The longest serving Trade Association for Qualified Chimney Sweeps

Today’s NACS Chimney Sweep specialist provides professional chimney sweeping as well as technical expertise for the safe operation and maintenance of chimneys, appliances and the installation of flue systems, stainless steel flexible liners and flue terminations.

The National Association of Chimney Sweeps formed in 1982 as a professional trade association with a current membership of over 700 members. NACS promotes high standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys.

It is the National Trade Association in the UK to represent Chimney Sweeps and is exclusively recommended by all major fuel organisations – Solid Fuel Association, HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme), British Gas, OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association), National Fireplace Association.

All novices and some new members must undertake compulsory training and on-site assessment and are also checked, prior to enrolment, for public liability insurance and all the necessary tools and adequate equipment to ensure the public is well protected by the services of a professional sweep.

Our Members work strictly to the NACS Code of Practice and Code of Conduct for the cleaning of chimneys. On completion of work, NACS Sweeps issue a NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping and recommend when future cleaning is necessary.

NACS Sweeps stock a comprehensive range of different brushes and tools to tackle the vast variety of chimneys, flues and appliances they meet. Many Members also carry sophisticated equipment such as CCTV cameras for the testing and surveying of chimneys and for diagnosing chimney faults on new and existing flue installations.

The NACS Code of Conduct for Chimney Sweeps

1. The objectives of a chimney sweep is to serve the public politely, reliably, and efficiently and so uphold the dignity of the Association
2. A Member of the Association is expected to operate with cleanliness and conform to the NACS Code of Practice (see back of NACS Certificate)
3. Members must hold public liability insurance cover
4. A chimney sweep should be trained in the profession and the public is entitled to ask for references
5. In the event of any dispute between a member of the public and a Member of the Association, the disciplinary procedure of the Association, as agreed in April 1994, shall be adhered to
6. Members of the Association should use the identity card provided by the Association
7. NACS logo stickers should be used on vehicles advertising membership, where applicable
8. The public will be advised of the necessity for regular chimney sweeping and will be invited to ask for a list of Members
9. Members must issue the NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping (Copyright) for each chimney cleaned on the day
10. At all times, Members will be expected to be loyal to the aims and objectives of the Association, and not bring the Association into disrepute
11. Members shall not form a franchise operation or similar scheme and shall not train any non-members or novices without the approval of the Board of Directors.
12. Members shall not be members of other chimney sweeping organisations, establishments or companies that may cause a conflict or threat to the interests of the NACS
13. Members are bound by the rules and regulations of membership of the Association which are contained in the Articles of Association of The National Association of Chimney Sweeps Limited, a copy of which is available on request
14. On ceasing to be a Member of the Association, Members must return their identity cards and remove all references on stationery, premises, vehicles etc to the Association, the words NACS and its logo. Any future use of the name of the Association or any of its logos is strictly prohibited.
15. Members must not bring the Association into disrepute by committing any serious criminal offences, theft, sexual assaults, fraud, discrimination, dishonesty, violent or terrorist acts against the Crown or to any other persons that will cause distress and harm to the public or the Association. Any of the above acts will result in the members expulsion and their membership being terminated. The Association reserves the right to reject any membership and any future applications to re-join the NACS.
16. Members must renew their membership each year by the Association’s approved Direct Debit method.

Download the NACS Code of Conduct for Chimney Sweeps

The NACS Code of Practice for Chimney Sweeping

Chimney Sweeps must be trained in accordance with the Industry Recommended Criteria of both theory and practical elements of chimney sweeping at an Industry Accredited Training Centre. They shall not practice the trade of a Chimney Sweep until they have been assessed and deemed competent by a trade organisation who meets the NACS National Code of Practice.

1. It shall be the endeavour of such Chimney Sweeps 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, flue ways, and appliances.
2. All Chimney Sweeps 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 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 by the use of smoke pellets.

Sweeping

1. The practice of chimney sweeping shall be deemed to be the passing of an adequate 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 rods, viper and star, a line and weights, or Rotary Sweeping equipment
2. There is no acceptable method of cleaning a chimney using a vacuum cleaner only
3. A Chimney Sweep must ensure that they carry a sufficient number of rods / line and weights or viper to ensure that the brush will pass the length of the chimney or flue completely
4. Chimneys should be swept thoroughly with a brush or cleaning implement that is suitable to remove the products of combustion within the flue
5. Before any sweeping commences, the immediate floor area and fireplace opening/appliance and/or any access points must be protected using suitable sealing methods, such as sheeting and foam blocks, to keep mess to the absolute minimum before and during the sweeping process
6. All Chimney Sweeps must check there is ventilation and carbon monoxide alarms in all the rooms containing the flues and appliances they have worked on.
7. All problems and faults found during sweeping shall be made known to the person with whom the sweeping contract is made, property owner, or the operative of the appliance. All such problems and faults relating to the chimney or heating appliances shall be put in writing
8. All Chimney Sweeps will endeavour to carry out a visual inspection of chimney stacks and flue terminations prior to the cleaning of such flues and appliances
9. The Chimney Sweep must not undertake work on any chimney or appliance that is deemed unsafe or dangerous (in accordance with the current Health and Safety at Work Act). Evidence of the defect will be put in writing
10. Soot from the sweeping process must be disposed of in an appropriate manner and will only be transported with the appropriate local authority’s permission in the form of a waste carriage licence. Current COSHH statements must be carried in the vehicle
11. All Chimney Sweeps must use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whilst undertaking their work and be trained in its use
12. All Chimney Sweeps must adhere to the NACS Complaints Procedure
13. All Chimney Sweeps must hold adequate insurance for the work they undertake
14. All Chimney Sweeps must carry a valid I.D card

Certification

After a chimney has been swept, the Chimney Sweep must issue a NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping for each Chimney cleaned.  Should any defects or dangerous occurrences arise, they must be recorded, an NACS Warning Notice and label be issued, and records kept.

Consumer Complaints

In the event of a complaint concerning the 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 who will do its best to resolve such a complaint

Please Note

Very tarry chimneys present a higher risk of chimney fires even if swept regularly. Loose lining material may continue to fall, no matter how often the chimney is swept. Serious cases will need re-lining. Fire risk indicates a potential danger, which should be acted upon before the fire is lit again. The smoke evacuation check does not guarantee the integrity of the chimney. You should be particularly careful as to the condition of your flue and chimney if using solid fuel, oil or gas, and if you have any concerns in

this regard please talk to your Sweep who will be delighted to do all he/she can to help. They will provide advice on smoke testing procedures and what tests may need to be carried out. Regular chimney sweeping is important to protect you and your home safely.

Disclaimer

The following information is given as part of the service provided by your Sweep. It is given in good faith, but as your Sweep can only carry out a brief visual inspection and has not investigated any inaccessible and/or concealed areas, the information must not be relied upon in any way. Chimneys are affected by the way they are used, the weather and many other conditions not known to your Sweep. If you have any safety concerns, please talk to your Sweep who will be delighted to do all he/she can to help. This is not a certificate of guarantee or warranty that any fireplace, heating appliance, boiler, flue or chimney stack is safe. Unless your Sweep is qualified to test the inaccessible and concealed areas of the flue, your Sweep cannot warrant that there are no potential defects in the flue or your chimney arising from fair wear and tear, willful damage, accident, negligence by you or any third party, use otherwise as recommended by the manufacturer of the appliance, failure to follow the manufacturers instructions, or any alteration or repair carried out by you or any third party.