Smoke Test

Smoke Test

A chimney Smoke Test is used to check that the flue will not leak potentially dangerous gasses into rooms above or an adjacent property.

A Smoke Test involves lighting an appropriate number of smoke pellets into the fireplace. As the smoke begins to evacuate the terminal and opening are sealed and the full length of the flue is visually inspected for leaks. This type of test is very subjective and human error is a significant factor; some leaks are too small to see. The tester requires access to all floors including loft spaces and adjacent properties. This can be problematic in shared properties.

We advise combining a Smoke Test with specialist equipment to test the leakge of the flue, a professional device measures the exact leakage of the flue without human error. Air is pumped into the flue and the device measures how much air, if any, is leaking out. A reading of the allowable leakage rate and actual leakage rates are produced - this provides the information needed to establish a pass or fail.