations

     Your chimney systems are an important part of your home heating system.  The NFPA recommends an annual evaluation of all chimneys, fireplaces and vents.  In accordance with this recommendation, your chimneys should be checked annually by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and swept as required.  Each year unsafe chimneys cause significant numbers of injuries and deaths, and account for more than 200 million in property losses.  Make chimney examinations a regular part of your home maintenance schedule.  Don’t become a statistic!

Homeowners rely on Video Evaluations of their chimneys with Chim-Scan for assurance and efficiency. 

     No homeowner should assume his chimney can be used without a thorough examination, both exterior and interior.  Rain, flue gases, and freezing moisture cause erosion and deterioration in chimneys.  Breaks in the chimney liner-even small ones can be a risky condition by allowing combustion gases and condensation into the home.

     While viewing the monitor screen from the hearth, homeowners see the condition of their fireplace and chimney.  The Scan operator can point out vital information about the chimney interior condition.  In gas appliance chimneys, early detection of condensation can help prevent additional costly home repairs.

     Every homeowner needs accurate information about his or her chimneys condition.

     Now with the Chim-Scan video evaluation service, it is easy to obtain an accurate evaluation of your chimney’s interior in a non-destructive way.

     Custom Chimney Heating and Air will be able to show you these precarious conditions, if they exist:

  • Improper new construction
  • Chimney fire damage
  • Improper prefab chimney connections
  • Deterioration from gas appliance connections
  • Cracks, even hairline cracks, in flue liners
  • Broken or missing tile liners and mortar joints
  • Deterioration of the smoke shelf or damper
  • Quick-fixed thimble holes
  • Hidden breechings
  • Nests, limbs and other blockages

Insurance Adjusters, Home/Fire Inspectors and Realtors depend on Video Evaluations for accurate documented information

     The increased use of fireplaces and wood heat has resulted in an increase in chimney fires.  When conducting a sudden occurrence investigation, a Chim-Scanvideo evaluation service can give you the reliable information you need.  An examination soon after the mishap, can determine the cause of damage: whitened mortar joints, blaze marks, missing mortar, cracks and discoloration in liners and buckling of steel liners and indications of sudden occurrence chimney damage.

Your evaluation may provide a couple of report formats: a written report on a chimney evaluation form and/or a VCR tape recording of the evaluation.

A video evaluation of a chimney interior offers both the Fire Investigator and the Insurance Adjuster these important benefits:

  • Detailed information, obtained only inches away from the chimney walls.
  • Complete documentation in a couple of formats
  • Saves time on claim processing by getting reliable information easily. requested, an estimate for repair may be obtained through Custom Chimney Sweeping.

A Chimney interior video evaluation with Chim-Scan offers homeowners and fire inspector’s accurate and documented information

     Accurate information is important for making decisions about a chimney.  National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 211 codes 2000 edition requires companies to do a Level II evaluation upon the sale or transfer of property or new heating appliances are being installed.  Chim-Scan equipment allows the operator to do Level II evaluations and document the findings.

     If you are a homeowner or thinking about buying a home, ask for a video evaluation. Protect yourself from potential added expense after the closing; know the condition of the chimney. Seeing the interior of the chimney will give you added peace of mind, and a general knowledge of the chimney system

     A Chimney fire burns HOT 2,000 degrees or more.  This extreme heat can crack your chimney and endanger your home.  But be aware that even small chimney fires can cause unseen damage to the chimney interior.  If not properly maintained this can become a serious problem and may result in loosing your home due to fire.  So ask for it by name “I want a Chim-Scan evaluation done on my chimney.”

     If you are a fire inspector or insurance adjustor, your evaluations should be based on accurate and documented information.  Take the guesswork out of a chimney evaluation by hiring a Certified Chimney Professional who has the Chim-Scan video evaluation system.

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