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Built EnvironmentISCO 7133

Chimney sweep

A chimney sweep is a person who cleans the chimneys of buildings of every kind, removing ash and soot and carrying out the regular maintenance that keeps a flue working, in accordance with health and safety rules. Safety inspections and minor repairs belong to the same role.

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Check yourself in a minute: chimney sweep

Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

check chimney's conditions

use personal protection equipment

dispose soot from the sweeping process

advise on hazards of heating systems

protect surrounding area during chimney sweeping process

About chimney sweep

Cleaning is the visible work, and it is done to a method. The sweep secures the adjoining area before starting, uses specialised chimney-sweeping equipment to work a flue from below or from the roof, and uses personal protective equipment.

Inspection comes first. The sweep checks the condition of the chimney, assesses the ventilation system, and reports chimney defects: a crack, a blockage, a flue drawing badly or a liner that has failed. Fire safety regulations set what the sweep is looking for, and the same examination that finds a fire risk also finds the conditions in which combustion gases enter a room instead of leaving it.

Advising the occupant closes the visit. The sweep advises on the hazards associated with heating systems. The sweep tells the occupier about the risks of a chimney that is not maintained, such as fire, suffocation or carbon monoxide poisoning.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

ventilation systemsventilation systemsThe types of mechanical ventilation systems that permits the exchange and circulation of air.fire safety regulationsfire safety regulationsThe legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.personal protective equipmentpersonal protective equipmentTypes of protective materials and equipment foreseen for various types of tasks such as general or specialised cleaning activities.domestic heating systemsdomestic heating systemsThe modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.check chimney's conditionscheck chimney's conditionsMonitor and check the faults and current conditions of chimneys and fire places by using specialised smoke-detecting machinery and video surveillance equipment.use personal protection equipmentuse personal protection equipmentMake use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.dispose soot from the sweeping processdispose soot from the sweeping processDispose and transport soot from the sweeping process in an appropriate manner and according to local and national regulations.advise on hazards of heating systemsadvise on hazards of heating systemsProvide 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 peri...protect surrounding area during chimney sweeping processprotect surrounding area during chimney sweeping processUse protection methods and materials to keep the surrounding area of the fire place entrance and floor clean before and during the sweeping process.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep 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 requ...report chimney defectsreport chimney defectsInform property owners and relevant authorities on any chimney malfunctions.examine ventilation systemexamine ventilation systemCheck ventilation systems for operationality and fire safety.clean ventilation systemclean ventilation systemClean combustion and ventilation systems and related equipment. Eliminate combustion residues and deposits by knocking, scraping, and burning.enforce safety procedures when working at heightsenforce safety procedures when working at heightsPlan and prepare all documentation and equipment related to working at heights and its hazards in order to inform the workers under your supervision and instruct them how to work safely.carry out chimney pressure testingcarry out chimney pressure testingPerform tests to ensure there are no leaks allowing smoke to enter interior surfaces.use chimney sweeping equipmentuse chimney sweeping equipmentOperate 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.clean chimneyclean chimneyUse tools to extract debris from chimneys by using a vacuum cleaner or brush suitable to remove the products of combustion within the flue.
Optional (14) — show
energyenergyPower capacity in the form of mechanical, electrical, heat, potential, or other energy from chemical or physical resources, which can be used to drive a physical system.roofing techniquesroofing techniquesTechniques used to form the upper covering of a building according to specific materials such as ceramic tiles, wood shingles, slate, metal, concrete of plant stalks.work in outdoor conditionswork in outdoor conditionsCan cope with the different climate conditions such as heat, rain, cold or in strong wind.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.create chimney inspection reportscreate chimney inspection reportsWrite the measurements, inspections and defects encountered after an intervention on chimney cleaning.maintain relationship with customersmaintain relationship with customersBuild a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and servic...drive vehiclesdrive vehiclesBe able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.comply with schedulecomply with scheduleWork and complete tasks as scheduled; perform the necessary work activities to successfully complete the task within the timeframe allocated.advise on heating systems energy efficiencyadvise on heating systems energy efficiencyProvide information and advice to clients on how to preserve an energy efficient heating system in their home or office and possible alternatives.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.provide customer follow-up servicesprovide customer follow-up servicesRegister, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.tend asbestos blowertend asbestos blowerTend the blower used to dry asbestos and eliminate fumes from asbestos.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...

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Frequently asked questions

What does a chimney sweep do?

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.

What skills does a chimney sweep need?

A chimney sweep needs 17 essential skills, including ventilation systems, fire safety regulations, personal protective equipment, domestic heating systems, check chimney's conditions.

Will AI replace chimney sweep jobs?

The AI disruption score for chimney sweep is 33/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, fire safety regulations, provide customer follow-up services. Most resilient: work in outdoor conditions, energy, clean ventilation system.

Quick Facts

SectorBuilt Environment
ISCO GroupBuilding and related trades workers
Essential Skills17

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