chimney sweeper
Chimney sweep is a skilled trade that deals with the cleaning and control of exhaust systems, fireplaces, smoke exhausts, ventilation systems and the like and that measures limit values for exhaust and combustion gases. Other names are chimney sweep , chimney sweep or chimney sweep , regional and Chimney Sweeper , Schlotfeger or Sottje .
history
Beginnings
It is believed that the origin of the chimney sweeping trade can be found in Italy and that it went hand in hand with the development of the chimney . When the old one-room house , in which the smoke rising from the fireplace had risen into the room or into the attic, was given a false ceiling, a device was needed to divert the annoying and harmful smoke. Chimneys (so-called food ) were built over the fireplace. The smoke that was collected in this way was channeled into a chimney (synonym: chimney ) or through a hole in the wall outside.
Smoke chimneys made of wood and clay gradually became common in farmhouses , probably around the 10th century. For cities such as Trier, Cologne, Strasbourg and Erfurt, the multi-storey building has been proven from the 12th century. There is evidence that there were stone chimneys in Italy in the mid-14th century; in Germany they were probably rare until the 15th century.
Deposited soot and fly ash can clog a chimney and reduce smoke extraction ("bad draft"). Soot and condensed wood tar can cause chimney fires . The heating of the chimney and flying sparks through leaky wall joints (due to soot and subsequent frost breaks ) could ignite dry roof trusses, cobwebs or household items stored there . That's why chimneys had to be cleaned regularly. The chimneys and smoke chimneys were swept by the owner or tenant himself, or he or she hired third parties to do so. There were also traveling craftsmen (e.g. chimney sweeps from northern Italy) who offered their services in Germany.
Fire regulations
Triggered by city fires, the first fire orders or fire orders emerged in the high and late Middle Ages . They were part of the general urban order, occurred increasingly since the 16th century and spread in the 17th century.
The fire regulations were drawn up and published by the sovereign or city authorities. They have occasionally been revised and amended. In some fire regulations, regular sweeping of the chimney was made mandatory. In a document dated August 4, 1578 , the city of Breslau issued sweeping districts for chimney sweeps in the city on the “Newly established fire regulations”.
On April 2, 1727, King Friedrich Wilhelm I of Prussia issued an ordinance that contained regulations for chimneys, the establishment of sweeping areas, the assessment of fireplaces and the liability of the chimney sweep in the event of damage.
Regulations in the German Reich
On June 21, 1869, the trade regulations for the North German Confederation (expanded 2 years later to include the German Empire ) were introduced, in which Section 39 permitted the establishment of sweeping areas for chimney sweeps. The establishment of sweeping districts was therefore an "optional provision"; it was used in very different ways. So there were no uniform standards for the size of the sweeping districts. But sometimes that wasn't enough to make a living from it full-time. Some small communities had the ambition to have a local “own” chimney sweep.
On June 15, 1880, the decree of the Prussian Minister for Trade and Industry regulating chimney sweeps of May 14, 1880 was published in the German Reichsanzeiger. With this decree, the minister fundamentally advocated the sweeping district system for chimney sweeps.
The ministerial decree of February 5, 1907 in Prussia was the legal basis for the formation of the turning districts until 1935. The most important points were:
“For the formation of sweeping districts, the fire police interest alone is decisive. - Sufficient income is required. - The district's ability to monitor forms the boundary. - A check-up based on a dust-book should take place every 5 years. - An applicant list must be drawn up. - Exclusion of secondary trades without express permission. - Collection of sweeping wages only from the homeowner. - The regional presidents can take on fire assistance, fire inspection and building inspection as professional duties. "
In the Weimar Republic, all states made use of the authority to set up sweeping districts; sweeping districts were established everywhere.
On April 13, 1935, the Reich government (by virtue of its legislative power transferred by the Enabling Act ) changed Section 39 of the Trade Regulations, which had been in effect until then, and prescribed the establishment of sweeping districts in the law amending the trade regulations .
