Chimney sweep

Chimney sweep, chimney sweep or a chimney sweep (also chimney sweep, chimney sweep, Sottje or Schlotfeger ( regional) ) are persons who sweep chimneys.

In Germany they were given additional responsibilities by the legislature:

• The cleaning and inspection of chimneys,
• The measurement of oil heaters, gas heaters, pellet and (since 2010) of gas-powered water heaters,
• And the so-called hearth shop ( newly installed heating and twice every seven years ).

• 3.1 sweeping monopoly
• 3.2 Emissions costs or fees

• 5.1 Germany
• 5.2 Austria
• 5.3 Switzerland

History

It is believed that an origin of the chimney sweeps is to be sought in Italy and was associated with the development of the chimney. As the old single-room house in which up to then the rising of the fireplace smoke had risen in the room or in the attic, received a suspended ceiling, you needed a device for deriving the annoying and harmful smoke. They built chimney funnel (so-called food) over the fireplace. The thus collected smoke led the fair in a chimney (Synonyms: vent ) or through a hole in the wall to the outside.

In farmhouses smoke vents were made ​​of wood and clay, probably about the 10th century gradually usual. For cities such as Trier, Cologne, Strasbourg, Erfurt the multistorey from the 12th century is demonstrated. In Italy there is evidence of mid-14th century stone chimneys; in Germany they were rarely well until the 15th century. The smokestacks and chimneys swept the owner or tenant, or he commissioned a third party with it. There were also itinerant craftsmen (eg chimney sweeps from the north of Italy ), who offered their services in Germany. Triggered by town fires originated in the high and late Middle Ages, the first fire orders and fire regulations. They were part of a general urban systems, were considered to be from the 16th century and spread during the 17th century.

Compiled and published were the fire orders from the sovereign or municipal authority. They were occasionally revised and amended. In some fire orders the regular sweeping of the chimney was mandatory. So the city of Wroclaw issued in a document dated August 4, 1578 on the " Neuaufgerichtete fire order" sweeping districts for chimney sweeps in the city. On April 2, 1727 King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm I issued a regulation, the requirements for chimneys, erection of sweep districts, the assessment of the fireplaces and the chimney sweep liability for damage contained.

On June 21, 1869, the Industrial Code for the German Reich was introduced in § 39 permitted the establishment of inverse districts for chimney sweeps. The establishment of sweep districts was therefore a " discretionary clause "; of her was made very different use. So there was no uniform standards for the size of the reciprocal districts. However, the sometimes was not sufficient to be able to make a living full time. Some small communities had the ambition to have a local "own" chimney sweep. On 15 June 1880, the decree of the Prussian Minister of Trade and Industry to control the chimney sweep being on 14 May 1880, published in the German Reich Gazette. With this decree spoke the Minister of principle for the system of reciprocal districts for chimney sweeps.

The Ministerial Decree of 5 February 1907 in Prussia until 1935, the legal basis for the sweeping district formation. The main points were: "For the formation of the sweep districts fireproofs interest alone is decisive. - An adequate income is required. - The monitoring capability of the district forms the border. - A review on the basis of a reciprocal book to be held every 5 years. - A list of candidates is set up. - Exclusion of incidental activity without explicit permission. - Survey of the reciprocal wages only by the owner. -. The provincial government can take up as a profession obligations fire aid, fire show and the final building inspection " by the authority to establish reciprocal districts, if at this time all the countries in the Weimar Republic use anywhere sweeping districts were established.

On 13 April 1935, the Reichstag changed - he had surrendered on 24 March 1933, the Enabling Act 's legislative powers to the national government, has since been "brought " and had no democratic function more - the applicable until then § 39 of the Commercial Code and wrote the establishment of sweep districts before ( " Act amending the Commercial Code ").

On the basis of this law enacted Reich Ministry of Economics and Ministry of the Interior, the " Regulation on the chimney sweep essence " of April 15, 1935 and 28 July 1937.

The latter stipulated:

" The maintenance of fire safety in the public interest. Therefore all buildings with chimneys and furnaces are subject to the reciprocal coercion. The reverse charge is a public charge of the property. Sweeping may only Bezirksschornsteinfegermeister masters who are employed for certain inverse districts, or their journeymen and apprentices are running. The chimney sweeper heard as a trader on the craft. He is under the supervision and order criminal violence an authority, but has not officials Highness. "

Thus, the district chimney sweep got the so-called sweeping monopoly.

After the Second World War, Germany was divided into four occupation zones in which there were different regulations for chimney sweeps being. On January 22, 1952 (then West Germany ), the Federal Law on the Regulation of Chimney Sweeps being ' adopted ( " Chimney Sweeps Act") for the Federal Republic of Germany.

