Sweep, service and inspect flues and appliances

URN: COSVR56
Business Sectors (Suites): Chimney Occupations (Construction)
Developed by: Construction Skills
Approved on: 31 Dec 2022

Overview

​This standard is about preparing and carrying out sweeping, servicing, inspecting, and maintaining domestic or commercial chimney services and systems and appliances up to 50kW, interpreting information, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, selecting and using materials, components, tools and equipment, in accordance the work area and the organisational procedures which are equal to or exceed the current statutory and legislative documentation and specifications

This standard covers the sweeping, servicing and inspection of all appliances up to 50kW output that operate under negative flue pressure and those without internal electronic control systems and covers the inspection of all flue systems that are not made from plastic

This standard is for people working in the occupational area of Chimney Occupations and can be used by operatives, supervisors and managers

A description of terms in bold font in this National Occupational Standard can be found in the Glossary which should be used as a reference point


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

​Interpretation of information
P1 interpret the information relating to the work and resources to confirm its relevance for the following:
•  documentation and specifications
•  drawings
•  schedules
•  contract information
•  pre-installation surveys
•  risk assessments
•  method statements
Safe work practices
P2 comply with the relevant legislation, official guidance and organisational procedures, to carry out your work and maintain safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices relating to the following:
•  methods of work
•  safe use of health and safety control equipment relevant to the         task being undertaken and the working environment
•  safe use of access equipment and working platforms
•  safe use, storage and handling of materials, tools and equipment
•  specific risks to health including mental health
•  specific risks associated with asbestos containing materials
•  specific risks associated with silica dust, mortars and sealants
Selection of resources
P3 select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work:
•  materials, components and fixings
•  tools and equipment
•  access equipment
Minimise the risk of damage
P4 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area by:
•  protecting the work and its surrounding area from damage
•  maintaining a safe, clear and tidy work area *
•  disposing of waste in accordance with         current legislation and industry best practice
*
Meet the contract specification

P5 comply with the contract information to carry out the work efficiently to the required specification by the following:
•  demonstrating work skills to inspect, service, maintain, sweep,            test, position and secure
•  using and maintaining hand and power tools and ancillary                  equipment
•  preparing for and carrying out external and internal inspection,          servicing and sweeping domestic or commercial flues and                  appliances up to 50kW 
•  advising end user of correct fuels, efficient use of appliance and        importance of regular servicing and maintenance
•  identifying adequate ventilation to support correct performance
•  reporting identified defects to the appropriate party
•  carrying out suitable performance tests to ensure intended                 function and combustion
Allocated time
P6 complete the work within the estimated, allocated time in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work and to meet the needs of other occupations and/or client



Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

P1 Interpretation of information

K1 why organisational procedures have been developed to report and rectify inappropriate information and unsuitable resources, and how they are implemented
K2 the types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:
•  documentation and specifications
•  drawings
•  schedules
•  contract information
•  pre-installation surveys
•  risk assessments
•  method statements
K3 the range of relevant digital services, tools and systems, and how they are used
K4 the importance of organisational procedures to record, report and solve problems with the information and why it is important to follow them
P2 Safe work practices
K5 information for current legislation and official guidance and how it is applied
K6 the types of fire extinguishers and how and when they are used in relation to water, CO2, foam, powder
K7 how emergencies should be responded to and reported in accordance with organisational authorisation and personal skills in relation to: 
•  fires, spillages and injuries
•  emergencies relating to occupational activities
•  identification and reporting of asbestos containing materials
K8 the organisational security procedures for tools, equipment and personal belongings in relation to:
•  operative 
•  site
•  workplace
•  vehicles
•  company
•  customer
•  the general public
•  other occupations within the workplace
K9 how to report risks and hazards identified by the following:
•  methods of work
•  risk assessment
•  personal assessment
•  manufacturers’ technical information
•  statutory regulations
•  official guidance
•  Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
K10 the accident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making the report
K11 why, when and how health and safety control equipment identified by the principles of prevention should be used in relation to:
•  collective protective measures
•  personal protective equipment (PPE)
•  respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
•  local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
K12 how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and official guidance when dealing with potential accidents, health hazards and the environment in relation to working:
•  in the workplace
•  below ground level
•  in confined spaces
•  at height
•  with tools and equipment
•  with materials and substances
•  whilst moving and storing materials by manual handling and             mechanical lifting
P3 Selection of resources
K13 why the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with the resources are important and how defects should be reported and rectified
K14 the organisational procedures to select resources, why they have been developed and how they are used
K15 how to confirm the resources and materials conform with the specification
K16 how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:
•  protective equipment and screens
•  replacement components
•  cleaning materials
•  fire cement
•  sealant and adhesive
•  hand and power tools, testing and inspection equipment
K17 how to identify the hazards associated with the resources and methods of work and how they are overcome
K18 how to calculate quantity, length and wastage 
P4 Minimise the risk of damageK19 how to protect work and its surrounding area from damage and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, other occupations and adverse weather conditions and how to minimise damage to existing building fabric
K20 why and how the disposal of waste must be carried out safely in accordance with the following
•  environmental responsibilities
•  organisational procedures
•  manufacturers’ information
•  statutory regulations
•  official guidance
K21 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work area
*
P5 Meet the contract specification*
K22 how the methods of work, to meet the specification, are carried out and how problems are identified and reported by the application of knowledge for safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, procedures and skills relating to the method and area of work in relation to the following:
•  how to inspect, service, maintain and prepare to sweep domestic      and commercial flues and appliances up to 50kW
•  why it is important to advise the end user of correct fuels and                 storage, efficient use of appliance and importance of regular             servicing and maintenance
•  why and how it is important to protect surrounding areas of work
•  ho to identify chimney structures for all fuel types 
•  how to identify chimney defects
•  how to test chimney structures
•  why it is important to check, in accordance with statutory and            manufacturer's instructions, for an alert to the release of carbon        monoxide
•  the importance of flue designation and how to check that the            flue is compatible with the appliance and its intended use
•  why it is important to ensure permanent access to installation            data is available
•  why it is important to keep company records
•  why it is important to seek specialist skills and advice when                isolating services, including but not limited to: electric, gas,                oil, communication, water
•  the relevance of an assessment of significance and how to                  recognise specific requirements for structures of special interest,      traditional construction, hard-to-treat buildings and historical            significance
•  how to work safely with, around and in close proximity to plant          and machinery
•  how to use hand and power tools and equipment
•  how to work at height using access equipment
•  how and why operative care and maintenance of hand and power      tools and equipment is carried out
K23 the principles of combustion to include:
•  adequate fuel quality
•  combustion temperature
•  sufficient combustion air
•  combustion performance effects on emissions
K24 the principles of chimney flue draft and design including but not limited to:
•  mechanical ventilation
•  natural flue draft
•  forced flue draft
•  adequate chimney draft to evacuate the products of combustion
•  effective flue height
•  effective flue area
•  impact of bends and restrictions
•  impact of flue outlet position
•  interaction with the building envelope and topography
•  meteorological effects
K25 the importance of team-work and communication, organisational procedures with respect to site behaviours, and how to respond to inappropriate site behaviours
K26 the needs of other occupations associated with sweeping, servicing and inspecting flues and appliances
P6 Allocated time
K27 the programme of work to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time and why deadlines should be kept
K28 the types of progress charts, timetables and estimated times and the organisational procedures for reporting circumstances which will affect the work programme



Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Organisational procedures
Organisational
Insurances – public, product and employers liability, professional indemnity
Company documents
contract for the work, safety management plan, Construction Design and Management regulations, environmental policy, complaints procedure, information privacy and security policy, management structure
Work area
The area where the equipment will be installed and all areas affected by the work extending to topographical features and meteorological conditions
Services and systems
Chimney and flue systems, appliances, ventilation systems and appropriate utilities
Documentation and specifications
Manufacturers’ instructions for all equipment that forms part of the work
architect’s plans and site-specific documentation
local building rules and regulations
Party Wall legislation
Clean Air Act
Environment Act
Smoke Control Zones
Permitted Development
Conservation Areas
Heritage status
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
specific requirements of insurance underwriters
Building regulations in England and Wales, particularly ADJ but also ADA, ADB, ADF, ADL and AD7
Building Standards Technical Handbook in Scotland
Technical Booklets in Northern Ireland, particularly B, D, E, F1, F2, K and L
BSEN’s particularly 8303, 15287, 1856, 16510, 1251, 3376, 4834, 12815, 13229, 13240, 15250
Note: Technical and BSEN documents may be withdrawn or superseded during review programmes, it is therefore important to check the currency and validity of all such documents to ensure the correct version is being referenced.
Appliances
Solid fuel burning appliances up to 50kW output including but not limited to the following:
•  open fires
•  free standing room heaters
•  inset room heaters
•  free standing cookers
•  independent boilers
•  slow heat release stoves


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

2

Indicative Review Date

31 Dec 2027

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

CITB

Original URN

COSVR56

Relevant Occupations

Construction and Building Trades nec

SOC Code

5319

Keywords

Chimneys; Domestic-chimney; Industrial-chimney; Fire cement; Energy systems