Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Chimney sweep (m/f)

Duration of traineeship

The venues for training delivery are the training company and the vocational school.

Field of activity

Chimney sweeps are employed in four main areas of activity:

• fire prevention,
• safety,
• environmental protection,
• counselling. In addition to cleaning, sweeping and checking domestic and industrial fireplaces and furnaces, gas appliances, joining pieces, gas extraction plants and ventilation plants, chimney sweeps also measure and check emissions for compliance with the requirements of environmental and climate protection and the rational use of energy.

Occupational skills

Chimney sweeps are qualified, through their initial vocational training, to carry out the following duties in an independent manner and in compliance with the requirements of quality assurance and health and safety at the workplace.

• handle tools, measuring and testing devices;
• test the functioning, operating safety and fire safety of technical apparatus and installations in furnace rooms, and apparatus and rooms for storing fuel and fuelling furnaces;
• develop proposals for obviating hazards and rectifying operating malfunctions;
• check technical apparatus and installations with a view to energy saving and environmental protection;
• analyse; evaluate and document the test findings;
• identify defects and operating malfunctions; assess and document such malfunctions;
• and take immediate action, on his/her own responsibility, to obviate danger to human life and the environment;
• sweep, clean and check furnace plant, ventilation plant and similar installations in compliance with statutory protection and safety requirements;
• document the actual and nominal status of technical plant and installations;
• counsel clients on technical matters relating to furnaces, environmental protection and climate protection, observing neutrality with regard to manufacturers.

5. Particular requirements:

The areas of activity of a chimney sweep are laid down in federal legislation (Chimney Sweep Act). Chimney sweeps carry out their duties in the public interest. Major importance is attached in their work to implementing the provisions of construction law, fire protection regulations, environmental and climate protection regulations and regulations on the rational use of energy.

Last modified on: December 12, 2006