On 10 July 1969, the Federal Council approved the ' Law on the chimney sweep being ' too. The new law, which abolished the old still applicable sections of the Industrial Code, brought a chimney sweep uniform law for the Federal Republic of Germany.

Purpose and Tasks

Chimneys are cleaned so that the flue cross-section remains large enough for the withdrawal of the exhaust gases. The cross section can be reduced ( up to the blockage of the chimney ) by leaves, bird, hornet and wasp nests or - in very old chimneys - by age-related damage to the chimney. If this results in an exhaust back pressure, exhaust gas can enter the room where the heater is. See also carbon monoxide poisoning.

If a lot of soot in the chimney and the chimney interior walls are strongly heated ( for example, by prolonged heating " in one piece" ), the hot exhaust gas can ignite the soot ( chimney fire, also known as soot fire ).

Gas in the chimney caused no soot; Oil, with correct settings, if necessary in marginal amounts. Soot is formed in appreciable amounts in solid fuel in open fires, wood Festbrandöfen and central heating systems by incomplete combustion (see Combustion (Chemistry ), wood - burning, smoldering ).

For the soot - removal devices such as special sweeping the push broom or the Schulte travel be used.

Carbon monoxide content (CO)

The chimney sweep also checks the carbon monoxide (CO) content in the exhaust gas fireplaces. Carbon monoxide ( or carbon monoxide ) is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas which is highly toxic even in small quantities and from a level of 1000 ppm may cause ( 0.1 % by volume) to life-threatening health hazard when it escapes into the air. The electronic measuring instruments used for measurement must be semi-annually inspected by an authorized testing center ( in a competent chimney sweep guild often ). A rapid test for other variables such as carbon dioxide or oxygen were made ​​earlier by means of a so-called Schüttelknochen. This technique is now considered outdated.

Flue gas loss

The chimney sweep measures as part of the exhaust gas measurement, even the loss of a gas heating system, so the amount of heat energy in the fuel that is wasted during the operation of the furnaces through the chimney. For the exhaust loss of a heating system, there are fixed limits, which depend inter alia on the performance of the system and its compliance with the chimney sweep checks. Basis for this in Germany, the Federal Pollution Control Act, and the first Regulation implementing the Law ( 1 BlmSchV ).

However, the exhaust loss alone is not a measure of whether a heating system works efficiently. Other system parameters such as choosing the right heating curve and the annual efficiency have a greater impact on the energy efficiency and the cost of central heating.

Smoke number (with oil heating )

When fired with fuel oil heating systems of the chimney sweeps determined with a flue gas measurement soot level. This is required by the first Federal Emission Regulation ( BlmSchV ). Since 22 March 2010 new measurement intervals apply.

Fireplace shop

In Austria and Germany, there is a statutory fireplace shop (also called Feuerstättenbeschau ). In Germany regulates since 1 January 2010, the federally KÜO ( Sweeping and Examination Regulations ), the time intervals as well as the duty to be carried out the fireplace Show ( FSS); formerly governed this country's laws. At the end is a fireplace know.

The fireplace scene is a visual control. You should determine whether the furnace is still operational and fire-safe or whether it has defects. The chimney sweep checks, among other things:

• The tightness of the stove pipes and exhaust systems
• Fire safety clearances to components of combustible materials: eg flammable components (eg wood ceilings, wooden wall paneling, doors, etc.) could be added that are too close to the fireplace
• Eg could before Feuerungsöffnungen a non- combustible flooring have been replaced by a flammable - but then the operator is a non- flammable surface a certain minimum size, submit the furnace

• Whether the combustion air supply is ensured
• If signs of wear are visible on the heater or the stove pipe that impair the function of the system ( heat can promote corrosion)

Support for fire-fighters

Due to his experience and local knowledge of the chimney sweep is a key contact for the fire department. Therefore, he is often able to assist in fighting fires by the competent chimney fire department. In Germany, this task is rooted in the law on chimney sweeps and belongs to the unpaid obligations of the chimney sweep.

Provisions in Germany

In Germany, around 20,000 employees in the chimney sweep trade operate.

In Germany, a uniform federal regulation, Sweeping and Examination Regulations ( KÜO ) on 16 June 2009, in force since 1 January 2010. Before that there was Sweeping and Examination Regulations of the individual provinces. Appendix 1 of KÜO on 16 June 2009 specifies how often the calendar year which assets need to be checked and how often the device connected to these systems chimney must be swept. There are quite a discretion:

• " Used occasionally for fireplaces " only need to be swept once a year
• " More than occasionally, but not regularly used fire places " are to return twice a year
• " Regularly used in the usual heating season fireplaces " three times a year

For example, can owners of stoves and other heating appliances to inform her chimney sweep solid fuel that their furnace is used only occasionally, and work to ensure that this is returned only once per calendar year.

