ᐅ Assembling a Fireplace Kit Yourself Using Online Instructions

Hello,

I was planning to buy a fireplace kit, install it myself, and then have it inspected and approved by my chimney sweep. That’s how some of my friends did it.
I have a controlled mechanical ventilation system and intended to connect a differential pressure switch and integrate it with the ventilation system. The total cost, including finishing the wall for an independent air supply fireplace, would be about 5,000€.

Now, my chimney sweep told me this is no longer allowed and that he wouldn’t approve the fireplace. He insists that it must be installed by a certified professional. Well... I’ve requested quotes, and they range from about 14,000 to 18,000€, which is definitely too expensive.

Are there really legal regulations that forbid self-installation? If so, why are such kits still widely sold online?

Can I ask another chimney sweep about this? The first one already performed the inspection during the shell construction phase.

Thanks in advance for your experiences and help!

Best regards,
Alex

For the initial inspection, you need the district chimney inspector; you have no choice in this, even if someone else claims otherwise. If they say they won’t approve it, then they won’t. If you argue with them, they are even less likely to approve it.

Our wood stove also had to be installed by a professional. The craftsman registry with the chamber of commerce had to include the trade "chimney builder," whatever that exactly means. The chimney inspector required a specialist contractor’s declaration, which only this "chimney builder" is allowed to issue. In addition, there is the volumetric flow calculation, which the chimney builder also handles.
And a certificate from the electrician confirming that the pressure monitor was installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Good question, the inspection is carried out by the chimney sweep of the district. If they say no, it means no.

Since everyone has their own districts, the other one will refer you back to yours.

Even if there were no regulations, during the inspection the district chimney sweep is practically "the authority." For example, if you have a fireplace certified as air-independent and theoretically don’t need a pressure monitor, they can still insist on it.

Yes, that’s probably how it will be, and I’ll have to do without a fireplace. With that money, I can heat for ages. I just find it ridiculous... The chimney sweep carries out the inspection and checks whether the fireplace can be operated properly. Then it really shouldn’t matter to them who installed it, as long as it works as it should. If a professional company installs it and takes responsibility for proper operation, signing off on it, then I would only need the fireplace installer for cleaning.

Well, I don’t think that’s how it works. It’s simply absurd.

Zaba12 schrieb:

...
Even if there were no regulations, the district chimney sweep is practically like "God" during the inspection. For example, if you have a flue that is certified as room air-independent and theoretically wouldn't require a pressure monitor, they can still insist on it.

Yes, that's exactly it. There are specially certified room air-independent fireplaces, but you're still not allowed to have exhaust ventilation in the kitchen, you have to install a pressure monitor, and the whole installation must be carried out by a professional company. Once finished, an expert has to come and inspect everything to ensure that the specialists performed the work correctly and according to standards. In the future, it may even become mandatory to hire a professional annually to review the chimney builder’s work or to document exactly which type of wood is being burned.

Well... I think I’ll just leave it at that and not get upset about it anymore. That’s simply how things are in Germany.

EDIT: And just 10 km (6 miles) away in another district, a different chimney sweep allows many more things and possibilities.

My architect warned me for a good reason to coordinate the fireplace and chimney with the local chimney inspector before applying for the building permit / planning permission. I was a bit careless and only discussed the cleaning aspect, whether from the outside or inside.

Since our fireplace is certified as room-air-independent, I always assumed that I wouldn’t need a pressure monitor, until I heard from a user here that such a certification doesn’t matter to the chimney inspector at all.

Fortunately, our chimney inspector is flexible and accepts the certification (Schiedel chimney with fireplace cassette).