The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections

 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 1  inspection is a minimum requirement. A Level 1 inspection 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 inspection, your chimney service technician should examine the readily accessible** portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible* portions of  the appliance and the 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 also verify the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible  deposits. 

A Level 2 inspection 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. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or  after an operation 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  inspection is warranted. 

 There are no specialty tools (i.e. demolition equipment)  required to open doors, panels or coverings in performing a Level 2  inspection. A Level 2 inspection shall also include a visual inspection  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  inspection. 

 When a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection 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 inspection is  recommended. A Level 3 inspection addresses the proper construction and  the 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 inspection. A Level 2 inspection includes  everything in a Level 1 inspection, 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. 

 A Level 3 inspection includes all the areas and items  checked in a Level 1 and a Level 2 inspection, 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 inspection. When serious hazards are suspected, a Level 3  inspection may well be required to determine the condition of the  chimney system. 

 * 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. 

Reference:

The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections. (n.d.). Retrieved January 11, 2020, from https://www.csia.org/inspections.html.