On the basis of this law, the Reich Ministry of Economics and the Reich Ministry of the Interior issued the ordinance on chimney sweeps of April 15, 1935 and July 28, 1937. The latter stipulated:
“Maintaining fire safety is in the public interest. All buildings with chimneys and firing systems are therefore subject to mandatory sweeping . The sweeping fee is a public burden on the property. Sweeping work may only be carried out by district chimney sweepers who are employed for certain sweeping districts or their journeymen and apprentices. The district chimney sweep, as a trader, belongs to the trade. He is subject to the supervision and the regulatory penal authority of an authority, but does not have official authority. "
This gave the district chimney sweeps the so-called sweeping monopoly .
Regulations in the post-war period
After the Second World War , Germany was divided into four zones of occupation , in which there were different regulations for chimney sweeps. On January 22nd, 1952, the Federal Law on the Order of the Chimney Sweepers ( Chimney Sweep Law ) was passed for the Federal Republic of Germany (then West Germany ) . In 1969, with the law on chimney sweeps , the old still applicable sections of the trade regulations were repealed. This resulted in uniform regulations for the Federal Republic of Germany with around 8000 sweeping districts. The sweeping monopoly was gradually abolished from 2008.
tasks
Cleaning the chimney
Chimneys in or on buildings are cleaned so that the chimney cross-section remains large enough for the exhaust gases to be extracted. The cross-section can be reduced (up to clogging of the chimney) with leaves, bird, hornet and wasp nests or - in the case of very old chimneys - with age-related damage to the chimney. If this results in an exhaust backlog, exhaust gases can enter the room in which the heater is located. See also carbon monoxide poisoning .
If a lot of soot , especially so-called shiny soot , which is caused by incomplete combustion, is deposited in the chimney and the inner walls of the chimney are heated up strongly (for example through prolonged heating "in one piece"), the hot exhaust gas can ignite the soot ( chimney fire , too Called soot burn).
Under normal conditions, gas does not cause soot in the chimney; Oil, if set correctly, only in marginal amounts. Significant quantities of soot are produced when firing with solid fuels in open chimneys , solid-burning stoves and wood central heating systems through incomplete combustion (see also smoldering ).
Special sweeping devices such as bumpers or shoulder irons are used to remove soot .
Measurements
Carbon monoxide (CO) content
The chimney sweep also checks the carbon monoxide (CO) content in the exhaust gas from fireplaces . Carbon monoxide (or carbon monoxide) is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is highly toxic even in small quantities and can lead to a life-threatening health hazard if it is released into the room air from a content of 1000 ppm (0.1% by volume) escapes. The electronic measuring devices used for the measurement must be checked every six months by an approved inspection body (often in the responsible chimney sweep guild). A quick test for other variables such as carbon dioxide or oxygen used to be carried out using a so-called shaking bone . This technology is now considered out of date.
Exhaust gas loss
As part of the flue gas measurement , the chimney sweep also measures the flue gas loss of a heating system, i.e. the proportion of thermal energy in the fuel that is lost through the chimney unused when operating the fireplace. There are defined limit values for the exhaust gas loss of a heating system, which among other things depend on the performance of the system and compliance with which the chimney sweep checks. In Germany, this is based on the Federal Immission Control Act and the first ordinance on the implementation of the law ( 1st BImSchV ).
However, the exhaust gas loss alone is not a measure of whether a heating system works economically. Other system parameters such as B. the choice of the right heating curve and the annual degree of utilization have a greater influence on the energy efficiency and thus the costs of central heating.
Smoke number (for oil heaters)
In heating systems fired with heating oil, the chimney sweep uses an exhaust gas measurement to determine the smoke number . This is prescribed by the 1st Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV). New measurement intervals have been in effect since March 22, 2010.
Fireplace show
In Austria and Germany, there is a statutory fireplace inspection (also called a fireplace inspection). In Germany, since January 1, 2010, the KÜO (Sweeping and Inspection Ordinance) has been regulating the time intervals and the obligation to have the fireplace show (FSS) carried out across the country; earlier this was regulated by state laws. At the end there is a notice of the fireplace .
