The Chim-Scan® Factory Training and Levels of Inspection Guide is designed to be a resource for professional individuals who work on chimneys and fireplaces. They may include hearth products retailers, chimney sweeps, contractors, service techs, home inspectors, fire marshals, forensic engineers, and insurance company representatives.
Chimney cameras help those individuals find answers to the questions asked within the Levels of Inspections in NFPA 211, Chapters 14 (Maintenance), 15 (Inspection of Existing Chimneys), and the Annex (Explanatory Material). Anyone inspecting chimneys needs a copy of the NFPA 211 Standard, International Residential Code (IRC), and any local codes adopted in your area. If you perform chimney inspections, you need a copy of NFPA 211. To find a comparison of an ideal chimney, consult the International Residential Code (IRC) Chapters 10, 13, 14, 18, and 24.
The Chim-Scan® offers the ability to see into the interior of the chimney. Once you can clearly see the interior, you may ask, “What am I looking at, and how did this happen?.” With the chimney interior clearly visible, we segmented (through modules) the Manual into sections to thoroughly cover your questions.
There are Five Modules, each designed with a different chimney application (one with a fireplace). The modules are:

• Scanning the Masonry Fireplace and Chimney
• Scanning the Masonry Fireplace with an Appliance - Insert or Hearth Stove
• Scanning the Masonry Thimble Chimney with a Solid or Liquid Fuel Appliance(s)
• Scanning the Prefabricated Fireplace and Chimney
• Scanning a Prefab Chimney with a Solid Fuel or Liquid Fuel Appliance(s)

Within each module is the following:

• A diagram of the installation
• An explanation of terms throughout the diagram
• Each module provides a list of questions for the Level I and Level II Inspection Process and items to check from the Annex of NFPA 211 designated just for that type of installation.
• We also include the differences between Level I and II and when to do the correct type of inspection.

This Manual represents how to scan chimneys and includes photos from the field showing how they are built and the outcome from use to abuse. Each module includes a checklist for the Four Pathways to Deterioration and how the defect was created. There is a saying, “People don’t care how much you know until they see how much you care.” Explaining the defect and the cause shows your customers you care enough to help them understand versus handing them a confusing report scattered with pictures. We care, so we include this information for you.
To become a Chim-Scan® Factory Trained Technician, you must take and pass the test. This open-book and multiple-choice test is based on this Chim-Scan® Manual and knowledge of the Chim-Scan® System. Each question is worth one point. Since this is an open-book test, 85% of correct answers are passing scores. For more information, click here.

​©2024 Estoban Corporation LLC. 

​A chimney inspection involves peeling back many layers of investigation, almost like peeling an onion. Just as each layer of onion is a leaf that helps feed the plant, each part of the chimney investigation peels back another layer, revealing transitions and potential defects. Just as every onion is unique with its number of layers and thickness, each chimney is unique and differs depending on many factors such as type, fuel, usage, construction, etc. If you could build your inspection, where would you start?
The first consideration we could start with is the type of chimney we will inspect. Does it fall within one of the following categories?

• A Masonry Fireplace with or without Gas Logs?
• A Masonry Fireplace Chimney venting an insert or hearth stove?
• Masonry Chimney with a thimble connection venting a solid or liquid fuel(s) appliance(s)?
• A prefabricated fireplace?
• Listed prefabricated chimney venting a solid or liquid fuel(s) appliance(s).

Once you narrow it down to the type of chimney and what it is venting, then you can peel back another layer of common building components such as:

• Brick, block, or stone
• Clay flue tiles or prefabricated chimney sections
• Exterior chimney mortar
• Interior chimney mortar
• Prefabricated braces and stabilizers for a chimney with or without a chase.

​Peel another layer back and look at more specifics:

• Connector pipe and adaptors
• Insulated thimbles for masonry
• Thimbles and supports for prefabricated chimney
• Components such as supports, offsets, locking bands, attic shields, etc., for prefabricated chimneys.

The next layer you could peel back is specifics about the appliance, such as:

• Is it a fireplace?
• Is it venting a solid-fuel appliance?
• Is it venting a liquid-fuel appliance?
• Is it burning oil, gas, or solid fuels?
• Is it a furnace, boiler, or gas water heater?
• Is it a hearth stove, free-standing stove, or insert?

 
The next layer could be appliance specifics such as:

• Fireplace interior construction and clearances
• Fireplace facing and hearth construction and clearances.
• Appliance mounting (stove boards) and wall protection clearances.
• Gas appliance installation requirements include clearances and items like a hot water coil.
• Oil appliance installation requirements include clearances and items such as a barometric damper, hot water coil, etc.

​Depending on how far down you want to peel the onion, we have modules available to peel right down to the core. What you find within the first couple of layers usually determines how far you need to go with each layer, peeling back more evidence regarding fireplace and appliance use and how the products of combustion reacted as they entered and passed through the chimney.
Whatever your desire in an inspection process for documentation, we can create it. Whether it is a Level 1, 2, or 3, we promise your eyes won’t water when you see the cost. 

​©2024 Estoban Corporation LLC.