Assemble fireplace kit yourself via the Internet

Hello,

actually, I had planned to get a chimney kit, set it up myself, and then have my chimney sweep carry out the inspection. At least, that’s how some of my friends have done it.
I have a controlled residential ventilation system and would connect a differential pressure monitor and couple it with the controlled residential ventilation. The costs would then be around €5,000 including plastering for the room air-independent fireplace.

Now my chimney sweep said that this is no longer allowed and that he would not approve the chimney. He demands that a specialist company carries it out. Well... I have obtained quotes that are around €14,000-18,000 and that is definitely too much money.

Are there really legal regulations that prescribe that you are no longer allowed to set it up yourself? If so, why are such kits sold in such variety on the internet?

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

Thank you very much in advance for your experiences and help!

Best regards
Alex

For the initial acceptance, you need the district chimney sweep, you have no choice, even if someone here will immediately claim otherwise. If he says he won't accept it, then he won't accept it. If you act stupid towards him, he definitely won't accept it.

Our wood stove also had to be connected by a professional, the craft roll "Kaminbauer" had to be registered with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), whatever that may mean. And the chimney sweep wanted a specialist contractor declaration, which only this "Kaminbauer" is allowed to issue. In addition, there is the volume flow calculation, which the chimney builder also does for you. And a statement from the electrician 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 he says no, he means no.

Since everyone has their own districts, the other one will refer you back to your own.
Even if there were no regulations, the district chimney sweep is basically "God" during the inspection, meaning if you had a chimney that is air-independent certified and you theoretically don't need a pressure monitor, he can still insist on it.

Yes, that's probably the case and I have to do without a chimney. For that money, I can heat for ages. I just find it ridiculous.... the chimney sweep does the inspection and checks whether the chimney can be operated properly. Then he shouldn't really care who installed it, as long as it works as it should. If a specialist company installs it and assumes liability and signs for the proper operation, then I only need the chimney builder for sweeping.

Well, but I don't think that's how it is. Simply absurd

... Even if there were no regulations, the district chimney sweep is practically "God" during the inspection, meaning if you had a chimney certified as air-independent and theoretically wouldn’t need a pressure monitor, he can still insist on it.

yes, that’s exactly it. There are specially certified room air-independent chimneys, but you still aren’t allowed to have any exhaust air in the kitchen, must connect a pressure monitor, and the whole thing must then be done by a specialist company. And when you’re finished, an expert has to come and inspect everything to see if the specialist companies have carried out the work correctly and professionally. Maybe in the future, you’ll even have to hire a professional annually who then inspects the chimney builder’s work or you have to document exactly how and which wood you burn. Well... I think I’ll just leave it and not get upset about it anymore. That’s just how it is in Germany.

EDIT: and 10 km away in another district, much more is allowed and possible with another chimney sweep

My architect did not warn me without reason to coordinate the chimney and the flue with the district chimney sweep before the building permit. I also approached it half-heartedly and only coordinated the cleaning issue, either from the outside or from the inside.

Since our chimney is certified as room air-independent, I always assumed that I did not need a pressure monitor, until I heard from a user here that such a certification is of no concern to the chimney sweep.

Fortunately, our chimney sweep is liberal; the certification (Schiedel chimney with fireplace cassette) is sufficient for him.