Which assets are as measured and what limits must be adhered to thereby determines the first Regulation implementing the Federal Pollution Control Act ( 1 BlmSchV ).

Sweeping monopoly

In Germany, was until 31 December 2012, the sweeping monopoly so-called ( territorial monopoly of the state ) and determined that homeowners were allowed to leave the statutory activities ( precautions, inspections, measurements, evaluation ) only carried out by the respective local chimney sweep. Sweeping monopoly, sweeping duty territorial monopoly of the local chimney sweep and fee levels were controversial.

In March 2008, the Federal German government to relax the sweeping monopoly and in particular to enable EU citizens to access the chimney sweep profession. The bill is a result of EU infringement proceedings by the European Commission from April 2003 In November 2008, the bill into law Amending the chimney sweep system ( chimney sweep crafts Law - SchfHwG ) was. November 26, 2008 - Federal Law Gazette I p 2242 - adopted.

Since 1 January 2013 there is the possibility for home and apartment owners in Germany to choose for certain activities ( inspection, sweeping and measuring work ) another registered chimney sweep company that is no longer bound for these activities to the fee schedule. The decrease of newly built fireplaces and chimneys, the management and administration of a sweeping book ( with the list of all fireplaces ), the so-called fireplace show, which approximately takes place every 3.5 years, and the issuance of a so-called fireplace Bescheides in which all are listed each house prescribed inspection, sweeping and measuring work, but still the responsibility of the competent for the District authorized chimney sweep and subject to a fixed fee schedule. The authorized Bezirksschornsteinfegermeister is thereby served as a loaned publicly craftsmen on behalf of the state. He receives his district by the Authority for 7 years and must then undergo a re- application process.

Emissions costs or fees

In Germany, the costs depend on the particular task that has been carried out of the chimney sweep. Since 1 January 2013 ( see Section sweeping monopoly) individuals are free to choose freely his chimney sweep and thus negotiate their own prices with the chimney sweep for inspection, sweeping and measuring work. Continues to be a uniform fee schedule shall apply to the so-called sovereign duties of the authorizing district chimney sweep as Neuabnahme of chimneys and fireplaces, the so-called hearth shop about every 3.5 years and the issuance of a fireplace decision. The force since 1 January 2010 KÜO allows chimney sweeps, for the fireplace scene of a stove " work values ​​" on a time basis to invoice.

Provisions in Austria

In Austria, the return periods are handled similarly. Here also the power ( kW) of a fireplace is crucial. In Vienna, this value is 15 kW. So here are the statutory arrangements between one and twelve times per year, with the reversal is only permitted once a year, when the stove is heated less than 25 days (per year).

Training

The training in Germany, Austria and Switzerland will take three years and takes place in the dual education system in vocational schools and training companies in the chimney sweep trade. The practical part of the training takes place mainly in operation, as well as in -company training chambers of craft and the theoretical part of the vocational school. The training content is based on the above-described activities of the profession and differ in Germany and Austria hardly.

Germany

The official name of the education profession by the Crafts Code ( HwO ) is denominated in chimney sweep / in. The training ends with a final examination, which also opens the possibility for additional training to master. A successfully completed master's examination and subsequent entry into the trades are a prerequisite for an independent profession ( the entry in the role can also be effected on the basis of other evidence )

In fact, you can then pursue the profession independently, if you get a sweeping district.

Austria

In contrast to Germany in Austria is the official name according to the Vocational Training Act (BAG ) chimney sweep / in. Apprentices lay at the end from the final exam and can start training from the masters then. For access to the regulated craft of Rauchfangkehrer the master's examination is mandatory in Austria.

Switzerland

The teaching profession is called in Switzerland Kaminfeger EFZ.

Professional associations

In Germany as well as for employees of crafts interest groups:

• For " chimney sweep " the Central Guild Association ( ZIV ) He's employers' association in collective bargaining. Member are all organized in a guild enterprises.
• Workers' organization in the chimney sweep essence is the German Central Association of Chimney Sweeps (ZDS ). He takes union duties.

Both - ZIV and ZDS - offer training and further education opportunities.

Lucky charm

The black men (and women) are in many parts of the world popular as good luck charms. If they touch, 'm lucky ( in the new year ). How long has this symbol of good luck, is not occupied. It is probably connected with the fact that the chimney sweeping formerly protected people far more often than it is today against fires and the consequences of blocked chimneys. ( See also superstition )

Further use of the term

A dark and slightly hairy expression of the cockchafer is referred to as a chimney sweep.