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A Code of Practice for persons involved in cleaning or scraping the interiors of chimneys and flues provided for use with heating appliances.

1. It shall be the endeavour of such persons involved, to provide as thorough and as honest a service available, with respect to the dangers of fire, suffocation and ill health caused by the malfunction of such chimneys and flue ways

2. All persons involved in such work shall by virtue of the hidden nature of the task advise and work so as to keep the occupier, user or property owner aware of such faults and hazards, found during working. Under no circumstances shall a person trading as a chimney sweep, use any skimping methods which result in a chimney not being properly cleaned or probed by a brush, or suitable rod attachments. Care must be taken to prove a chimney to be venting.

3. Should any chimney prove after work has commenced, to be blocked or capped beyond a sweeps method, a label clearly stating that fact should be placed at the fire opening and the user or responsible person made aware, verbally and in writing as soon as possible.

In any advertising a person using the word "sweep" in connection with chimney cleaning, shall be deemed to be offering a service, which will be the passing of an appropriate size and strength of brush through a chimney or flue, by means of extendible handles (rods) or by line and weighted brush.

1. If a service not using the recognised method, incorporating a brush is advertised, the person shall not be classified as a chimney sweep, nor should be using the word "sweep" in an advertisement.

2. Where in advertising a name and term "Vacuum" or "Vac" is used, indication shall be made whether or not a brush is to be used.

1. The practice of chimney sweeping shall be deemed to be the passing of an adequately sized and strength brush, appropriate to the diameter of the chimney and flue used, through the complete length of the chimney. The brush may be put through by either rods or a line and weights.

2. There is no acceptable method of cleaning a chimney using a vacuum cleaner only.

3. In all cases a chimney sweep shall carry sufficient rods or line to ensure the brush will pass the length of the chimney or flue completely.

4. Brushes will be in good order and full bristle. The practice of passing bald or undersized brushes through chimneys is totally unacceptable, except in the case of problem chimneys and with the knowledge and consent of a responsible person involved with the property or its ownership.

5. Before any sweeping commences, the immediate floor area and fireplace opening or boiler hatch shall be sheeted to keep mess to the absolute minimum

6. In the case of boilers and log burners, all air ways and flues shall be thoroughly brushed out unless the responsible person has indicated otherwise. This work does not include boiler servicing.

7. All problems and faults found during sweeping shall be made known to the persons with whom the sweeping contract is made, or the property owner. All such problems and faults relating to the chimney or heating appliances shall be put in writing.

8. It is considered that any person calling on a chimney sweep, unless stating otherwise, believes to the best of their ability that the chimneys to be swept are in a safe and structurally sound condition. They shall not hold the sweep responsible for any further damage to chimneys, pots, flues, roofing tiles, heating appliances, cowls etc. or personal injury to themselves or third parties, caused by the act of sweeping a faulty or aged chimney.

9. A sweep shall have the right to refuse work on arrival at premises, if the work involved is for any reason unsafe or dangerous to perform (Health and Safety at Work Act 1974) on producing evidence of the defect in writing with, if possible, a remedy for the situation. In these circumstances the sweep shall be eligible for their full fee.

10. In order to protect their health, all sweeps should carry respiratory protection, fine weave overall, protective gloves, site helmet and eye protection.

After a chimney has been swept, the chimney sweep shall issue a National Association of Chimney Sweeps certificate to the householder or property owner stating that a chimney has been swept in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the National Association of Chimney Sweeps. A date for subsequent re-sweeping should be recommended. Should any defects be obvious as in "g" or "h", a statement to that effect shall be made on the certificate.

In the event of a complaint concerning work, it should, in the first instance be referred to the responsible firm or sweep within seven days. If satisfactory response is not made, contact the National Association of Chimney Sweeps in writing, and it will do its best to resolve such a complaint.