Valley Chimney Sweep

Valley Chimney Sweep & Restoration, Inc.

NFPA Level I Venting Inspection

If your appliance or your venting system has not changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level I inspection is in order. A Level I inspection is recommended for a chimney under continued services, under the same conditions with the same appliance.

In a Level I inspection, your chimney service technician should examine the readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior, and accessible portions of the appliance and chimney connection. Your technician will be looking for the basic soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections. The technician will verify the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

NFPA Level II Venting Inspections

A Level II inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes include: a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of or material of the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Additionally, a Level II inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operating malfunction or external event is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. A Level II inspection is a little more in depth than a Level I.

The scope of a Level II inspection includes that of a Level I inspection plus the accessible portions of the attics, crawl spaces and basements. Level II will include non destructive performance testing such as a smoke test or a pressure test. Commonly available tools may be used to open doors, panels or covering to perform this inspection. An interior chimney video inspection may be recommended by your chimney service technician.