The fireplace show is a review of operational and fire safety through personal inspection ( Section 14 and Section 17 (1) SchfHwG). If defects are found, this must be reported to the home owner in writing or electronically.
Fire fighting support
Due to his experience and his local knowledge, the chimney sweep is an important contact person for the fire brigade . That is why he is often called in by the responsible fire service when fighting chimney fires. In Germany, this task was anchored in the chimney sweep law and was one of the duties of chimney sweeps free of charge ( Section 13 (1) No. 7 SchfG). According to the new chimney sweep craft law , every authorized district chimney sweep continues to provide help with fire fighting in his district at the request of the authority responsible for local fire protection (SchfHwG § 16 paragraph 2).
State building law acceptance activities
According to the state building regulations, the authorized district chimney sweep has to certify the safe usability of combustion systems before commissioning. It is checked whether the fireplace may be used in accordance with applicable legal regulations, whether the temperature and pressure conditions in accordance with DIN 13384-1 / 2 are maintained, whether sufficient combustion air can flow in, whether the fire protection and immission control regulations have been complied with, and much more. In most federal states, he also has to certify the suitability of the exhaust system, for example whether the chimney has been installed correctly.
Regulations in Germany
In Germany, around 20,000 people are employed in the chimney sweep trade.
There are two types of chimney sweeps:
- authorized district chimney sweep (bBSF) and
- other chimney sweeps (also called 'free chimney sweeps').
The district chimney sweeps are entrepreneurs hired by the state and act as an authority on the basis of the Administrative Procedure Act. His tasks include the fireplace exhibition (twice within seven years) and the issuing of the fireplace notification according to Section 14 of the Chimney Sweep Trade Act.
Unlike in the past, the owner of a fireplace can now freely choose which chimney sweep to have his chimney sweep and which chimney sweep to take the immission control measurement on his oil heating , gas heating or pellet heating system. The authorized district chimney sweep (BS) according to Section 14 of the Chimney Sweep Crafts Act remains responsible for the fire place inspection and the fire place notification despite the free choice of chimney sweeps. A free choice is not possible due to the authority status according to the Administrative Procedure Act.
Sweeping and inspection regulations
In Germany, since January 1, 2010, a uniform federal ordinance, the Kehr- und Verfungsordnung (KÜO) of June 16, 2009, has been in force. Before that there were sweeping and inspection regulations in the individual federal states. Annex 1 of the KÜO of June 16, 2009 specifies how often in the calendar year which systems must be checked and how often the chimney connected to these systems must be swept. There is definitely a margin of discretion:
- "Fireplaces that are used occasionally" only need to be swept once a year
- “Fireplaces that are used more than occasionally but not regularly” must be swept twice a year
- “Fireplaces used regularly during the normal heating season” three times a year
For example, owners of wood-burning stoves and other solid fuel appliances can tell their chimney sweep that their stove is only used occasionally and arrange for it to be swept only once per calendar year.
The ordinance on small and medium-sized combustion systems (1st BImSchV) determines which systems are measured and how and which limit values must be complied with .
In the event of a violation of the legal provisions, for example:
- lack of delivery of forms
- Failure to initiate the legally stipulated activities
- Refuse to show the fireplace
- Commissioning of fireplaces without building acceptance
the offense can be treated as an administrative offense and punished with a fine as a public burden in the amount of 5,000 to 50,000 € per offense.
Sweeping monopoly
In Germany, the so-called Kehrmonopoly (territorial monopoly of the state) was in effect until December 31, 2012 . It stipulated that homeowners were only allowed to have the legally prescribed activities (sweeping, checks, measurements, assessments) carried out by the respective district chimney sweep. Sweeping monopoly, compulsory sweeping, area monopoly of the district chimney sweep and the level of fees were controversial.
