Bezirksschornsteinfeger werden

Fireplace inspections, acceptance of installations and sweeping records may only be carried out by the authorized district chimney sweep.

The tasks of the authorized district chimney sweeps range from the initial inspection when installing or modifying firing systems, carrying out the fireplace inspection (which takes place approximately every 3.5 years) and issuing the fireplace certificate as well as monitoring the scheduling of the chimney sweeping work to be carried out.

These "sovereign tasks" are reserved exclusively for the authorized district chimney sweep.

The chimney sweeping work to be carried out on the basis of the fireplace notice ("non-sovereign tasks") may only be carried out by qualified chimney sweeps.
Anyone who is authorized to do so can be entered in the chimney sweep register of the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control. Here, owners can find out whether the company they wish to commission to carry out chimney sweeping work is authorized to do so.

To commission chimney sweeping work, the chimney sweeping company must be provided with a copy of the chimney sweeping certificate.

Fees are charged for the sovereign activities of the authorized district chimney sweep in accordance with the federal sweeping and inspection fee regulations or the state building fee regulations. Detailed information on this can be obtained from the responsible supervisory authority.
The costs for chimney sweeping work commissioned on the basis of the fireplace notice must be agreed directly with the chimney sweeping company (no "sovereign fees").

The intervals for the chimney sweeping work to be carried out are specified in the chimney sweeping notice. You will receive this notice from your sweeping district.

Since January 2013, you have been able to freely choose your own chimney sweep for all non-sovereign tasks. Those who are authorized to carry out this work can be viewed in a chimney sweep register set up by the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA).

• With regard to the "sovereign tasks" to your authorized district chimney sweep (district owner).
  If you do not know who your district holder is, the administration of your district or independent city - as the supervisory authority for the authorized district chimney sweeps - will provide information on this.
  
• Regarding the "non-sovereign tasks" to a chimney sweep company.