Always rembember to maintain your heating appliance and chimney -'Clean Chimneys Are Safer Chimneys'. If burning wood, logs, coal or smokeless coal always keep the fuel dry - prior to burning.

Chimney Pots/Cowls & Terminals

THE CORRECT FLUE TERMINATION is essential to ensure that your heating appliance (Solid Fuel / Gas or Oil) is able to work properly and safely. All appliances need to be able to 'breathe' in and out. There are numerous types and designs of chimney pots and cowls that can be fitted. Some are made of terracotta whilst other cowls may be manufactured from stainless steel or galvanised metallic designs.

SAFETY NOTE the chimney top – pot / cowl or terminal must be compatible with your heating appliance. Always check with your appliance manufacturer (or instructions if available) installer or consult your NACS Chimney Sweep who will assist and may offer a supply and fitting service.

Below are examples of Cowls & Terminals for Gas, Oil & Solid Fuel Chimneys

Remember a blocked flue can kill and the exclusion of air will put out a fire.

Warning the chimney termination covers below are only designed for disused flues. They are not approved for gas, oil or solid fuel.

These types of terminals are disgned to give ventilation to unused chimneys only. They should not be fitted to chimneys that have working gas, oil or solid fuel fires or boilers, as they slow the escape of the fumes from the chimney and could cause smoke and carbon monoxide to enter occupied rooms. If you have one of these fitted to your chimney ensure it is removed if you wish to use the chimney.

Responsibilities for the maintenance of chimneys

Any person that uses flued appliances has a responsibility to maintain the appliance and flue. It is often stated that people should take reasonable care within the terms of household insurance policies and in the instance of thatched properties, the frequency of weeping required is often specified by the insurers.

Landlords have a duty of care to their tenants and are required:

To repair and keep in working order, any room heater and water heating equipment.
Fire statistics show that in England in 2008-2009, there were 8,149 accidental chimney fires. This is a reversal of the downward trend in previous years and highlights the importance of chimney fire safety.