Smoke Testing

All chimney flues must be safe and fit for purpose. Smoke or 'soundness' testing of a flue encompasses a wide range of visual and constructional investigations to ascertain whether a flue is suitable for its intended use. Smoke testing in itself can only be used to assess whether the flue in the chimney, the connecting pipe ( and flue gas passages in appliance) are free of obstruction and acceptably gas tight, it does not necessarily guarantee a flue or chimney shaft is suitable for a particular appliance. Some appliance efficiency is a concern.

Requirements are served in Doc J of The Building Regulations. To Help identify chimneys, flues and associated items a detailed, two part certificate is completed, together with a short on-site written report. Smoke testing can form part of a survey for the installation of a new solid fuel appliance and is often used in conjunction with cctv inspections orif a dwelling has experienced a chimney fire.It does not constitute a full site survey.

Procedure usually involves through-chimney sweeping, warming of the flue, access to terminal, introduction of a dense smoke which is then trapped within the flue by sealing off both terminal and fireplace or appliances opening. A detailed check is then performed on chimney breast, walls, ceiling / floor areas, rooms, as risk of carbon monoxide and fire can be very real. If smoke can escape, then fumes, soot and potential ignition can also follow the same route. Leakage from the exterior of a chimney may (if small) only require that the masonry be repointed.