Sweeps Criteria

Experience: All sweeps registered through Sweep Safe will have considerable industry experience.

Assessment: All Sweep Safe Sweeps have been assessed within the first three months of joining by ourselves unless they have passed an assessment previously with GMCS, NACS or Apics

Mandatory refresher training: All Sweeps on the Sweep safe register must retrain and pass an assessment every five years or less.

Complaints procedure. It is expected of all sweep Safe sweeps to have a Complaints procedure in place.

Insurance: All sweep safe sweeps must carry a public liability policy of two million pounds as a minimum. Those sweeps carrying out camera inspections and or pressure/soundness testing must carry professional indemnity insurance for the type of work they undertake prior to being listed for those services.

Sweeping: All chimneys are to be swept with a suitable abrasive method which is adequate to remove the products of combustion wherever possible. There is no vacuum only method of chimney cleaning. The vacuum is used for dust control and clean up.

Cleanliness: It is expected of Sweep Safe Sweeps to carry enough clean dust sheets for their days work. Suitable opening sealing must always be carried and utilised to contain soot and debris wherever possible.

Soot: Soot shall be bagged up, sealed and disposed of in a conscientious manner.

Personal protective equipment: In today’s modern society health and safety is paramount, your sweep will have adequate ppe to protect themselves, typically a p3 mask, coveralls and gloves. Some sweeps use pumped filter masks that look like a space suit. The days of Mary Poppins are gone.

Certificates: All sweep safe members must issue a sweep safe sweeping certificate upon completion of each sweeping job.

ID cards. All Sweep Safe members must Carry an official picture ID card