The Complete Guide to a Level 1 Inspection [2020]

Introduction

There are three levels of chimney inspections. Simply put, a level 1 inspection is the most basic inspection and is required with each chimney swept. Level 2 and level 3 are progressively more detailed and comprehensive.

Chimney techs can perform portions of a higher level of inspection without doing a total inspection. For example, at Patriot Chimney, we always run a camera, which is usually part of a level 2 and 3 inspections, even with Level 1 Inspections.

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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — whose sole mission is to limit death, injury, and property damage from fire hazards — set the standard for chimney inspections in 2000 by providing the guidelines, procedures, and the three “levels” for chimney inspections in their Code 211.

NFPA 211 suggests you get an annual inspection if you continually used your chimney and you didn’t change anything with it.

It also requires that you have your chimney inspected by companies that are responsible for venting, installing, inspecting, repairing, and/or servicing heat-producing appliances. Not a roofer, or a home inspector, or HVAC technician, or your friend that’s not a chimney technician. The person should also meet the requirements set by the fire marshal, with regards to licenses, insurance, and certifications.

Important Definitions

To help you understand the inspection requirements, I thought it’d be helpful to share the terms: readily accessible, accessible, and non-accessible (concealed). These are a pretty big part in defining which type of inspection you need to have.

Readily Accessible

These are areas that can be reached for inspection or maintenance without the use of tools or ladders.

Accessible Areas

These are parts of your chimney that can be reached without destructive action to the building or building finish. Though, access may require the removal or opening of doors. Panels and the use of common hand tools, such as screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrenches, or ladders may be required.

Non-Accessible (Concealed)

These are areas that cannot be reached without damage or destruction to the chimney building or building finish. It also includes areas requires special tools to reach.

When To Get Your Chimney Inspected

The most current edition of the NFPA 211 recommends annual inspections for all chimneys, fireplaces. But there are other times that would require an inspection to ensure your chimney can safely be used.

Malfunction

If your chimney faced some sort of operating malfunction, any unusual or sudden event, like a chimney fire, lightning strike, or earthquake, you should call a technician to check it out.

House Purchase

You should have a level 2 inspection of a chimney before purchasing a home with an existing chimney or vent.

Things Change

Whenever you make changes to your chimney or vent system you need to have a technician come inspect. This includes the replacement of connected appliances or installations of other appliances. This should also include if you relined or replaced your system.

What is a Level 1 Inspection?

As I mentioned before, a Level 1 inspection is the most basic inspection and is required with each chimney swept. You should have your chimney inspected once a year to ensure all the elements of your chimney are running safely and efficiently.

A Level 1 inspection is typically limited to readily accessible areas of the chimney, structure, and flue. Interestingly enough, ladders are not required, unless the inspection is in conjunction with a sweep or repair that requires your technician to go up on your roof.

NFPA 211 requires that we inspect all flues within the chimney and the appliances connected to them. This is a big reason we always inspect flues with a camera so that we can get a full top-to-bottom inspection, including everything in between.

Why Do You Need a Level 1 Inspection?

There are many reasons to get a Level 1 inspection, such as the reasons mentioned above: a malfunction or things changed with your chimney.

But you should at least get a Level 1 Inspection each year if your appliance or venting system has not changed and you plan to keep using it this year.

In other words, if your chimney is under continued service, under the same conditions, and used with the same appliance, you’ll be fine sticking with a Level 1 Inspection. Otherwise, you should consider a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection.

What to Expect During a Level 1 Inspection

It’s pretty hard to speak for all chimney companies. But I can tell you what you can expect with a Patriot Chimney inspection, though I do think that we do things a bit differently.

It all starts with seamless scheduling, then moves to the actual inspection, and a review of it all with your technician.

<<download our full inspection condition report>>

Scheduling

The first thing you’ll do is schedule your appointment. We use an online booking system, so you can schedule online. Once you do that, someone in our office will give you a call to coordinate some time on the calendar.

Or if you’d prefer you can call our office at 540-225-2626 to book your appointment.

Once you’re on the schedule, you’ll get periodic emails and texts reminding you that your appointment is coming up. Of course, if anything changes, just let us know!

50 Point Inspection

On inspection day, we’ll arrive at your home and introduce ourselves. Then we’ll get to work!

We go through a proprietary 50-point inspection to check everything that we can. Your safety is our priority and we sure don’t want to miss anything.

Here is our list of everything we check (Buckle up. It’s a lot):

Level of the cleanliness of the venting system
Verification that the flue is not blocked
Verification that the flue is not significantly restricted
Verification that the flue is not obstructed in any way
Appliance Clearance
The general condition of the appliance
Chimney or vent and its connector for general suitability for appliance
Chimney or vent and its connector type
Chimney or vent and its material
Chimney or vent and its condition
Chimney or vent and its connector clearance
Chimney or vent and its connector joint security
Chimney or vent and its connector for support and stability
Chimney or vent and its connector for offset
Chimney or vent and its connector for rise
Chimney or vent and its connector for slope
Chimney or vent barometric damper
Chimney or vent damper
Chimney or vent draft hood
Chimney or vent heat reclaimer
Chimney liner for proper support
Appropriateness of the chimney liner type for appliance
That the chimney liner is present
That the chimney liner is free of readily visible defects, distortion, and spalling
That flue cleanouts are present

That flue cleanouts are properly installed
Condition of wash when readily accessible
That the chimney cap exists
That the chimney cap does not contribute to flue blockage/restriction
That the spark arrester is present
That the spark arrester is not obstructed
That the top installed damper is present
That the top installed damper does not obstruct the flue
Wall pass-through general condition
That the connector is secure where it meets the wall pass-through, chimney, or vent
The general condition of the hearth
The general condition of the hearth extension
Hearth extension sizing
The general condition of the fireplace facing
The general condition of the fire chamber
The general condition of the smoke chamber
Type of fire chamber lining
Condition of the fire chamber lining
Clearance to combustible trim and mantels around the fireplace opening
Operation and closure of damper assembly
Smoke chamber accessibility
Smoke chamber transition to the flue
That the air circulation grilles (openings) around the factory-built fireplace are not blocked or restricted
Freedom from rust or corrosion of readily accessible metal parts in factory-built fireplaces and chimneys
That mechanical draft systems are operable and free from rust and corrosion.

Camera Inspection

As I mentioned before, a Level 1 Inspection is pretty limited to what is “readily accessible.”

I don’t like this because it’s not possible to get a full grasp of the safety and efficiency of your chimney without looking in the flue. I don’t know how many times you’ve looked in a flue, but it’s pretty dark and hard to see even with a flashlight.

That’s why we always try to run a camera to get a better view and understanding of inside your chimney with a camera.

Review

Once we have pictures, video, and filled out the condition report, we meet with you. This is to go over everything with you so that you can understand the full condition of your chimney.

If there is anything that you should be concerned about, your technician will discuss his or her recommendation to fix it. After the recommendation, we will send a proposal for the work via email within the next 24 hours.