In March 2008, the German federal government decided to loosen the monopoly on sweeping and, in particular, to give EU citizens access to the chimney sweep profession. The draft law is a consequence of the EU infringement proceedings of the European Commission in April 2003. In November 2008, the draft law was passed as a new law regulating the chimney sweep ( Schornsteinfeger-Handwerksgesetz - SchfHwG) .
Since January 1, 2013, house and apartment owners in Germany have been able to choose another registered chimney sweep for certain activities (inspection, sweeping and measuring work), which is no longer bound by the fee schedule for these activities .
Furthermore, only the responsible, authorized district chimney sweep is responsible for a) the acceptance of newly built fireplaces and chimneys, the so-called fireplace inspection, according to a fixed fee schedule and b) the keeping and administration of a dust-book with a list of all fireplaces in the district. The fireplace show should take place no earlier than three and no later than five years after the last fireplace show (§14 SchfHwG). This is followed by the issuing of a fireplace notification in which the inspection, sweeping and measuring work prescribed in the respective house is listed.
The authorized district chimney sweep acts as a publicly hired craftsman on behalf of the state. After the announcement and completion of the selection process by the authority of the municipality, he receives his district for seven years and must then undergo a re-application process.
Chimney sweep costs and fees
In Germany, the costs depend on the respective activities that the chimney sweep has carried out. Since January 1, 2013 (see section on sweeping monopoly), everyone is free to freely choose their chimney sweep and thus negotiate their own prices with the chimney sweep for inspection, sweeping and measuring work. For the so-called sovereign tasks of the authorized district chimney sweep, such as new acceptance of chimneys and fireplaces, the so-called fireplace show twice in 7 years and the issuing of a fireplace notification , a uniform fee schedule still applies . The KÜO, which has been in force since January 1, 2010, allows chimney sweeps to invoice “labor values” according to the time required for the fireplace inspection of a fireplace.
Regulations in Austria
In Austria, the sweeping periods are handled similarly. The power (kW) of a fireplace is also decisive here. In Vienna this value is 15 kW. The legally prescribed reversals are between once and twelve times a year, whereby the reversal once a year is only permitted if the fireplace is heated for less than 25 days (per year).
education
The training in Germany, Austria and Switzerland lasts three years and takes place in the dual training system at vocational schools and in training companies of the chimney sweep trade. The practical part of the training takes place predominantly in the company, as well as in the inter-company training of the chambers of crafts and the theoretical part at the vocational school. The training content is based on the activities of the profession described above and hardly differs in Germany and Austria.
Germany
The official designation of the training occupation according to the craft regulations ( HwO ) is chimney sweep . The training ends with the journeyman's examination , which also opens up the possibility of further training to become a master. A successfully completed master craftsman's examination and the subsequent entry in the trade register are the prerequisites for independent professional practice (the entry in the role can also be based on other evidence).
In fact, you can practice the profession independently, even if you have not been given a sweeping district , but then you are not allowed to carry out sovereign activities.
Austria
In contrast to Germany, the official designation in Austria according to the Vocational Training Act (BAG) is Rauchfangkehrer / in . At the end of the day, apprentices take their final apprenticeship examination and can then begin their master craftsman training. In Austria, the master craftsman's examination is mandatory for access to the regulated chimney sweep trade.
Switzerland
The apprenticeship in Switzerland is called chimney sweep EFZ .
Professional associations
In Germany there are interest groups for workers in the skilled trades :
- Central Guild Association, Federal Association of Chimney Sweepers , (ZIV) It is the employers' association in collective bargaining . All companies organized in a guild are members .
- The workers' association in the chimney sweep is the Central Association of German Chimney Sweeps (ZDS). He performs union duties.
Both - ZIV and ZDS - offer further training opportunities.
Lucky charm
In large parts of the world, black men and women are popularly regarded as good luck charms . If you touch it, you are lucky (in the new year).
It is not known since when this lucky symbol has existed. It is probably related to the fact that chimney sweeps protected people from fires and the consequences of clogged chimneys.
