Profession chimney sweep
Chimney sweeps undertake cleaning activities of chimneys for all types of buildings. They remove ash and soot and perform maintenance on a regular basis, following health and safety regulations. Chimney sweeps may perform safety inspections and minor repairs.
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Knowledge
- Domestic heating systems
The modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.
- Fire safety regulations
The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.
- Personal protective equipment
Types of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.
- Pollution prevention
The processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.
- Ventilation systems
The types of mechanical ventilation systems that permits the exchange and circulation of air.
Skills
- Report chimney defects
Inform property owners and relevant authorities on any chimney malfunctions.
- Carry out chimney pressure testing
Perform tests to ensure there are no leaks allowing smoke to enter interior surfaces.
- Check chimney's conditions
Monitor and check the faults and current conditions of chimneys and fire places by using specialised smoke-detecting machinery and video surveillance equipment.
- Maintain customer service
Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
- Clean chimney
Use tools to extract debris from chimneys by using a vacuum cleaner or brush suitable to remove the products of combustion within the flue.
- Clean ventilation system
Clean combustion and ventilation systems and related equipment. Eliminate combustion residues and deposits by knocking, scraping, and burning.
- Advise on potential safety hazards concerning heating systems
Provide information and advice to clients on the type of potential dangers they face, such as suffocation, CO-poisoning or fire, in cases where the fireplaces or chimneys are not swept for a long period of time.
- Protect surrounding area during chimney sweeping process
Use protection methods and materials to keep the surrounding area of the fire place entrance and floor clean before and during the sweeping process.
- Use chimney sweeping equipment
Operate tools and equipment meant to clean debris from chimneys such as dust sheets, torches, mirrors, floor sheets, bags for debris and various rods and brushes.
- Dispose soot from the sweeping process
Dispose and transport soot from the sweeping process in an appropriate manner and according to local and national regulations.
- Measure pollution
Conduct pollution measurements to determine whether the prescribed pollutant limits are respected. Check firing systems and exhaust paths of gas water heaters, air heaters, and similar equipment.
- Use personal protection equipment
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
- Examine ventilation system
Check ventilation systems for operationality and fire safety.