Do you have a fireplace, wood-burning stove or gas boiler at home? Then by law you are required to have your chimney cleaned, and unfortunately many property owners do not know exactly how this works. This article provides a clear answer to the most important questions: how often it must be done, who is responsible, and what risks you face if you neglect it.
What the law says, Decree No. 34/2016 Coll.
The basic legal standard is Decree of the Ministry of the Interior No. 34/2016 Coll. On cleaning, inspection and overhaul of flue gas passages. It precisely determines how often you must have your chimney cleaned and inspected, depending on the fuel you burn.
| Fuel type / appliance | Cleaning | Inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Solid fuels (wood, coal, pellets): output up to 50 kW | Twice a year | 1× a year |
| Solid fuels: output over 50 kW | 4 times a year | Twice a year |
| Gaseous fuel (natural gas, propane): output up to 50 kW | 1× a year | 1× a year |
| Gaseous fuel: output exceeding 50 kW | Twice a year | Twice a year |
| Liquid fuels (diesel, fuel oil): up to 50 kW | 1× a year | 1× a year |
| Appliance for flue gas condensation | 1× a year | 1× a year |
Practical abbreviation: Wood or coal stove/fireplace = cleaning twice a year. Gas boiler = once a year. If you combine fuels, the stricter requirement applies.
Who is responsible for arranging cleaning: the owner or the tenant?
The obligation to clean the flue and have documentation of this always lies with the building's owners' association (SVJ). the building or flat owner. If you are a tenant, it depends on the wording of the tenancy agreement, but if the agreement says nothing, the owner is primarily responsible.
In practice, this means that if you are the owner of a detached house or an apartment with your own chimney, you are personally responsible for complying with statutory deadlines.
When is a revision (not just cleaning) required?
Chimney inspection is a different matter from regular cleaning. You must arrange an inspection in the following cases:
- Before first putting the flue gas path into operation
- After every chimney renovation or repair
- When changing fuel or replacing an appliance
- After a chimney fire (mandatory safety inspection)
- When concluding an insurance contract for a property (insurance companies are increasingly requiring it)
The result of the inspection is inspection report - a document bearing the stamp and signature of a competent person, i.e., a chimney sweep with the relevant qualification.
Do you need a chimney inspection or cleaning? Call us. I'll arrange a time quickly and provide the protocol within 24 hours.
Call 277 278 918Fines for non-compliance: how much are you risking?
Act No. 133/1985 Coll. On fire protection imposes a fine of up to 10 000 Kč for an individual and up to 25 000 Kč for a self-employed individual or legal entity for failure to comply with fire prevention obligations, which includes the unfulfilled chimney cleaning requirement.
However, this is by no means the greatest risk. A bigger problem arises with the insurance company.
What happens to your insurance if you don't clean your chimney?
If a fire occurs due to a neglected flue and you cannot provide a protocol for regular cleaning, The insurance company has the right to reduce or completely refuse payment.This situation occurs in practice, and the repair costs after a fire can amount to hundreds of thousands of Kč.
The chimney sweep's protocol is therefore, in the literal sense of the word, an insurance policy.
How to plan chimney cleaning?
The simplest approach:
- In spring (April–May): after the heating season, remove winter deposits
- In autumn (September–October): before the heating season, prepare the chimney for winter operation
For a gas boiler, one cleaning per year is sufficient: ideally in autumn before heating season begins.
I recommend booking the appointment in your calendar or fixing it, for example, always on the first Monday in October and the first Monday in April. This will ensure you do not forget it.
Summary
Legal obligations are not complicated: the key is to know what fuel you burn and adhere to the appropriate cleaning frequency accordingly. A regular protocol protects you from both fines and complications with your insurer. And last but not least: a clean chimney is a safer chimney.
Do you have questions or need to arrange cleaning in Praha? Contact me or call us on 277 278 918.