Others
- In Santa Maria Maggiore ( Valle Vigezzo , Piedmont, Italy) there is a chimney sweep monument and a chimney sweep museum in memory of the children from the valley who were sent (i.e. often sold) to Milan in the 19th century to close the chimneys of the houses there cleaning, and an annual chimney sweep meeting, usually on the first weekend in September.
- Sooty Times is an entertainment television series ( Bayerischer Rundfunk ).
- A dark and not very hairy expression of the cockchafer is called a chimney sweep .
literature
- Christian Behling: The German chimney sweep - a monopoly in Europe · The compatibility of the old and new regulations of the German chimney sweep under European law . Kovac, Hamburg 2010, ISBN 978-3-8300-4690-5
- Chimney sweep guild Braunschweig (Hrsg.): Chronicle 1706-2006 - 300 years chimney sweep guild in Braunschweig . Braunschweig 2006
- Central Guild Association of the Chimney Sweep Crafts (Ed.): 100 Years of the Central Guild Association of the Chimney Sweep Crafts 1884–1984 . Düsseldorf 1984, DNB 850215773
- Christian Schmahl: Chimney sweep trade in the European environment (PDF; 1.5 MB). In: GAS - magazine for energy saving and building technology, year 2006, issue 2, pp. 20–23
Web links
Germany
- Federal Association of Chimney Sweepers (Germany)
- Law on professional law and supply in the chimney sweep trade
- Federal Sweeping and Inspection Ordinance - KÜO Ordinance on the sweeping and inspection of systems of June 16, 2009
- Stiftung Warentest : Chimney sweep: That brings the end of the monopoly , test.de from March 29, 2012, accessed on March 2, 2015
- Statement by the Federation of Energy Consumers on compulsory repayment
Austria
- Heat engineering society of chimney sweeps
- Job and industry information Chimney sweepers for trainers and apprentices of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce
- Training and advanced training information for chimney sweeps from the Institute for Economic Research: BerufsInformationsComputer (BIC)
Switzerland
Individual evidence
- ^ Reichsgesetzblatt 1935, Part I, p. 508
- ^ Reichsgesetzblatt 1935, Part I, p. 515
- ^ Reichsgesetzblatt 1937, Part I, p. 831
- ↑ Chimney sweeps during the Nazi era ( Memento from November 20, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
- ^ Gerhard Wagner: History of the chimney and the chimney sweep trade from IX. to XX. Century . Düsseldorf 1987, p. 11 ff.
- ↑ The chimney sweep law - a historical review . ( Memento of the original from December 20, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 132 kB)
- ↑ Examples of defects from chimney sweep practice. on: schornsteinfeger-maengel.de
- ↑ The fire brigade in chimney fires, Marburg fire brigade (p. 19/20) (PDF; 827 kB)
- ↑ a b Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology: A perspective for the chimney sweep - Cabinet decides to reorganize the chimney sweep. ( Memento of the original from March 19, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. March 12, 2008
- ^ Criticism of the sweeping monopoly on: kontra-schornsteinfeger.de
- ↑ Saving energy by measuring exhaust gas from the thermal bath, keeping the air clean, measuring pollutant emissions . ( Memento of the original from February 28, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Flue gas measurement chimney sweep Vienna
- ↑ Training Ordinance Germany, valid since February 1997
- ↑ Law on the chimney sweep (Schornsteinfegergesetz - SchfG) September 15, 1969
- ↑ 75th Ordinance of the Federal Minister for Economics and Labor: ... the entry requirements for the chimney sweep trade (chimney sweep ordinance) . ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 42 kB) valid since 1997
- ↑ Requirements - Chimney sweep regulation ( Federal Law Gazette II No. 75/2003 ) of the Austrian Ministry of Economics, valid since 2003
- ↑ Why do chimney sweeps bring luck? ( Memento from December 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ museospazzacamino.it: Museo dello Spazzacamino
