Codes of Conduct and Practice
Code of Conduct
01 The objectives of a chimney sweep is to serve the public politely, reliably and efficiently and so uphold the dignity of the Association
02 A Member of the Association is expected to operate with cleanliness and conform to the NACS Code of Practice (see back of NACS Certificate)
03 Members must hold public liability insurance cover
04 A chimney sweep should be trained in the profession and the public is entitled to ask for references
05 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
06 Members of the Association should use the identity card provided by the Association
07 NACS logo stickers should be used on vehicles advertising membership, where applicable
08 The public will be advised of the necessity for regular chimney sweeping and will be invited to ask for a list of Members
09 Members must use the NACS Certificate of Chimney Sweeping on completion of a sweeping contract
10 At all times, Members will be expected to be loyal to the aims and objectives of the Association
11 Members shall not form a franchise operation or similar scheme
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
The Approved Industry Standard 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 Industry Standard 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.
a. 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
b. There is no acceptable method of cleaning a chimney using a vacuum cleaner only
c. 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
d. Chimneys should be swept thoroughly with a brush or cleaning implement that is suitable to remove the products of combustion within the flue
e. 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
f. All Chimney Sweeps must check there is adequate ventilation and carbon monoxide alarms in all the rooms containing the flues and appliances they have worked on, as defined in the Current Building Regulations (Document J / Scottish Building Regs etc)
g. 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
h. 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
i. 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
j. 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
k. All Chimney Sweeps must use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whilst undertaking their work and be trained in its use
l. All Chimney Sweeps must adhere to their Trade Bodies complaints procedure
m. All Chimney Sweeps must hold adequate insurance for the work they undertake
n. All Chimney Sweeps must carry a valid I.D card
After a chimney has been swept, the Chimney Sweep must issue an Industry Standard Certificate of Chimney Sweeping. Should any defects or dangerous occurrences arise, they must be recorded, an Industry Standard Warning Notice and label be issued, and records kept.
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 appropriate Trade Organisation who will do its best to resolve such a complaint.