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If you plan to use your appliance and venting system as before, and no changes have occurred, a Level 1 inspection is the minimum requirement. This inspection is advisable for chimneys in ongoing use, under the same conditions, and with the same appliance.

During a Level 1 inspection, your chimney service technician will thoroughly assess accessible portions of the chimney’s interior, exterior, the appliance, and their connection points. This examination ensures the chimney’s structural integrity, flue functionality, and proper appliance installation. Additionally, the technician will confirm the absence of obstructions and combustible deposits within the chimney.

A Level 2 inspection becomes necessary when alterations are made to the system, such as a change in fuel type, adjustments to the flue’s shape or material (like relining), or the introduction of a different type of appliance with varying input rating or efficiency. Moreover, a Level 2 inspection is mandatory when a property changes ownership, following operational malfunctions, or after external events like building fires, chimney fires, seismic activity, or severe weather conditions that might have caused chimney damage.

No specialized tools, like demolition equipment, are required to access doors, panels, or coverings for a Level 2 inspection. It encompasses a visual inspection via video scanning or similar methods to assess the internal surfaces and joints of all flue liners within the chimney. There’s no need for removing or destroying permanently attached parts of the chimney or building structure during a Level 2 inspection.

In situations where a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection suggests a concealed hazard and evaluating it requires special tools to access hidden areas within the chimney or flue, it is advisable to conduct a Level 3 inspection. A Level 3 inspection involves a thorough examination of the concealed sections of the chimney structure and flue, potentially necessitating the removal or destruction of permanently attached components of the chimney or building structure. A Level 2 inspection includes all aspects of a Level 1 inspection and additionally covers the accessible parts of the chimney’s exterior and interior, including spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and basements, while ensuring proper clearances from combustibles in accessible areas.

A Level 3 inspection encompasses all the assessments conducted in Level 1 and Level 2 inspections, along with the potential removal of specific building or chimney components when deemed necessary. Component removal, such as the chimney crown or sections of the interior chimney wall, is only undertaken when it’s essential to access areas under scrutiny. In situations where substantial hazards are suspected, a Level 3 inspection becomes imperative to accurately evaluate the condition of the entire chimney system.

• Accessible: This refers to areas that may require common tools for removing doors, panels, or coverings, without causing damage to the chimney or building structure or finish.

** Readily Accessible: These are areas that are either exposed or easily made accessible for operation, inspection, maintenance, or repair without the need for tools to open or remove doors, panels, or coverings.